Thanks to a major Florida Forever land acquisition finalized in November 2025, Goethe State Forest grew by roughly 21,600 acres, increasing the forest’s footprint from about 53,000 acres to approximately 75,000 acres.

This newly protected land lies within the Waccasassa Watershed Florida Forever Project in Levy County and borders the southeastern edge of Goethe State Forest. The purchase, completed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from Rayonier Inc., ensures permanent protection of habitat within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

The addition strengthens landscape connectivity by linking Goethe with nearby conservation areas such as Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area and Upper Waccasassa Conservation Area, and protects important water-quality buffers along tributaries of the Waccasassa River.

Visitors to the expanded forest now have even more opportunities for hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing, including sightings of iconic species such as bald eagles, gopher tortoises, and swallow-tailed kites.

This milestone reflects Florida’s ongoing commitment to large-scale conservation and public land stewardship under the Florida Forever program.