Dean Saunders, ALC, Licensed Real Estate Broker, and owner of Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate (CBCSRE), announces a substantial land transaction for the Osceola County, FL Environmental Lands Conservation Program (ELCP).��

Sold by Venture 4 to Osceola County, the nearly $15M undeveloped land purchase represents 6,715 acres located south of the Big Bend Swamp. Saunders and CBCSRE Realtor�, David Goodlett, represented both the buyer and the seller in this transaction.

Randy Mathews, Osceola County Environmental Lands Coordinator, explains the impact: "Acquiring a portion of the Lonesome Camp Ranch has been a tremendous opportunity for Osceola County's Environmental Lands Conservation Program and has been a perfect fit in meeting our goal of setting aside environmentally significant natural lands for conservation and passive recreation.�The native flatwoods, oak hammocks, cypress wetlands, and range are a great example of the "old Florida" landscape that is so quickly disappearing. The property will meet a growing need for hiking, camping, and horse trails in a natural setting."

�The voter-initiated Environmental Lands Conservation Program is an ad-valorem tax-based program approved in November 2004 and began operation in September 2005. The purchase of the Lonesome Camp Ranch property from Venture 4 included 1,860 acres with an additional 240 acres of donated land, for a total of 2,100 acres, located south of the Big Bend Swamp, was part of the original 6,715 acre Bronson Family Ranch. (An adjacent purchase of the original ranch to the south from another property owner brings the County's total to nearly 2,500 acres.�

On working with CBCSRE, Mathews offers, "In my efforts over the last fifteen years to acquire and manage land for governmental agencies, I have relied on Dean's knowledge and understanding of government on all levels, and his connections with non-profit agencies, funding mechanisms, and the private landowners to assist us in acquiring natural and agricultural lands for public use. Dean uniquely bridges the gap between private property inventory, and public ownership."

Saunders is a former Florida Legislator who assisted in important conservation legislation and he is now known in the real estate industry as a conservation specialist. Saunders states, �It is always a good feeling to help preserve Florida�s natural lands future. Osceola County has added this beautiful tract of land to the program that will be enjoyed by generations to come.�

Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate has Sales Associates covering the State of Florida and beyond. Known for their land deals, Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate Sales Associates are experts in conservation, commercial, and land and resource management.

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