More than 1,700 acres of raw natural land in St. Johns County will be permanently protected, thanks to a momentous donation from Ring Power and its owners to the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT).
The 1,732-acre property, known as DeerCreek Plantation, sits east of the St. Johns River and includes two pristine miles directly along Trout Creek.
The gift ensures the land will remain guarded from development, preserving a key area for wildlife, water quality, and aquifer recharge.
“This is a major win for conservation in a county that continues to grow,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “The Ringhaver family recognized the importance of protecting this space for future generations.”
Randy Ringhaver, chairman of Ring Power, said the property holds deep personal meaning.
Over decades, he and his family – including his wife Paula and daughter Bree Alban — gradually assembled the parcels that now make up DeerCreek.
Faced with encroaching development nearby, the family sought to durably secure the land’s future through a conservation easement.
“A close friend once said some things are worth more than they can be sold for — that is exactly how we feel about DeerCreek,” Ringhaver said.
Under the terms, the Ringhaver and Alban families will continue to use the property for private quail hunting and company events, while NFLT ensures its permanent protection.
NFLT, founded in 1999, has preserved tens of thousands of acres across North Florida through donations, purchases, and conservation easements.
“We are grateful to the Ringhaver family for recognizing the importance of saving this natural space because it is now or never,” DeFoor said. “Now their children, grandchildren, and their grandchildren’s grandchildren will be able to enjoy this beautiful property.”
Founded in 1961 by L.C. Ringhaver in St. Augustine, Ring Power has grown to become one of the region’s largest heavy equipment dealers with dozens of locations.
