LIVE OAK, FLA., JUNE 20, 2025 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) is currently accepting applications for conservation land acquisition projects for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning October 1. Project applications are due July 31.
The District acquires lands for flood control, water quality protection, water supply sustainability, and natural resource conservation. Most District land purchases are located along rivers, streams, headwaters, and water recharge areas. The acquisition of these lands prevents potential harmful impacts that could be caused by future development and helps the District in its mission to protect and preserve the water resources of North Central Florida.
The District's primary focus is the purchase of conservation easements. Easements allow landowners to maintain ownership of their property while the District purchases the land use rights prohibiting residential and/or commercial development and other land use rights that may impact natural resources.
Land purchases are prioritized based on several factors, including to the extent which the lands provide protection for water resources, such as springs, wetlands and streams; provide flood protection; may support water resource development projects; are adjacent to other District lands; or enhance current land management activities.
Applications that meet the District’s primary objectives will be ranked by the Governing Board. Funding is limited and only top-ranked land projects will be pursued. Applications that do not meet the District’s primary focus areas for acquisition will not be pursued.
Applicants are required to provide a per-acre asking price on the application. Acquisitions are based on the appraised value of a piece of property, with the District typically offering around 90% of the appraised value.
Residents interested in the District's lands program must apply by July 31, for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 funding year. Applications will be accepted after that date but will only be considered for future funding cycles.
Interested parties can visit https://srwmd.org/73/Acquisition for more information or to submit an application.
The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.
For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
###