OSTEEN, Fla. — The majority of the state is still dealing with extreme drought conditions.
What You Need To Know
D Ranch Preserve in Osteen is dealing with Florida’s extreme drought
Conservation Florida says even though there’s some water on the property, animal habitats are experiencing drought conditions
The nonprofit believes its dry season should run for another two months at the preserve
These conditions can severely disrupt nature by causing widespread plant death, habitat loss, and reduced water quality.
At D Ranch Preserve, about one third of the 476-acre preserve is made-up of wetlands.
Conservation Florida stated that even though there is some water on the property, animal habitats are experiencing drought conditions.
“This is our piece of old Florida that we get to turn around and share with the public,” said Chelsea Folmar, director of Land Protection with Conservation Florida.
Because of a donation from an anonymous donor, Conservation Florida is able to permanently protect the land.
Like all things, it’s at the mercy of Mother Nature.
Frank Decot is visiting the D Ranch Preserve for the very first time. (Spectrum News 13/Devin Martin)
“This is going to be the first one that shows you the drought conditions because they’re the most ephemeral. They’re going to fill up the fastest and drain the quickest,” Folmar said. “Right now, as you can see, it’s dry as a bone.”
Folmar says many animals call the preserve home, including alligators, bobcats, racoons, sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, and cattle.
Right now, Folmar says, wildlife has to adapt to these difficult conditions.
“Even though it doesn’t look like it right now, this area actually is wet enough during the summer that ducks breed here,” Folmar said. “As these seasonal droughts get longer and more frequent, the wildlife that depend on these resources have to shift their behavior to accommodate what’s happening.”
Frank Decot is visiting the D Ranch Preserve for the very first time.
He was there at a time when he knows the challenges nature is facing.
He says we all need to do our part to protect the environment.
Conservation Florida says even though there’s some water on the property, animal habitats are experiencing drought conditions. (Spectrum News 13/Devin Martin)
“I think it’s an important thing to make sure people are being cautious and taking precautions to help to make sure they’re not contributing to a chance for a wildfire,” Decot said.
For the cattle that call the preserve home, they’re doing what they can to get by.
“Lately they’ve been chewing on the palmettos. That could very well be because of the drought conditions. Without the rain, the grass is going to grow a lot slower, which means they’re going to be depending on less desirable food sources,” Folmar said.
Folmar says their dry season should run for another two months.
She is hoping the wetlands will be back to normal by early summer.