The Nature Conservancy in Florida - Florida Forever Updates

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Visit this page often for reports, press release and the latest action by The Nature Conservancy and the Florida Forever Coalition to support the creation of a Florida Forever successor program.

July 1, 2008: Florida Forever Becomes Law — Governor Crist signed into law late Monday Senate bill 542, which extends the Florida Forever program through 2020 at $300 million a year. The new law goes into effect today. Learn more.

June 19, 2008: Florida Forever Bill Presented to Governor — The Legislature formally presented the Florida Forever successor bill (Senate bill 542) to Governor Crist today. The governor has until July 4 to sign the bill, allow it to become law without his signature or veto it. The Florida Forever Coalition expects the Governor to sign the bill as early as next week.

May 2, 2008: Legislative Session Concludes — The 2008 Legislative Session of the Florida Legislature ended today at approximately 6 p.m. Earlier today, the Senate approved the FY 2008-2009 State budget, which the House approved yesterday. The budget includes the approximately $8 million needed to launch $300 million in bonds for Florida Forever next year, and $50 million for Everglades restoration. Both the House and Senate earlier unanimously approved legislation (Senate bill 542) to extend the Florida Forever program through 2020 at $300 million a year.

April 30, 2008: House Passes Florida Forever Bill — At 9:45 a.m. today the House unanimously passed the Florida Forever successor bill (Senate bill 542) without amendment. This is the final legislative step for this bill, which the governor is expected to sign.

April 23, 2008: Senate Passes Florida Forever Successor Bill. The bill reauthorizes Florida Forever for another 10 years at $300 million annually.

April 18, 2008: Florida Forever Funding in Budget . House leaders agree to include $300 million in next year's budget for Florida Forever.

April 17, 2008: Budget Conference Committee Convenes Today. Fate of next year's Florida Forever funding to be decided.

April 16, 2008: Senate Action on Successor Bill. Florida Senate gives initial passage to Florida Forever successor bill.

April 7, 2008: House Proposes No Funding for Florida Forever. Florida's legislators are considering bills that are key to the future of Florida Forever.

March 27, 2008: Florida Forever Coalition Growing, Surpasses 100-Member Mark. More than 92 percent of Florida’s residents live in counties that support Florida Forever.

March 18, 2008: Cabinet Members, Legislators Support Florida Forever Successor. Florida Forever Coalition hosts capitol event to highlight Florida’s conservation lands.

March 11, 2008: Florida Forever Coalition to Host Florida Forever Day at the Capitol on March 18. Members of the Florida Forever Coalition are proud to host Florida Forever Day at the Capitol on March 18. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Florida Capitol Courtyard (area between the old and new capitol buildings).

March 5, 2008: Crist, Pruitt Call for a Successor to Florida Forever Both the governor and the senate president call on legislators to protect Florida's precious natural resources during 2008 Legislative Session.

February 6, 2008: Florida Forever Buffers Florida Military Bases to Protect Economy and Ecosystems
An invigorated Florida Forever program combined with federal dollars allocated for base buffering will help protect Florida bases from future realignments or closures, according to the Conservancy and officials from the Florida Defense Alliance.

February 4, 2008: Florida Forever Coalition Proposes Successor Program
Download an outline of major legislation to reauthorize and
expand the Florida Forever program.

January 18, 2008: Florida Forever Coalition Backs Florida Forever Bonding
This letter to Governor Crist outlines the Florida Forever Coalition's proposal to immediately double bonding for Florida Forever to $600 million annually and to double it to again to $900 million in 2013. An invaluable, disappearing asset (at the rate of more than 400 acres a day), land is in fact uniquely suited for investment through bonding because it is available for protection today — and not in the future.

December 21, 2007: Conservation Community Rallies Around State’s Effort to Protect Florida’s Vanishing Natural Lands
Public support and interest in Florida’s natural future overflow at acquisition meeting.

December 7, 2007: Acquisition and Restoration Council Prioritizes Florida Forever Projects
There are currently 106 projects on the Florida Forever list. The estimated value of the list is $17 billion. The top 21 ("or Super 21") are the only projects that are supposed to be pursued with the remaining Florida Forever dollars. The remaining funding cannot meet a fraction of the conservation lands needed to sustain Florida's environment and its wildlife conservation needs including the water resources needed to support the state's economy. These priorities will be formalized and adopted by the Governor and Cabinet in February 2008. Download a copy of the Florida Forever list. For details about these projects, visit the Department of Environmental Protection's Web site.

October 6, 2006: The Conservancy Releases "Protecting Wild Florida" Report
The report calls for protecting an additional 2 million acres to secure the health of Florida’s major natural systems. Report Recommends Acreage Needed to Secure the Health of Florida’s Major Natural Systems
Download the report (.pdf, 4.5 MB)