August 5, 2026 — A conservation easement on nearly 500 acres of West Volusia land closed today for $8,379,000, marking the highest price per acre ever paid for a conservation easement in Volusia County. Maury L. Carter & Associates, Inc. represented the seller in the transaction.
The easement covers approximately 490 acres at 1290 Blackwelder Road in DeLeon Springs, land that fronts both Caraway Lake and Lake Dias, forming part of a critical wildlife corridor within the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem project area. The total sale value breaks down to $17,712 per acre, surpassing the previous county record of $12,505 per acre set in March of this year on the sale of McMillon Creek Ranch, also sold through Maury L. Carter & Associates, Inc.
Funding for the transaction came from two public sources: Volusia Forever and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through the Florida Forever program. The permanent “forest and farmlands conservation easement” prevents future development on the property while allowing continued agricultural use, including cattle operations, tree cultivation, and prescribed burns.
The closing comes as Maury L. Carter & Associates continues to build momentum in Volusia County conservation transactions. River Bend Ranch, 1,100 acres of riverfront land along the St. Johns River in Osteen, is currently under contract with the State of Florida as part of a separate acquisition under the Volusia Forever program.
With today’s closing, Maury L. Carter & Associates, Inc. has now sold more than $195 million and 46,600 acres to government and conservation agencies since 1989, including more than $48 million and 5,490 acres in Volusia County alone.
