The DeLuca Preserve: A Dynamic Ecological Site for Land Management, Conservation, and Research in Central Florida

Introduction

The DeLuca Preserve, a natural and protected landscape in central Florida, is a critical research site for advancing scientific understanding and research (UF/IFAS 2023a). In a region characterized by a wide variety of ecosystems, including wetlands, upland forests, grasslands, and prairies, the preserve is crucial for developing and implementing innovative strategies in land management, biodiversity preservation, and ecosystem sustainability. These efforts are particularly significant in the humid subtropical climate of central Florida (Black 1993; Lascody 2002), where interactions among seasonal rainfall, fluctuating water tables, heterogeneous soil types, and diverse land use create both management constraints (e.g., periodic inundation, wildfire risk) and opportunities (e.g., natural water-storage functions, high habitat heterogeneity, carbon storage). Its strategic location near the Kissimmee River, combined with its rich biodiversity, varied ecosystems, and distinct wet and dry seasons, makes it an ideal environment for understanding and preserving the unique ecological dynamics of the region.

In 2020, Elisabeth DeLuca made a transformative gift to the University of Florida (UF), providing the preserve with the intention of protecting one of the last natural areas of its kind, one that would serve as a living classroom and laboratory for students and faculty. UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and other university colleges are directing research on the property, aiming to help land developers, conservationists, and policymakers balance growth, agriculture, and preservation across the state (UF/IFAS 2023a). The donation also included placing a conservation easement on the property. Ducks Unlimited, the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to wetlands conservation, was selected as the recipient, ensuring long-term protection of the land (Austin 2022). This significant contribution underscores the importance of the DeLuca Preserve as a hub for both current and future research initiatives.

Given the its unique combination of ecological importance and historical significance, as well as its role in addressing the pressing need for sustainable land management practices, the preserve offers unparalleled opportunities for research and conservation. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of DeLuca Preserve’s distinctive properties, including its diverse land cover types, climate and hydrological conditions, and the research opportunities it offers. Overall, this publication provides valuable information about the preserve for researchers, land managers, environmental scientists, policymakers, educators, and students. Collecting this information in a single peer-reviewed source will help prospective researchers, land managers, and partner agencies quickly determine whether the preserve’s physical setting and existing infrastructure align with the objectives of a proposed research, conservation, or demonstration program. In addition, by assembling key environmental, ecological, and logistical data in one place, this publication also supports UF/IFAS’s Extension and education missions by providing baseline data for undergraduate and graduate field courses, creating a resource that can inform outreach activities and serve as reference material for field workshops, and guiding the development of science-based land-management tools for regional stakeholders. For further reading on recent DeLuca Preserve research, including the effect of different land covers and soils in enzyme-mediated organic matter decomposition and the impacts of hydroperiod on soil health across land cover types, please refer to the following recent publications: Melkani et al. (2025) and Manirakiza et al. (2025).

History and Formation

The DeLuca Preserve’s origin is deeply rooted in the history and environmental legacy of central Florida. Before its designation as a protected area, the land that now constitutes the preserve was primarily used for agricultural purposes, including cattle grazing and timber harvesting activities that have long shaped the landscape of the region. Historically, the preserve lay in a flat, poorly drained area of Florida. Rainwater naturally collected on the property and slowly flowed across the flatwoods into herbaceous marshes, eventually draining through low-energy streams toward the Kissimmee River in the northeast and southwest. The natural cycles of wet rainy seasons and dry, cool winters were the primary forces that shaped the site's ecosystems. Seasonal flooding and drying of herbaceous marshes, along with scattered forested wetlands, were common. This natural hydroperiod also led to frequent fires during late dry seasons, triggered by periodic lightning. These fires prevented woody plants from encroaching into the marshes, maintaining a savanna-like understory across the mesic flatwoods. The combination of annual flooding, drought, and warm-season burns created ideal conditions for a rich diversity of native grassland and dry prairie plants, as well as an abundance of wildlife species. In the early 20th century, much of central Florida, including the area now occupied by the preserve, was developed for agriculture, with the landscape transformed to accommodate cattle ranching and other forms of land use. These activities, while economically important, significantly altered the natural ecosystems, leading to the modification of wetlands and the disruption of native plant and animal habitats. However, portions of the land retained their natural characteristics, providing a glimpse into the ecosystems that once dominated the region (Exum Associates 2020). This publication reports all area measurements in square kilometers (km²), with approximate conversions to acres or square miles (mi²), and all distances in kilometers (km), with approximate conversions to miles (mi) where relevant.

