Pasco County Completes 1,893-Acre Ranch Purchase

Pasco County purchased the 1,893-acre 4G Ranch north of Land O' Lakes, marking the county's largest land acquisition. The Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services each funded half the purchase.

The ranch creates an ecological corridor connecting the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Conner Preserve to Pinellas County's Crossbar/Al Bar Ranch. The property allows wildlife to move freely between habitats and reduces vehicle-wildlife collisions through an undercrossing on State Road 52.

Board Chair Jack Mariano said the purchase slows development and protects wildlife. Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson called the project a model of state, local, and private cooperation to preserve agricultural land and natural resources.

For information on county conservation efforts, visit mypas.co/ELAMP.