Nature Conservancy Applauds Legislators for Advancing Creative Solution for Funding Florida Forever

Closing corporate tax loophole would generate documentary stamp tax revenue to fund state’s conservation program

Altamonte Springs, FL — April 17, 2009 — The Nature Conservancy’s Florida director Jeff Danter issued the following statement on today’s progress on funding Florida Forever in the Florida Senate.

“The Nature Conservancy applauds the leadership of Senate President Jeff Atwater, Appropriations Chair J.D. Alexander, Chairman Carey Baker, Senator Al Lawson, and Senator Dan Gelber for developing a creative, bipartisan solution to continue funding for Florida Forever, one of the state’s most popular and successful programs,” said Jeff Danter, Florida director of The Nature Conservancy.

The Senate Ways & Means Committee today passed unanimously SB 2430 and an amendment by Senators Carey Baker and Al Lawson that provides $50 million for Florida Forever in FY 2009-2010.

“These are highly challenging economic times,” Danter said. “The effort by these legislators to come up with innovative solutions under adverse circumstances demonstrates their commitment to preserving Florida’s natural resources. We look forward to working to make this artful compromise a reality.”

The Nature Conservancy is working closely with its more than 125 partners in the Florida Forever Coalition to secure Florida Forever funding.

In March, the Conservancy released a report – “Economic Benefits of Land Conservation: A Case for Florida Forever” – that documented the many economic benefits that our state derives from Florida Forever. For instance, Florida's tourism pumps $65 billion annually into the economy and depends on natural resources protection. With almost 21 million visitors a year, Florida’s 161 state parks give the state economy a $1-billion economic shot in the arm, according to the report.

Earlier this month, the Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land released a public opinion survey that indicated 81 percent favorability for Florida Forever among state residents and 67 percent support for continuing the program at its historic level.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 18 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 117 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.