Florida Forever

Florida Forever
Name	Florida Forever
Established	1999
Agency	Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Type	land conservation program
Status	active

Florida Forever is a statewide land conservation and recreation acquisition program administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that funds the purchase and management of sensitive lands, watersheds, and public recreation areas. It was created by the Florida Legislature as a successor to the Preservation 2000 program to address habitat protection, water resource protection, and outdoor recreation needs across the state. The program interacts with federal, state, county, municipal, and non-governmental partners to secure parcels linked to landscape-scale conservation, watershed restoration, and public access initiatives.

History

Florida Forever originated after passage of legislation by the Florida Legislature in the late 1990s, replacing the earlier Preservation 2000 initiative begun under governors such as Lawton Chiles and implemented during administrations including Jeb Bush and later Charlie Crist. Early work built on conservation priorities identified by agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the St. Johns River Water Management District. Major milestones include acquisitions coordinated with federal programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund and partnerships with national organizations including the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club. Over successive gubernatorial administrations — including Ron DeSantis — the program evolved through legislative appropriations, ballot measures, and strategic plans developed by entities such as the Florida Natural Areas Inventory and the Florida Department of State.

Program Structure and Funding

Florida Forever is governed by statutes passed by the Florida Legislature and administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection with input from advisory bodies like the Acquisition and Restoration Council. Funding streams have included general revenue appropriations, bond issues approved by the Florida Cabinet and funded via state trust funds, and sometimes voter-approved amendments similar in legislative character to Amendment 1 (2014). The program coordinates budgeting with the five regional water management districts: the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the South Florida Water Management District, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (duplicate agencies noted for regional roles), and the St. Johns River Water Management District. Financial partnerships often involve federal agencies such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, conservation NGOs including the Trust for Public Land and the Robertson Foundation, and municipal entities like Miami-Dade County and Hillsborough County.

Conservation and Land Acquisition

Acquisitions focus on ecosystems such as Everglades National Park-adjacent wetlands, Big Cypress National Preserve-linked hydrological units, Apalachicola National Forest bufferlands, and coastal barrier islands including tracts near Canaveral National Seashore and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Florida Forever targets priority parcels identified by conservation partners such as the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, the Audubon Society, and the World Wildlife Fund. Projects include working with federal programs like the North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants and collaborating with regional land trusts such as 1000 Friends of Florida and the Conservation Fund. Acquisition methods range from fee-simple purchase and conservation easements with private entities including large landowners and timber firms to cooperative agreements with utilities such as Tallahassee Utilities and transportation agencies including the Florida Department of Transportation for greenway corridors and scenic easements.

Management and Stewardship

Post-acquisition stewardship is carried out by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, regional water management districts, county parks departments such as Brevard County Parks and Recreation, and non-profit managers like the Nature Conservancy and Audubon Florida. Management activities include prescribed fire regimes coordinated with the Florida Park Service and invasive species control addressing pests regulated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Restoration projects often integrate science from institutions such as the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Florida State University Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, and research at the Everglades Foundation. Recreational planning draws on standards from the National Park Service and local recreation departments in cities like Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Orlando to provide trails, boat ramps, and interpretive facilities.

Notable Projects and Impact

Noteworthy Florida Forever acquisitions and projects include parcels contributing to the Green Swamp protection, expansions adjacent to Myakka River State Park, buffer lands around the Wakulla Springs and additions near the Philippe Park corridor. The program has supported watershed protections impacting the Caloosahatchee River, Hillsborough River, and Indian River Lagoon, and assisted in conservation of species habitat for federally listed species managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state-listed species monitored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Collaborations with organizations such as the Trust for Public Land, the Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, and Audubon Florida have resulted in large contiguous tracts that benefit landscape connectivity valued by researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and conservationists from Duke University. Economic and recreational impacts are reflected in increased visitation to sites adjacent to municipalities like St. Augustine and counties including Pinellas County and Lee County.

Criticisms and Controversies

Critiques of the program have centered on funding fluctuations driven by policy decisions in the Florida Legislature and executive priorities under governors including Rick Scott, raising concerns from advocacy groups like the Sierra Club and Florida Conservation Voters. Controversies include debates over prioritization between acquisition and maintenance, disputes involving potential transfers to Florida Department of Transportation for right-of-way, and legal challenges by private landowners and developers represented by organizations such as the Florida Home Builders Association. Environmental groups have sometimes contested acquisitions near development zones in counties like Broward County and Palm Beach County, while agricultural stakeholders and industry associations, including the Florida Sugar Cane League, have lobbied for alternative land-use policies. Litigation and public comment processes have involved courts such as the Florida Supreme Court and administrative hearings overseen by the Division of Administrative Hearings.

Category:Florida conservation programs