New $10 million grant aims to protect Lake Wales Ridge from development

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — As development continues across Polk County, a new $10 million federal grant aims to protect thousands of acres of environmentally important land along the Lake Wales Ridge. Wildlands Conservation Inc., an environmental nonprofit, received the federal grant to help preserve land along the ridge, which is home to some of Florida's rarest plants and wildlife. Watch report from Rebecca Petit: New $10 million grant aims to protect Lake Wales Ridge from development The $10 million award will match a similar amount from county and state land protection programs. Collectively, there will be over $20 million in funding and resources dedicated by the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The five-year conservation effort aims to protect between 3,500 and 5,000 acres. For Diane Starling, protecting the land is personal. Her family has raised cattle on her property for generations, and she wants to make sure it remains undeveloped. "I want to just save everything we can save. I don’t want developers coming in here and building on this lake, and I know that’s what they’ll do," Starling said. Starling said she's been working for three years to place her property and nearby land under a conservation easement, which can permanently restrict development while allowing landowners to retain ownership. WFTS She has also encouraged her neighbors and friends to consider ways to help preserve the area. "I talk to my neighbors, I talk to my friends. If we can do something, each person, if you can just do a little something to try to save it," Starling said. Why the Lake Wales Ridge matters Wildlands Conservation Executive Director Dave Sumpter said the Lake Wales Ridge is home to a unique collection of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. "The Lake Wales Ridge, it is completely unique on the planet and has a unique assembly of plants and animals that occur nowhere else on the planet," Sumpter said. As development expands, conservationists are working to protect natural habitats and maintain connections between properties so wildlife can continue moving through the region. Preserving the land also plays an important role in protecting Florida's water resources. "This whole Lake Wales Ridge system is a recharge area for the Everglades, which is critical to the health and sustenance of Florida's hydrology and water quality," Sumpter said. The conservation effort is expected to begin in 2027 and will focus on identifying priority properties for protection. Share Your Story with Rebecca Rebecca Petit is dedicated to telling your stories from every corner of Polk County. She knows how growth has been a major discussion point for the area, and the impact it’s had on some of our most vulnerable populations. You can connect with Rebecca by using the form below. Contact Rebecca Petit First Name Last Name Email Phone Subject Body I'm not a robot Submit . HOA said yes, but the CDD says no: Sun City Center homeowners ordered to remove backyard fences For years, homeowners in one Hillsborough County neighborhood had fences around their backyards — fences that were approved by their homeowners' association. But now, another organization with government powers says some of those fences are blocking drainage easements and have to go, at the owners' expense. Sun City Fences Latest Lakeland-Polk from Tampa Bay 28 Packed house, big questions over Auburndale data center proposal Chad Mills Polk County teachers set to receive $3,700 pay increase after referendum passes Rebecca Petit Auburndale could be getting a major data center: Here's what we know Chad Mills Father of Meghan Markle to be released under house arrest in Lakeland Scott Sutton and Associated Press