Geographic Location

The DeLuca Preserve (Figure 1) spanning approximately 110 km² (27,000 acres) is strategically located in central Florida, between 27°38′20′′ N to 27°44′10′′ N and 80°51′40′′ W to 81°1′40′′ W, south of State Road 60 and west of Florida’s Turnpike. It lies approximately 11 km (7 mi) east of the Kissimmee River, within the regulatory boundary of the St. Johns River Water Management District, although much of the rainwater that falls on-site flows south into the jurisdiction of the South Florida Water Management District. The preserve's proximity to significant conservation areas, such as the Kissimmee River floodplain and Avon Park Air Force Range, further enhances its ecological importance (UF/IFAS 2023b).

General Directions and Entrance

The preserve is accessible through several entrance gates:

1. Southeast Entrance Gate (6900 S. Kenansville Road):
1. Located 3.25 miles south of the State Road 60 and Highway 441 intersection in Yeehaw Junction.
2. 0.75 miles north of the Okeechobee-Osceola County line when traveling south on Highway 441.
2. State Road 60 Grove Entrance Gate (2650 State Road 60):
1. Situated 0.75 miles west of the State Road 60 and Highway 441 intersection in Yeehaw Junction on the south side of the road.
2. 7 miles east of Peavine Road if traveling from the west.
3. Additional Entrance Gates: Various locations along State Road 60.

Climate and Hydrology

The DeLuca Preserve experiences a subtropical climate characterized by significant seasonal variations in both temperature and precipitation (Figure 2). Based on 42 years of data from NASA/POWER CERES/MERRA2 (January 1981 to December 2022), the climatology of the preserve reveals that average maximum temperatures range from a cool 30.2°C in January to a peak of 39.2°C in June, with summer months maintaining high temperatures around 38.9°C in July. Minimum temperatures show similar seasonal fluctuations, dipping as low as −6.1°C in December and rising to 21.2°C in July (NASA 2024).

Precipitation at the DeLuca Preserve follows a marked seasonal pattern, with the driest months being December and February, each averaging 0.92 mm/day and 1.14 mm/day, respectively. The wet season, characterized by cyclical patterns of heavy rainfall, spans from June to November, with precipitation rates peaking in June and August at 6.38 mm/day and 5.88 mm/day, respectively. This period contrasts with the dry, cool winter season from December to January. The mean annual rainfall at the preserve is approximately 1,242 mm (NASA 1981–2022). These natural hydroperiods, with their annual cycles of flooding and drying, are key drivers in maintaining the diverse land cover types found within the preserve. This substantial rainfall, combined with warm temperatures, plays a critical role in sustaining the preserve's diverse ecosystems and influencing its land management strategies.

Plant Species Diversity

The preserve is home to a diverse array of plant species. These species not only define the character of the various habitats within the preserve but also play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance. The preserve's plant life ranges from towering trees like the iconic Live Oak and fire-resistant Longleaf Pine to specialized shrubs, grasses, and ferns that thrive in the different environmental conditions found here (Table 1) (Exum Associates 2020).

Soil Types and Distribution

The preserve features a diverse array of soil types that significantly influence the ecological characteristics and land use potential of the area. According to the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) in its National Cooperative Soil Survey for Osceola County, 38 distinct soil types are present within the preserve, with many of these soils supporting unique habitats that contribute to the conservation of rare plant and animal species (Soil Survey Staff 2024). These soils are predominantly hyperthermic (i.e., having consistently high soil temperatures) with an aquic soil moisture class (i.e., soils that remain saturated long enough to develop low-oxygen conditions affecting plant and microbial activity) and originate primarily from parent materials such as sandy or loamy marine deposits.

