Pasco County has successfully preserved nearly 8,700 acres of land since launching its Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program in July 2004. The latest acquisition includes the 1,893-acre property known as 4G Ranch, purchased for $68 million to connect with the existing Conner Preserve. This purchase represents the largest single land acquisition by the county to date and was funded through the Penny for Pasco sales tax initiative. Voters approved this program in March 2004, and it has been renewed twice to run through December 2039, with projected revenue of $1.9 billion. The preservation effort prevents planned development that would have transformed the ranch into thousands of homes and commercial spaces. County officials credit both the voters who supported the tax measure and the Phillips Family for selling the property to protect these ecological corridors. This acquisition follows a similar purchase in September when Swiftmud acquired the 974-acre Kirkland Ranch, marking two major ranch purchases in less than a year.
Pasco County Preserves Nearly 8700 Acres Through Land Acquisition Program Since 2004
