Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis designated "Seminole Wind" by the late John Anderson as the state's official anthem through an executive order issued on Tuesday.

The 1992 country hit by the Apopka native, who died October 21 at age 71, now holds the title of "Florida's Anthem." The designation stands separate from the existing state anthem, "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)," which lawmakers adopted in 2008 and which DeSantis noted has seen little use. The order also references the prior state song "Old Folks at Home," known as "Swanee River," which faced scrutiny over its lyrics before the 2008 change.

In the order, DeSantis highlighted how the song's lyrics about Florida's landscapes, vanishing wilderness, and the Everglades have influenced efforts to protect the state's heritage and environment. The tune references the draining of the Glades for flood control and development, themes that DeSantis said spurred generational investment in restoration projects. Anderson grew up amid orange groves and Central Florida swamplands before theme parks arrived, drawing from that upbringing for the track that peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard country chart.

DeSantis also directed the secretary of state to erect historic markers in Anderson's hometown of Apopka honoring his contributions to Florida's heritage. He further tasked the Department of Environmental Protection and the St. Johns River Water Management District with renaming a wildlife drive and trail system on the north shore of Lake Apopka as the John Anderson Wildlife Drive and Trail System.

Anderson, a Country Music Hall of Famer inducted in 2024, has long held importance in the state and "Seminole Wind" already plays regularly at Florida State University football games. The designation celebrates Florida's cultural icons and natural legacy through direct executive measures, aligning with ongoing efforts to preserve the state's distinctive identity and environment.