Soils Taxonomy

Based on texture, most soils in the preserve are sandy, covering 82.96% of the area, which is typical of Florida's coastal and inland regions (Table 2). Loamy soils, which offer a balance of sand, silt, and clay, account for 16.19% of the area and are often more fertile and better at retaining moisture. A smaller portion of the preserve, 0.80%, is covered by muck soils, which are typically found in low-lying areas or wetlands. The dominant soil order in the preserve is Spodosols, occupying around 56% of the area (Figure 3). Spodosols are generally sandy soils, which are common in forested areas and typically support ecosystems dominated by pine, oak, and cypress. Entisols, which cover around 25.65% of the area, are young soils with little profile development, often found in recently deposited sands or on steep slopes. Alfisols, which are more fertile and often found under hardwood forests, make up 15.38% of the area. Histosols, Mollisols, and Inceptisols are less common, together occupying only a small fraction of the preserve. Land capability class (LCC) ratings, which assess the suitability of soils for agriculture, range from Class 3 to Class 7, reflecting varying degrees of limitations on land use primarily due to wetness (w). Soils in Class 4w are particularly wet and better suited for conservation and habitat preservation than for agricultural use. Conversely, soils in Class 3w, which have fewer limitations, can support more diverse land use options (Soil Survey Staff 2024).

Soil Types

Soil survey information from the USDA-NRCS web soil survey for Indian River County and Osceola County, Florida (Soil Survey Staff 2024), indicates that the distribution of soil types across the preserve (Figure 4) is diverse, with some soil dominating large areas while others are restricted to specific locations. The six predominant soil types cover a total of approximately 85.65 km² (21,165 acres), accounting for 78% of the protected property. The following is a summary of the USDA-NRCS descriptions for these key soils and how much of the total preserve area they cover (in percentages):

1. Smyrna Fine Sand, 0% to 2% Slopes (30.4%): This soil is prevalent on flat areas and is characterized by poor drainage and moderately high water movement. It has a low capacity to retain water, with water saturation occurring at a depth of 12 inches from June to September. The surface horizon contains approximately 4% organic matter.
2. Myakka Fine Sand, 0% to 2% Slopes (10.5%): Found primarily on flatwoods, this poorly drained soil also exhibits moderately high water movement and very low water retention capacity. Water saturation occurs at a depth of 12 inches between June and September, with the surface horizon containing about 5% organic matter.
3. Eaugallie Fine Sand (10.4%): Common on flatwoods, this soil is poorly drained with moderately high water movement and low water retention. Water saturation is found at a depth of 12 inches from June to September, and the surface horizon contains around 5% organic matter.
4. Basinger Fine Sand, Depressional (10.1%): Located in depressional areas, this soil is very poorly drained and frequently ponded. Water saturation reaches the surface from June to December, and the soil contains about 1% organic matter in the surface horizon.
5. Basinger Fine Sand (8.5%): Present on marine terraces, particularly in flatwoods and drainageways, this poorly drained soil has very high water movement but very low water retention. Water saturation occurs at a depth of 6 inches from June to November, with 1% organic matter in the surface horizon.
6. Malabar Fine Sand, 0% to 2% Slopes (8.3%): Found in drainageways, this poorly drained soil has moderately low water movement and low water retention capacity. Water saturation occurs at a depth of 6 inches from June to November, with 3% organic matter in the surface horizon.

Soil Physicochemical Properties

The soils of the DeLuca Preserve exhibit a range of physical and chemical properties that are vital for supporting its diverse land use and ecosystems. The physicochemical properties presented in this report were sourced from a peer-reviewed study generated from the DeLuca Preserve research initiative, as reported by Manirakiza et al. (2025), which evaluated soil health responses to seasonal variation under different land cover types in a subtropical preserve ecosystem. These properties, which include soil pH, bulk density, organic matter content, moisture holding capacity, and nutrient levels, are vital for supporting the preserve's diverse ecosystems. The properties were measured from soils collected across 23 diverse ecosystems (Figure 5), aiming to represent the entire ecology of the DeLuca Preserve. Understanding the seasonal fluctuations of these properties is essential for managing the land effectively, particularly in the context of conservation and agricultural use. As part of this research project, these key indicators were measured during both the dry (January 2022) and wet (August 2022) seasons. Figure 6 illustrates the seasonal variations in these soil properties, highlighting the dynamic nature of soil health throughout the year.

