Florida county pays $7.8m for 625-acre ranch, stopping 52-home development
Collier County, Florida, has agreed to purchase a 625-acre cattle ranch for $7.8 million to prevent a planned 52-home residential development. The acquisition aims to preserve the land's ecological value and wildlife habitat.
Why it matters
This deal demonstrates the use of public funds for land conservation to curb urban sprawl and protect local ecosystems.
A 625-acre cattle ranch in Collier County, Florida, is set to take a different path after county officials agreed to move forward with its acquisition rather than see the property move towards a large-lot residential development. According to Gulfshore Business, the county agreed to pursue the property for about $7.8 million following roughly two years of negotiations with its owner. The acquisition is intended to prevent plans for 52 ranchettes, each covering about 10 acres, along Oil Well Road. A 2023 Collier County Conservation Collier Initial Criteria Screening Report found that Wildflowerz Ranch scored 331 out of 400 in the county’s conservation assessment, reflecting its ecological value, wildlife habitat and connectivity.Ranch was facing a 52-lot developmentWildflowerz Ranch is located along Oil Well Road, east of State Road 29, in eastern Collier County.
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