Hatchineha Ranch Mitigation Bank — Polk County, Florida

Overview

The Mitigation Banking Group, Inc., in collaboration with Urbanvest Realty Corp, is proud to offer the Hatchineha Ranch Mitigation Bank, presented on behalf of The Nature Conservancy. Victoria Bruce, CEO and Founder of The Mitigation Banking Group, serves as the listing representative alongside Urbanvest Realty Corp, the exclusive agent of record.

The Hatchineha Ranch property encompasses approximately 2,056 acres and is located west of Lake Hatchineha in Polk County, Florida. It is adjacent and connected to the existing Catfish Creek Preserve, which will provide for a regionally significant habitat restoration and enhancement project – creating and preserving an expansive wildlife corridor. In an area of accelerated development and growth, the resulting pressure and urgency of protecting critical wildlife habitat communities has become an essential focus for land managers.

Since many areas within the Hatchineha Ranch parcel contained development potential, the restoration and enhancement of historic ecological habitats will not only preclude development, but will also provide essential upland/wetland eco-tone communities. The resulting restoration and enhancement scenarios will increase wildlife use throughout the region, and will be desirable habitat for numerous threatened and endangered plant and animal species.

In addition to significant ecological habitat conservation and enhancement, hydro-logic enhancement and restoration activities are a focus of the project. As a result of multiple ditches within the site, extensive hydro-logic alteration has occurred in the eastern portion of the project area. Historic flow way attributes of Catfish Creek had been essentially removed during the development of the ditching system. Advance hydro-logic computer modeling was used to assist existing conditions, as well as predict hydrology following the installation of earthen ditch blocks and Low Water Crossings. Significant ecological and hydro-logic lift was identified.

The Property is a natural area that consists of “a relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife, or plants, or similar ecosystem,” as that phrase is used in 26 U.S.C. § 170(h)(4)(A)(ii) and applicable regulations. Specifically, the Property is located west of Lake Hatchineha in an area referred to as the Reedy Creek-Kissimmee River Chain of Lakes and is adjacent to a portion of the Lake Wales Ridge. This area is identified as a hotspot of biodiversity with high concentrations of imperiled species. The high-quality freshwater and forest habitats found on the Property directly influence the water quality and quantity of freshwater flowing into Lake Hatchineha (one of the Kissimmee Chain-of-Lakes), which has far reaching effects for the restoration of the Kissimmee River and ultimately the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.

The mosaic of Mesic Hammock, Mesic Flatwoods, Wet Flatwoods, Seepage Slope, Depression Marsh, Wet Prairie, Dome Swamp and Baygall found on the Property provide potential habitat for several important wildlife species, including Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus), Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), Florida Sandhill Crane (Antigone Canadensis pratensis), Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus), Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus), Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana), Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) and Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor).

The Property lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which is a high priority area for conservation throughout the State of Florida supporting biodiversity and increased connectivity of protected lands.

Credit Overview

Credits are assessed using UMAM (Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method). State vs. federal split: state credits only are disclosed.

Note: All credit releases are currently paused until a sale is completed.

Financial Summary

Pricing: Contact for pricing. Qualified buyers receive pricing under NDA.

Offer includes:

• Purchase Price
• Terms
• Environmental Steward Experience

• Positioned for long-term success with steady annual credit absorption.
• Strong environmental asset managed under regulatory compliance.

Site Photos & Video

Property Overview

On Site with Victoria Bruce