Seminole County Applauds as State of Florida Adds Yarborough Ranch to Florida Forever Program

Seminole County, FL (March 26, 2024) — The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners celebrated today as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Board of Trustees approved the addition of the Yarborough Ranch property in Geneva to the Florida Forever list to be acquired by the State for conservation. This the first addition of a Seminole County property to Florida Forever.

Formerly a cattle ranch, the property's 1,361 acres will serve as an important component of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide network of interconnected lands and waters that sustain wildlife, including imperiled species like the Florida black bear. It will also protect the Econlockhatchee River and Geneva Freshwater Lens, which provides drinking water for county residents. 

"I would like to thank Seminole County staff, my fellow commissioners, and the public for their patience during this process," said Seminole County Chairman Jay Zembower. "It really has been a great accomplisment. The property will be a great asset for the State and for generations to come."

"Thank you to the Board of County Commissioners, our Parks and Recreation staff, and the Yarborough family and their representatives for their roles in protecting this environmentally and historically significant piece of Seminole County land," said Seminole County Manager Darren Gray.

The land will be managed by the Florida Forest Service as part of the Little Big Econ State Forest.