Lake George Conservation Area expands to protect water, wildlife and outdoor recreation

Families, anglers, hikers and wildlife enthusiasts who value Lake George have more reason to celebrate.

The Lake George Conservation Area in Putnam County is growing by 27.4 acres. The addition strengthens protections for local water resources, preserving natural habitats and providing additional space for residents and visitors to connect with the outdoors.

The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board approved the purchase, which adds to a connected network of public conservation lands that safeguard more than 20 miles of wildlife corridor along Lake George and the St. Johns River.

Lake George, the largest lake on the St. Johns River and the second largest in Florida, supports fishing, boating and one of the state’s largest bald eagle populations. The newly acquired property features shrubby and hardwood wetlands, longleaf pine, and a pond. By purchasing this land, the District is helping to preserve critical ecosystems while protecting vital water resources. These habitats enhance biodiversity and support the long-term health of Lake George, a 46,000-acre natural treasure.

Spanning nearly 12,000 acres and featuring 3.5 miles of shoreline, the Lake George Conservation Area offers a range of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, primitive and group camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, and seasonal hunting. The area provides habitat for numerous native species, including the Florida gopher tortoise, bald eagle and Florida black bear.

“Lake George is one of those special places where you can feel Florida’s natural heritage all around you,” said the District’s Middle St. Johns River Strategic Planning Basin Coordinator Cammie Dewey. “This expansion not only protects the water and wildlife that make Lake George so unique, it also ensures future generations can experience its beauty firsthand.”

The District serves as lead land manager for Lake George Conservation Area in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, Volusia County and the Florida Forest Service, with part of the property designated as a Wildlife Management Area.

To learn more about the District’s land acquisition program, please visit www.sjrwmd.com/lands/acquisition.