Although the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks has declined the gift of the 4,414-acre Peaceful Horse Ranch, which straddles the Peace River in southern DeSoto County, the state forest service would be delighted to accept it, a recent letter from state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam indicates.

Putnam, in a letter signed under his name by Forest Service Director Jim Karels, states the service would manage the ranch to preserve its natural forests and swamps.