Join Waterkeepers Florida’s Call to Protect Florida State Parks
Last summer, thousands of Floridians rallied together to oppose a ridiculous proposal to build hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts in State Parks across Florida. In response to that outcry, legislators have filed Senate Bill 80, the “State Park Preservation Act” to prevent similar threats in the future. While this bill is a step in the right direction, It needs stronger language to adequately protect our parks. Tell our legislators to strengthen SB 80 to protect our parks!
Contact Your Legislators
This call to action is a tangible way to get involved and let your legislators know that you want them to make decisions that protect our parks, waterways and communities – for the river, and for us all! Let’s preserve natural Florida for generations to come.
More Information
We are glad that state legislators have heard our voices and filed Senate Bill 80/ House Bill 209 the “State Park Preservation Act” to prevent the development and destruction of state parks. However, while this bill is well-intended, it needs stronger language to adequately protect our parks.
Contact the bill sponsors and urge them to:
- Strengthen conservation intent
- Remove language encouraging development in ‘disturbed’ areas
- Clarify rules for unsolicited development proposals
- Eliminate vague terms that weaken protections
- Add explicit prohibitions and definitions
- Extend protections to state forests and wildlife management areas
Customized emails are more impactful. You can include things like:
- Which parks in your community were targeted last summer
- Descriptions of people rallying to protect our parks last summer
- The importance of state parks to you and your family
- An expression of gratitude for filing this bill, paired with a request to strengthen the language
Together, we will make a difference. For the river, for us all.