B+P Celebrates Earth Week with Conservation Florida at future D Ranch Preserve

The Borrelli + Partners team volunteers for Conservation Florida's Earth Week Trail-Building Event.

Volunteers were taken into the conservation land at the future D Ranch Preserve and instructed on building the preserve's nature trails. Located in Volusia County off Reed Ellis Road and SR 415, the preserve spans more than 475 acres of diverse landscapes, offering visitors a chance to connect with the wild beauty of Florida and appreciate native species like the Florida black bear, gopher tortoises, and pine lily. Volusia County’s population is growing rapidly, with forecasts projecting nearly 700,000 residents by 2070. With this growth comes the risk of increased development and the loss of wildlands critical to climate resiliency. D Ranch Preserve stands as a vital sanctuary, safeguarding essential ecosystems, and offering a natural refuge amid the county’s exponential growth. The highly anticipated opening of D Range Preserve is expected to open Spring 2025.

B+P team at the D Ranch Preserve.

Jorge Borrelli, President of Borrelli + Partners, assists with trail-building.

Future Nature Center

Renderings for a future Nature Center were also revealed during this event. Conservation Florida has teamed with Borrelli + Partners to transform an existing warehouse into a welcoming, state-of-the-art Nature Center. Renovated to reflect the vernacular architectural style, or “Florida-cracker style,” the Nature Center will feature a wrap-around porch, a meeting/reception area, administrative offices, storage area, restrooms, and garage. The Nature Center will feature 3,213 square feet of exhibition space to promote eco-tourism for the local community and visitors. The project will also include an ADA accessible pier overlook, a hard trail, parking for both vehicles and horses, picnic table and shelter area, native landscaping, and more.

Future Nature Center plans and renderings revealed to Earth Week volunteers.

Renderings of the future Nature Center at D Ranch Preserve.

About Conservation Florida

Conservation Florida is a statewide accredited land conservancy working to conserve Florida’s water, wildlife, wild places, and protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The organization’s conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, wildlife corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy, and nature-based recreation. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has prioritized strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved more than 35,000 acres of critical habitat. You can learn more about D Ranch Preserve HERE.