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.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL—December 14, 2007—The need for a Florida Forever Program successor to replenish the state’s dwindling supply of dollars available to spend on protecting natural areas resounded at the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) meeting that concluded today. Members released a revised list of projects awaiting protection, ranked by biological value and other considerations, as a way to help decision-makers prioritize purchases. Florida Forever has only about $25 million left to spend before the program expires in 2010, with land valued at more than $15 billion still on the current A and B lists.

“There was standing room only, a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and an overwhelming demonstration of the need for a successor program,” said Richard Hilsenbeck, The Nature Conservancy’s associate director of protection who works extensively with ARC on the natural resource values of potential conservation lands. ARC has sole responsibility for the evaluation, selection and ranking of state land acquisition projects on Florida Forever’s A and B lists.

“The integrity ARC brings to the rankings is the first step in creating public trust,” said Sen. Lisa Carlton (R-Osprey). “The public can then recognize the importance of this effort and encourage the legislature — even in challenging financial times — to find the dollars necessary to fund the program.”

The Nature Conservancy, as a member of the Florida Forever Coalition, is urging the creation of a successor program with double the current funding allocation.

“The allocation for Florida Forever at $300 million a year has not increased in 17 years while land prices have skyrocketed. With prices stabilizing, right now is the perfect time to create a new program funded at a minimum of $600 million to take advantage of the large, intact landscapes that are for sale,” said Jeff Danter, Florida director of The Nature Conservancy. “Now is the time to protect our water resources, our wildlife corridors and the lifestyle Floridians cherish.”

The Conservancy partnered with the Sarasota Conservation Foundation to get a new project, the Myakka Ranchlands, on the A list. "It is a great day for southwest Florida and for conservation,” said Albert Joerger, founder/president of the foundation. “I am especially grateful for the teamwork between several conservation partners, including Sarasota County, and the landowners that made this success possible."

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. With funding from the voter approved Florida Forever program and our generous donors the Conservancy has helped protect more than 1.2 million acres in Florida since 1961. Visit us on the Web at nature.org/florida.