Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that a controversial proposal by his administration to develop golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels at state parks is “going back to the drawing board.” – Associated Press, Aug 28, 2024
Thanks to a heroic state employee whistleblower, this summer Floridians learned about Gov. DeSantis’ secretive scheme to develop hotels, pickleball courts, and even golf courses in our pristine state parks. Grassroots protests erupted across the state, political leaders from both sides of the aisle condemned the plan, and the idea was quickly scrapped – or was it?
Despite receiving blowback throughout Florida, DeSantis said his so-called “Great Outdoors Initiative” was “going back to the drawing board,” signaling his intention to revive it. And now we know who might be doing his bidding: DeSantis just appointed Alexis Lambert, a career state employee with virtually no environmental experience, to lead the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
If there’s one thing every Floridian can agree on, it is that our state parks exist to protect our natural treasures, not to be paved over.
That’s why we’re counting on you to keep up the pressure and let the new DEP leader know that our parks are to be preserved for future generations, not parceled off to Ron DeSantis’ politically connected allies and developer donors.
Urge DEP Secretary Lambert to reject any plan to pave in our beloved state parks.
Thank you for standing with us in defense of Florida’s natural landscape, water, and wildlife.