The soil pH ranges from approximately 4.7 to 6.3 in the dry season and increases to 5.2 to 6.8 in the wet season, indicating a shift toward more neutral conditions as moisture levels rise. Bulk density remains relatively stable, reflecting minimal changes in soil compaction despite seasonal variations in water content, with values ranging from 0.62 to 1.52 g/cm³ in the dry season and from 0.53 to 1.54 g/cm³ in the wet season. Organic matter content ranges from about 1.5% to 7.0% in the dry season and increases slightly to 2.0% to 7.5% in the wet season, indicating that wetter conditions support the accumulation and preservation of organic material. Moisture holding capacity, which is critical for plant growth, generally rises during the wet season, with values ranging from 46% to 62% in the dry season to 50% to 66% in the wet season. This rise suggests that soils are better able to retain water during the wetter months. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen shows an increase, with values ranging from 150 to 1215 mg/kg in the dry season to 1000 to 1800 mg/kg in the wet season, more than doubling in some areas. This increase reflects enhanced nutrient availability and cycling under wetter conditions. Similarly, total phosphorus ranges from 17 to 111 mg/kg in the dry season and increases substantially to 35 to 220 mg/kg in the wet season, indicating greater nutrient mobility and availability during the wet season. Active carbon, a measure of readily available carbon that supports microbial activity, increases from around 190 to 630 mg/kg in the dry season to 400 to 1250 mg/kg in the wet season, suggesting that microbial activity and organic matter decomposition are more vigorous during the wetter months. Cation exchange capacity, which reflects the soil's ability to hold and exchange essential nutrients, varies from about 0.3 to 273.9 cmol/kg, with the averages increasing slightly from 25.1 cmol/kg during the dry season to 30.9 cmol/kg in the wet season. Soil protein, an important component of soil organic matter and a key indicator of soil health, also shows a notable increase from approximately 216 to 444 mg/kg in the dry season to 350 to 700 mg/kg in the wet season, indicating improved conditions for soil microbial communities during wetter periods. Understanding these patterns and seasonal fluctuations is essential for effective land management, particularly in the context of conservation and agricultural use.

Land Use and Management

The landscape of the DeLuca Preserve reflects a balance between natural systems and human influence. It encompasses a range of land uses shaped by past and present management decisions, as well as distinct ecosystem types characterized by their vegetation, soils, and hydrology. As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 (Exum Associates 2020), the preserve includes extensive wetlands, upland forests, native range areas, cultivated agricultural areas, improved pasture areas, and intensive use areas as described by the following:

