Disney Wilderness Preserve Hosts DeSantis Signing
According to an announcement released today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited the Disney Wilderness Preserve earlier this month. Situated outside of Kissimmee, DeSantis used the environemental sanctuary to set the scene for the signing of Bill 796, creating the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act earlier this month.
The 11,500-acre space preserves Walt Disney’s incredible dedication to nature, so it’s no wonder that DeSantis chose this space for the signing, which hopes to protect Florida’s native wildlife and lands.
Image Credit: The Nature Conservancy
Environmental Impact of the Act
“The purpose of this act, and of the Florida wildlife corridor itself, is to create incentives for conservation and sustainable development while sustaining and conserving the green infrastructure that is the foundation of this state’s economy and quality of life,” according to the legal document.
Image Credit: The Nature Conservancy
With an ever-growing population, moves like this seem critical to state leaders to preserve natural habits for a vast number of species, including the Florida Panther.
Image Credit: fws.gov
The preserve gained acclaim due to its sustainability model as well as its conservation management system.
Image Credit: The Nature Conservancy
The preserve plays host to more than 1,000 species of animals and plants. The bulk of the space once started as a cattle ranch on the land, which sits at the Greater Everglades watershed head.
Image Credit: The Sierra Club
The Walt Disney Company works with the State of Florida as well as The Nature Conservancy to develop the land with the Conservancy responsible for its management. In the 1990s, the groups worked to detour a housing development on the land.
“The transfer also helped mitigate future impact associated with the development of Walt Disney World. The Walt Disney Co. provided funds for restoration and wildlife monitoring on the property and continues to partner on a number of on-site projects,” according to The Nature Conservancy website. “In 1995, the greater Orlando Aviation Authority added an additional 3,000 acres to mitigate for airport expansion, bringing the preserve to its current size.”
The actions taken by the governor in signing the bill will certainly help the land and its advocates. The bill hopes to protect major watersheds in the state, including the Everglades. It also provides funds to sustain working farms and forests as well as for land and water preservation around coastal estuaries.
