The Yield

As a leading expert on conservation easements, Dean began the interview by defining Conservation Easements as "a legal document that travels with the property. From a practical perspective, it is an agreement between two parties for restricted use of that property."

"For example," Saunders continued, "somebody owns a ranch. They may not want to see it developed. And it may be adjacent to a state park and the state may have an interest in protecting that property and making sure that it's not ever developed. But the landowner doesn't want to sell it, they want to give it to their family and their heirs."

To read more and watch video go to thelandjournal.net.

In a recent interview, Dean Saunders discussed how agricultural events in the 1980s inspired him to create legislation that evolved into Florida's conservation easement programs. To learn more about Florida conservation programs, visit thelandjournal.net.

In part two of Dean Saunders' telling of how conservation easements developed in Florida, he explained that his idea gained little traction until 1992 when Dean was elected to the Florida legislature. He decided to do a trial run of a conservation easement program in the Green Swamp area in Polk and Lake counties. Learn more about Florida conservation at thelandjournal.net.

The Land Journal recently sat down with Dean Saunders to discuss conservation easements. Saunders outlined three reasons why the state buys conservation easements from landowners.

1. Avoidance of managing costs.

2. The property remains on the tax rolls.

3. The property still stimulates the economy.

Read the article and watch the video at thelandjournal.net.

In the early 1920s, Florida experienced a real estate boom. Prices were soaring. People were moving here in droves. Life was good. But it couldn’t last forever. With the Great Depression just around the corner, Floridians had no idea that economic desolation loomed just ahead. There were several events in Florida prior to the Great Depression that exacerbated its devastating effects. Read this and other great articles about Florida land and history at thelandjournal.net.

While Florida is acclaimed for its sunny beaches and warm weather, it is also infamous for the more disastrous side of its climate. And few weather events are as disastrous as hurricanes. Read this article and watch the video at thelandjournal.net.

At this year's Lay of the Land conference, a panel of experts spoke about the importance of water management in the State of Florida.  The panel included Brian J. Armstrong. P.D. of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Drew Bartlett of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Dr. Ann B. Shortelle of St. John's River Water Management District (SJRWMD), and Hugh Thomas of Suwanee River Water Management District. These four experts have years of experience in water management from districts stretching all across the state of Florida. Find more great articles at thelandjournal.net.

The Land Journal recently sat down with Scott M. Deitche, author of Cigar City Mafia, to talk about the history of organized crime in Tampa. Stay tuned for more installments in this series and check out the associated videos at The Land Journal.

At this year's Lay of the Land Conference, a panel of experts gave helpful tips to landowners. The panel was headed by Dean Saunders and included Bart Arrington of Mosaic Company, Mallory Lykes Dimmitt of Lykes Brothers, Inc., Bill Calton of Weyerhauser, and Erik Jacobsen of AgReserves. Speaking on the purpose of the panel, Saunders stated that he "tried to find a good panel of large landowners that have a presence in Florida with different land ownership structures." Read an article about this podcast and find other great articles at thelandjournal.net.

Even as we endure a time of uncertainty in the midst of the current pandemic, it is good to keep in mind that transportation and public transit are incredibly important for the future economic growth of Florida. The Land Journal recently sat down with a panel of experts to discuss the importance of transportation and transit infrastructure in the State of Florida. Read this article and others at thelandjournal.net.