“This legislative session presents an opportunity to close the gaps in Florida’s law that allowed for development proposals that would have irreparably harmed our state parks in the first place.” –From a letter signed by Progress Florida and over 70 conservation organizations and businesses to legislative leaders
Last year, Floridians throughout the state erupted in protest at Gov. Ron DeSantis’ sneaky scheme to develop hotels, pickleball courts, and even golf courses in our pristine state parks. DeSantis was forced to abandon his plan, but he also signaled his intention to revive it by going “back to the drawing board.”
Right now, the “State Park Protection Act” (SB 80/HB 209), which aims to prevent DeSantis, or any future governor, from recklessly paving over our beloved state parks is moving through the Legislature.
We need your help to not only ensure this legislation passes, but to make it stronger.
Among the most critically needed improvements to this bill would be amending it to state explicitly what developments would be prohibited and extending protections for state forests and wildlife management areas. We need to send a clear message to lawmakers that the public wants the strongest possible protection for our state parks and conservation lands.
Overwhelming public support for this bill is crucial for another reason: once it passes the Legislature, it will end up on Gov. DeSantis’ desk, where he could sign or veto it. DeSantis started this fight, and now we need another groundswell of public support to end it for good.