1. Wetland, Watercourse, and Waterbody Areas (27.02 km²/10.43 mi²): Encompassing herbaceous prairies, marshes, and forested wetlands, these areas are essential for water purification, groundwater recharge, and providing habitats for species such as the eastern indigo snake and Florida sandhill crane.
2. Upland Forests (21.61 km²/10.66 mi²): The upland forests within the DeLuca Preserve comprise a diverse array of ecosystems, including mesic hammocks, Florida scrub, mesic flatwoods, and scrubby flatwoods. These forests are shaped by variations in soil types, moisture levels, and historical fire regimes. Mesic hammocks, occurring on well-drained soils, are characterized by a dense canopy of live oak and cabbage palm and are rarely exposed to fire. The Florida scrub community, primarily located in the northeastern part of the preserve, experiences infrequent fires, leading to a dense growth of sand pine, Chapman’s oak, and myrtle oak. Mesic flatwoods, which are part of a managed three-year fire rotation, feature an open canopy of longleaf and slash pines, supporting critical habitats for species like the red-cockaded woodpecker. Scrubby flatwoods, positioned between mesic flatwoods and scrub, are subject to more frequent fires and are marked by a more open canopy with scrub oaks and saw palmetto in the understory. Collectively, these upland forests are vital for the conservation of rare habitats and several state and federally listed species, including the gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker, and Florida panther.
3. Native Range Areas (30.02 km²/11.50 mi²): Native range areas within the DeLuca Preserve consist of dry prairie habitats that are lightly grazed and maintained in their natural state without pasture improvements. These areas, characterized by a lack of canopy and dominated by saw palmetto, wiregrass, and scattered oaks, typically stand less than 3 feet tall. Located primarily north and west of Lake Okeechobee, these prairies are included in a frequent fire rotation, which helps preserve their native vegetation. The diverse plant community, featuring species like running oak, gallberry, and broomsedge bluestem, supports important wildlife habitats for species such as the Florida grasshopper sparrow, crested caracara, and Florida sandhill crane. Despite being grazed and sometimes mowed, the high diversity of native plants remains intact, contributing to the ecological value of these prairies.
4. Cultivated Agricultural Areas (3.28 km²/1.27 mi²): The cultivated agricultural areas within the DeLuca Preserve encompass approximately 811 acres. These areas consist of five distinct sites, including active citrus groves and lands historically used for row crops (likely tomato fields). Although some irrigation infrastructure remains from their past agricultural use, these fields have not been farmed for row crops in decades. The old row crop beds are now planted with bahiagrass and are primarily used for cattle grazing. These fields are frequently mowed and occasionally burned during the winter months. As per management requirements, lessees must mow or burn at least 1,000 acres of these areas annually. Of the five cultivated agricultural areas, three are still active citrus groves: the Weeks, Peavine, and Log Cow Pen Groves. However, these groves have been significantly impacted by citrus greening disease. The infrastructure supporting these groves includes equipment storage buildings at Weeks Grove, deep well systems with pumps at each grove (two at Weeks Grove), irrigation systems, and fuel tanks with generators for emergency power. Additionally, a weather station is located at Weeks Grove. Despite the presence of citrus greening disease, there are substantial areas of relic citrus trees within all three groves, and the existing irrigation infrastructure in these fallow areas remains viable for any future agricultural operations that may require it.
5. Improved Pasture Areas (26.68 km²/10.30 mi²): Covering 6,593 acres in the northwestern portion of the DeLuca Preserve, improved pasture areas have historically been disturbed by cattle grazing, with bahiagrass planted as the primary forage. Despite reduced native grassland diversity, these areas still support many native plants and provide crucial habitat for the federally endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow. Approximately 3,000 acres are managed in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), focusing on rotational grazing, fire management, and mowing to maintain optimal conditions for the sparrow. Both improved pasture and native range areas are recognized for their conservation value, offering critical habitat for various listed species, including the gopher tortoise, eastern indigo snake, and Florida sandhill crane. These areas are also part of a broader conservation effort under the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area aimed to protect the natural resources of the Kissimmee River Valley while preserving ranching heritage. Research by the FWS and Archbold Biological Station on these lands has provided valuable insights into the survival of the Florida grasshopper sparrow.
6. Intensive Use Areas and Others (0.98 km²/0.38 mi²): These areas are allocated for more concentrated activities, likely including the infrastructure and facilities essential for the management and operations of the preserve. The property includes 10 intensive use areas (IUAs), totalling 109 acres. The IUAs on the preserve consist of four hunt camps, two residential areas covering 1.9 acres along State Road 60, a 0.4-acre shooting range, a 0.8-acre former theme park ticket sales site, a 0.4-acre closed solid waste transfer station, and two cultivated agricultural areas reserved for future facilities, covering 44.0 and 52.8 acres. Hunt camps are leased and include living facilities, with a requirement to remove all equipment upon lease termination.

While the overall land cover composition of the DeLuca Preserve has remained broadly consistent, reflecting a balance of natural and managed land use, several notable shifts have occurred over time (Figure 9). The most prominent trend is the decline in citrus-related agriculture, particularly in the northeastern portion of the preserve. Active citrus groves in that area have been progressively reduced or abandoned, shrinking from over 2,500 acres in 2008 to fewer than 700 acres by 2024, likely due to disease pressures such as citrus greening. Concurrently, there has been a substantial expansion of forested and wetland areas, with woody wetlands growing from approximately 10,300 acres in 2008 to more than 22,000 acres in 2024 and herbaceous wetlands increasing from 5,800 to over 49,000 acres in the same period. These trends suggest a combination of active restoration and natural succession in former agricultural fields. Improved pasture and grassland areas have also expanded modestly, from around 6,300 acres in 2008 to more than 9,500 acres in 2024, indicating a shift toward extensive grazing systems and conservation grazing partnerships. Despite these changes, the dominant ecological framework comprising wetlands, native rangeland, and upland forests has remained stable, continuing to support habitat connectivity and ecological function across the landscape.

Land Management and Conservation Strategies

The DeLuca Preserve's management approach integrates agricultural productivity with conservation goals, ensuring sustainable land use and the protection of its diverse ecosystems. This section outlines the key practices and strategies employed to balance these objectives.

Agricultural Management

Historically, the DeLuca Preserve has been used for various agricultural activities, including cattle grazing, hay harvesting, citrus cultivation, and the collection of native plant propagules. Today, these activities remain central to the preserve's land use, with cattle grazing, hay production, and citrus farming being the primary agricultural practices.

