Orange Hammock Ranch
The Story
In 2020, Big Waters Land Trust helped protect forever the 5,777-acre Orange Hammock Ranch after decades of community advocacy. Located in the City of North Port, Orange Hammock Ranch was identified by Sarasota County in 1998 as a critical natural protection area. In 2014, Big Waters added it to the State's Florida Forever list of land acquisition priorities. In 2020, the State of Florida purchased the ranch for $21 million using $19.5 million from Florida Forever and $1.5 million Big Waters raised with the support of their conservation community. Orange Hammock Ranch is now managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a Wildlife Management Area.
Why it Matters
Orange Hammock Ranch connects RV Griffin Preserve with the Longino Preserve through about six miles of shared boundaries. Protecting this land increases the buffer surrounding the Myakka River and strengthens the connection between the Myakka and Peace Rivers. Immense volumes of rainfall collect on the property and feed the Snover Waterway and RV Griffin reservoirs, both of which are critical sources of North Port’s clean drinking water. The property is also nearly pristine, with natural areas in better condition than many public lands. Over 200 wetlands are intermixed with pine flatwood, globally-imperiled dry prairie and other native habitat. Given this location and exceptional natural condition, the protection of Orange Hammock Ranch has sweeping benefits for regional connectivity, water quality, public recreation, and wildlife habitat. This vast land is home to quail, indigo snake and the Florida black bear. Importantly, the property is connected with over 130,000 acres of protected land, making it viable habitat for Florida panther, which are now breeding in nearby Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area.
Open to the public seven days a week with numerous opportunities for biking, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Just the Facts
5,777
acres
Date Acquired
2020
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection purchased the property for $21 million using $1.5 million Big Waters raised with the community’s help and $19.5 million from Florida Forever
- The ranch is managed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission as a Wildlife Management Area
- Over 200 acres of wetlands intermixed with pine flatwood, globally-imperiled dry prairie, and other native habitat
