Florida Just Added a Brand-New State Forest—And It’s a Big One

Florida’s wilderness just got wilder. The state has officially added a massive 12,243-acre property in Bay County to its public lands—now known as Sandy Creek State Forest, making it the newest addition to Florida’s state forest system.

Announced last week by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the acquisition is a major win for conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental resilience in Northwest Florida. The land, previously part of the Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project, was secured through the Florida Forever Program, which has helped protect hundreds of thousands of acres across the state.

“With the creation of Sandy Creek State Forest, we’re not only preserving vital ecosystems and expanding wildlife habitat but also connecting conservation lands from Eglin Air Force Base to Apalachicola National Forest,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert.” This new state forest will offer meaningful public access while protecting the natural resources that make our state so special.”  

This newly protected area is more than just pretty woods—it’s critical to Florida’s future. The forest will help safeguard the St. Andrew Bay Watershed, improving water quality and reducing flood risks for surrounding communities. It also connects important conservation lands, creating a corridor that stretches from Eglin Air Force Base to Apalachicola National Forest—a dream scenario for wildlife advocates and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Sandy Creek is home to a range of rare and threatened species, including gopher tortoises, Florida black bears, the reticulated flatwoods salamander, and even the rare dark-headed hatpins flower. It features a mix of longleaf pine forests, wetlands, and low-lying floodplains that make it ecologically diverse and vital to the state’s conservation strategy.

Once opened to the public, the new state forest will provide opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and environmental education, with management handled by the Florida Forest Service. The land also plays a major role in the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape, a regional conservation initiative, and falls within the fast-growing Florida Wildlife Corridor.

“The Florida Forest Service is eager to add Sandy Creek State Forest to its conservation efforts alongside our stewardship of 38 other state forests,” said Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Florida currently has over 1 million acres of state forest land, protecting some of the state’s most valuable natural resources.” 

The acquisition was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet earlier this year at 97% of its appraised value, and is part of the state’s push to remain a national leader in land conservation.

Since 2019, Florida has invested over $1.4 billion into the Florida Forever Program, with $950 million specifically dedicated to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. That funding has enabled the protection of over 374,000 acres, with 91% of those lands falling inside the corridor’s footprint.

For those who live in or plan to visit the Panhandle, Sandy Creek State Forest promises to become one of the must-see natural destinations—a place where Florida’s wild heart still beats strong.