Management activities include:

1. Grazing Management: Employing rotational grazing practices helps maintain pasture health and prevent overgrazing. Grazing is carefully timed and managed to maintain vegetation cover and soil health, reducing the risk of erosion and soil compaction.
2. Vegetation Management: Fertilization, mowing, and burning of pastures help maintain forage quality. In native grasslands and pine flatwoods, mechanical roller-chopping and prescribed fire are used to control woody vegetation and promote native grass growth.
3. Citrus Management: In citrus groves, management practices involve mowing row middles, applying herbicides to tree beds, and using pesticides to control pests and diseases. Despite the challenges posed by citrus greening, efforts continue to maintain the groves, particularly those planted with grapefruit.

Prescribed Fire in Agricultural Management:

1. Purpose and Timing: Prescribed fire is a key tool in managing the preserve's agricultural landscapes. Burns are conducted to improve forage quality in pastures, control invasive species, and reduce fuel loads that could lead to uncontrolled wildfires. Improved pastures are typically burned in February, which helps prepare the land for the upcoming growing season by clearing dead plant material and encouraging new growth.
2. Coordination and Safety: All prescribed burns are closely coordinated with the Florida Forest Service to ensure they are conducted safely and effectively. The burns are timed to minimize impacts on sensitive species and are carried out under specific weather conditions to ensure control and minimize smoke impact on surrounding areas.

These agricultural practices, including the strategic use of prescribed fire, are designed to be sustainable and compatible with the preserve's conservation goals, ensuring that the land remains productive while supporting biodiversity.

Invasive Species Management

Invasive species pose a significant threat to both agricultural productivity and the ecological integrity of the DeLuca Preserve. The management of invasive plants is a priority, with specific actions taken to control species such as cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia), and tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum).

1. Chemical Control: Herbicides are used to treat invasive species as soon as they are detected, particularly cogongrass and Brazilian pepper.
2. Biological Control: The use of biological control agents, such as the leaf-feeding beetle Gratiana boliviana for tropical soda apple, has proven effective in reducing the population of invasive species.

Invasive aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth and West Indian marsh grass, are managed to protect waterways and maintain ecological balance. These efforts are essential for preserving the integrity of both improved pastures and natural lands within the preserve.

Soil Management

The preserve faces several challenges related to soil and land management, which are addressed through targeted conservation strategies. The preserve's soils exhibit a range of issues, including erosion hazards, soil rutting hazards, fire damage potential, drought vulnerability, and ground penetration problems (Table 3) (Soil Survey Staff 2024). These challenges highlight the need for ongoing management and monitoring to mitigate the risks associated with these soil issues.

These challenges require a strategic approach to land management, incorporating practices that reduce soil disturbance, maintain vegetation cover, and protect the soil from erosion and compaction. For example, areas with high erosion hazards or severe soil rutting are managed through careful grazing practices, while prescribed burns are used to reduce fire risks and maintain healthy ecosystems.

Research Opportunities

The DeLuca Preserve, with its wide variety of land cover, soil types, weather conditions, and management strategies, offers an exceptional site for conducting research across multiple disciplines. The preserve's diverse ecosystems and extensive protected area make it a valuable resource for scientists to explore complex ecological, agricultural, and environmental issues. Its large and varied landscape offers a unique setting to study topics such as habitat restoration, water movement, wildlife conservation, sustainable farming, and forest and pasture management, as well as observe how people interact with and benefit from natural resources. Researchers can examine how past land uses like cattle grazing and citrus farming still affect today’s plant growth and soil health. Researchers can also test new grazing methods that help grasslands bounce back after drought and try out improved citrus trees that are better suited to Florida’s changing climate. The preserve can also be used to explore new tools, like high-resolution mapping, aerial imagery, and even mosquito-collected DNA to track animal presence and monitor plant and wildlife diversity. These efforts highlight just some of the collaborative research already in progress through the 2025 UF/IFAS Jumpstart Funding program and related projects.

