[summer]

...the state can own land, as long as they obey the takings clause. Am I correct in thinking this?

I'm not an expert on the law involved in this, and I'm not quite sure of your point. But, I can certainly tell you that in FL, the concern of many citizens is the preservation of unique environmental sites, such as the ones described in this article.

[PatrickHenry]

If the state buys the land it wants to preserve, it's a lot better than just regulating some unfortunate private owner's use of his own property.