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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.

TALLAHASSEE, FL—March 5, 2008—In his annual State of the State address Gov. Crist emphasized the need to protect Florida's environment by renewing the Florida Forever program.

"We must maintain our commitment to protect Florida's natural beauty and resources. We must establish a successor to Florida Forever," the governor said during his annual address to the legislature.

Senate President Ken Pruitt also called for the continuation of Florida Forever during his opening remarks: "We have made tremendous investments in our precious environment, including the Northern Everglades Act passed just last year, and we plan to continue the efforts. Our focus this year will be creating a successor program to Florida Forever, extending our environmentally sensitive land purchase program to take us into the next generation."

Florida Forever has made possible historic, on-the-ground conservation for Florida. However, today Florida Forever is falling behind in addressing the most critical land conservation needs of Florida. The $300 million that we invest in land conservation has not increased in more than 18 years — during which time the cost of land has doubled and tripled in parts of our state.

Thirty-three counties, 16 municipalities and 46 organizations have signed formal resolutions supporting an increase in Florida Forever funding and a continuation and expansion of the program.