Horse Farms Forever to host free conservation program

Marion County is well known for its horses and rural beauty. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

A free workshop and programs about land conservation will take place on May 20 at 1 p.m. at the Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala. The event is hosted by Horse Farms Forever, a local preservation organization that focuses on protecting and conserving horse farms, natural pastureland and the soil and water on which they depend.

The event will offer workshops to give landowners vital information and tools to preserve their land using stewardships, conservation easements and more.

“Landowners and anyone interested in land conservation should attend,” said Busy Shires, director of conservation for HFF. “This includes how-to aspects on how to conserve land, funding opportunities, information about income tax incentives for conservation easements and meeting with partners who can assist.”

The Landowner Expo can connect attendees with conservation experts and organizations working across Florida. Sessions will explore practical tools for land stewardship, habitat conservation, conservation easements and strategies that support both rural economies and healthy ecosystems,” stated the HFF press release.

The expo will offer the chance to connect with conservation experts, interactive workshops and ideas for income-producing solutions and land diversification.

Numerous conservation and preservation organizations will be available for insights and strategies to help landowners. Among the teams available for attendees are Conservation Florida, Ducks Unlimited, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marion County Soil and Water Division, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Tall Timbers, UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning, UF Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Trust for Public Land and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and others.

“These partners represent some of the most trusted voices in conservation, agriculture and land stewardship, and they are ready to share programs, funding pathways and practical tools for landowners and communities,” according to the release.

The afternoon event will lead into the evening’s ticketed program, Corridor Connect+ LIVE, which brings National Geographic Explorer and “Unbranded” filmmaker Ben Masters as keynote speaker. The evening will feature a screening of the award-winning film “Saving the Florida Wildlife Corridor,” along with a panel discussion featuring Holland Drake, Marion County landowner and conservation advocate; Pegeen Hanrahan, associate director of conservation finance with the Trust for Public Land; and moderation by Corridor Foundation CXO, Marly Fuller.

The discussion will focus on how to manage balanced growth, preserve working agricultural lands and strategies for long-term land conservation in Marion County and beyond. Tickets for the evening reception and program are $25 and available at corridorconnect.org/events