Join the Florida Action Network For Email Marketing you can trust

Below are the latest actions by The Nature Conservancy and the Florida Forever Coalition to support of the Florida Forever program.

May 6, 2009: Full Statement by The Nature Conservancy: While we are disappointed that Florida Forever did not receive new funding for 2009, it is important to acknowledge that the Florida Forever program will continue because of the efforts of the Legislature to ensure that the existing $250 million dollars of bond authority can be issued and spent. Moreover, we are hopeful that the documentary stamp loophole fix in SB 2640 and an improving economy will set the stage for full Florida Forever funding next year.

May 5, 2009: No New Money for Florida Forever: Senate Bill 2600, the 2009 General Appropriations Act was placed on Legislators' desks for final adoption on Friday, May 8, 2009. The budget includes language that allows $250 million dollars of Florida Forever bonds that were authorized on the 2008-2009 to be issued. However, the budget fails to include debt service to issue a new series of bonds for 2009-2010.

April 29, 2009: FLORIDA FOREVER REMAINS ALIVE: While Florida Forever is not currently in either version of Senate or House passed budgets, we know that partial Florida Forever funding is contained in SB 2430, which has been passed by the Senate. This bill must be negotiated by the two houses (in a Senate-House budget conference) -- and, with the correct outcome, Florida Forever funding will be realized!

April 28, 2009: The Senate bill that deals with closing the documentary stamp tax loophole is still on track to pass in the Senate. SB 2430 would provide approximately $46M in additional doc stamp revenue for next fiscal year. A portion of this would be used to provide up to $50M in FF bonds and $50M for Everglades bonds for next fiscal year. The bill makes sure FF bonds are safe (assurance) for investors, and allow the state to issue bonds for $250M for FF for this year.

April 22, 2009: The Florida Forever Coalition delivers a letter to Governor Crist encouraging his strong support for the Senate's proposed Florida Forever and Everglades bond funding next year.

April 20, 2009: CS/CS/CS/SB 2430 and 1960 by Senator Al Lawson and Dan Gelber as amended by Senators Cary Baker closes a state tax law loophole to allow collection of documentary taxes that are being avoided on certain real estate sales.  The law could generate more than $46 million in state revenue currently being lost to through the tax loophole

April 14, 2009: The Florida Forever Coalition sends a letter to Senators urging their support on SB 2430/Baker-Lawson/Florida Forever — an amendment that would provide funding for Florida Forever.

April 6, 2007 — A new public opinion survey makes clear the extent of public support for Florida Forever, even during the recession: 81% of Florida voters hold a favorable impression of land protection, and 67% support continued funding of Florida Forever. Read more about the survey.

March 4, 2009 — The tremendous financial benefits Florida receives from its beautiful natural habitats and protected conservation lands are documented and compiled in a new report released today by The Nature Conservancy. The report — entitled “Economic Benefits of Land Conservation: A Case for Florida Forever” — makes clear the economic rewards of Florida Forever and of the state’s commitment to protecting conservation land.

February 20, 2009 — Governor Crist Proposes Full Funding of Florida Forever for 2009-2010. Gov. Crist today outlined his proposed $66.5-billion budget, including $300 million for the Florida Forever program. See the Governor's written budget presentation.

January 27, 2009 — Governor Charlie Crist today vetoed language in the FY 2008-09 State budget that would have suspended a majority of Florida Forever land acquisitions this year. Governor Crist's action restores the debt service necessary for the full $300 million in Florida Forever borrowing this year.

January 14, 2009 — The environmental land buying program, Florida Forever, will be suspended, saving $4 million for the rest of the budget year and canceling $250 million in bond sales as part of the $2.8 billion budget deficit-elimination package passed today by the Florida Legislature.

January 8, 2009 — The Nature Conservancy issued the following statement regarding funding for Florida Forever. “We understand the historic fiscal pressure underpinning the Senate’s proposal to temporarily suspend Florida Forever for the remainder of the 2008-2009 fiscal year,” Danter said. “The Nature Conservancy applauds the commitment of the Senate leadership to continue Florida Forever in the future, and we will work with the Senate and House, and the Governor, to provide Florida Forever funding during the Regular Session beginning in March.”

November 24, 2008 — The Florida Forever Coalition has urged Governor Crist to include in his proposal State Budget for FY 2009-2010 the approximately $10 million appropriation for Florida Forever debt service. See the Coalition’s letter to Gov. Crist. The coalition also urged the State Senate and State House to back the appropriation necessary for Florida Forever borrowing.

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)