The Ocala – Osceola (O2O) Critical Linkage

The Ocala–Osceola (O2O) Critical Linkage is a nearly 100-mile forested corridor connecting central Florida to Georgia and the Okefenokee Swamp. It supports more than 16 threatened and endangered species – including Florida black bear, southern fox squirrel, striped newt, gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker, Florida scrub-jay, and sand skink – across longleaf pine sandhills, scrub, mesic flatwoods, marshes, and swamps. Its southern extent contains high-quality sandhill, a rare white-cedar swamp, and sand pine scrub that hosts the only known site of the federally listed Etoniah rosemary. The O2O also provides suitable habitat for potential northward Florida panther expansion. As a designated Sentinel Landscape, it balances conservation, forestry, and military readiness, demonstrating how long-term conservation success depends on strong partnerships among landowners, military installations, and conservation organizations. Collectively, the O2O encompasses some of Florida’s highest-priority lands for biodiversity, landscape connectivity, and rare species protection.