Recognizing these opportunities, the partnership between UF and Ducks Unlimited has been structured to balance conservation protections with opportunities for teaching, education, and research. UF/IFAS has taken the lead in directing research at the 27,000-acre DeLuca Preserve, supported by more than $600,000 in funding awarded to UF/IFAS faculty. This investment has already initiated eight research projects that span a wide range of topics, from soil microbes and fungi to birds and trees. These projects exemplify the potential for large-scale research and community collaboration, positioning UF as a leader among its peer institutions. The diversity of the property facilitates partnerships across various UF/IFAS units, encouraging cross-functional collaboration to expand knowledge of Florida's ecosystems.

Extension and Education Potential

The DeLuca Preserve is more than a protected landscape; it is an open‑air classroom and outreach site where UF/IFAS translates ecological science into hands‑on learning for students, land managers, and the public.

An example of this engagement is the annual BioBlitz, a citizen‑science survey that equips volunteers with the iNaturalist app and sends them into pastures, wetlands, prairies, scrub, and flatwoods to document biodiversity. During the 2022 event, nearly 100 nature enthusiasts logged over 1,600 observations and verified 345 species, sharpening participants’ field‑identification skills while highlighting the preserve’s ecological richness. A third BioBlitz in March 2024 extended coverage to semi‑improved pastures, wetlands, dry prairies, upland scrub, and flatwoods. The fourth installment in March 2025 resulted in another influx of high‑quality data and community involvement.

The preserve also hosts undergraduate labs and graduate field courses in ecology, soils, and hydrology, where students practice modern sampling techniques and environmental monitoring protocols in a real‑world setting. Together, these activities make the DeLuca Preserve a living classroom that advances UF/IFAS’s mission to deliver science‑based stewardship across Florida.

The Future of the DeLuca Preserve

With the involvement of 23 UF/IFAS faculty across 8 departments and 7 research centers, these initiatives provide a strong baseline of information on the preserve's species composition, hydrological features, and more. The DeLuca Preserve stands as a site for interdisciplinary team science, offering vast opportunities for future research that can contribute significantly to our understanding and management of natural resources in Florida. These efforts mark the early stages of what the preserve can offer. In many ways, UF/IFAS is just scratching the surface of the landscape. To date, nearly all activity has focused on research, and even exploring, mapping, and cataloging the full expanse remains a substantial undertaking. Transforming insights from this initial work into a long-term program for continuing education and outreach will require additional time, partnerships, and resources.

With the right level of continued support, UF/IFAS can build a one-of-a-kind Extension and education model, an immersive outdoor classroom that brings the land-grant mission to life. From K–12 students to university students studying agriculture and life sciences, the DeLuca Preserve is ideally positioned at the center of the state to serve as an axis point for statewide impact.

As interest in the preserve continues to grow, UF/IFAS welcomes collaboration from researchers, educators, and partner organizations looking to engage with this unique landscape. Researchers or educators interested in accessing the site or exploring collaborative opportunities may contact UF/IFAS at ifas-research@ifas.ufl.edu or reach the DeLuca Preserve team directly at deluca@ifas.ufl.edu. Additional information is available at https://deluca.ifas.ufl.edu.

References

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Exum Associates. 2020. Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report: DeLuca Preserve, Osceola County, Florida. Prepared for FD Destiny Credit, LLC, by Exum Associates, Inc., Keith Fountain Law, and Deloach Engineering Science.

Lascody, R. 2002. The Onset of the Wet and Dry Seasons in East Central Florida, a Subtropical Wet-Dry Climate. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Melbourne, FL.

Manirakiza, N., S. Melkani, A. Rabbany, et al. 2025. “Responses of Soil Health to Seasonal Change Under Different Land Cover Types in a Sub-Tropical Preserve Ecosystem.” PLOS One 20 (3): e0318092. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0318092

Melkani, S., N. Manirakiza, A. Rabbany, et al. 2025. “Understanding the Mechanisms of Hydrolytic Enzyme Mediated Organic Matter Decomposition Under Different Land Covers Within a Subtropical Preserve.” Frontiers in Environmental Science 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1564047

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Soil Survey Staff. 2024. Soil type data from Web Soil Survey. National Cooperative Soil Survey, United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed August 2024. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/

UF/IFAS. 2023a. "DeLuca Preserve." Last modified June 21, 2023. https://deluca.ifas.ufl.edu/

UF/IFAS. 2023b. DeLuca Preserve map and data. ArcGIS. Last updated August 11, 2023.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS). 2024. Data from “Cropland Data Layer (CDL).” Cropland CROS raster dataset. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Research_and_Science/Cropland/SARS1a.php