By Sarah Gledhill, Florida Wildlife Federation
If there is anything we learned from Floridians’ collective outrage at the proposed developments in our state parks last year, it is that we share a deep-rooted opposition to watching our natural places vanish under concrete. What if I told you that there is an already-established state fund to conserve land before it is converted to rooftops?
In 2014, Floridians sent a resounding message to state leaders: Land and water conservation is a priority. With 75% of voters approving the Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment (Amendment 1), citizens made it clear that dedicating funds to acquire and restore Florida’s natural and recreational lands is not only desired but a public directive.
Amendment 1 was designed with a simple and powerful intent: For 20 years, 33% of real-estate transaction taxes will be used for conservation land acquisition, management and restoration through the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF). The promise was to secure meaningful and robust funding for preserving Florida’s unique ecosystems, safeguarding water quality and ensuring public access to natural lands.
Yet, a decade later, the promise of Amendment 1 remains unfulfilled.
The LATF has generated substantial revenue since Amendment 1’s passage, largely driven by Florida’s surge in real-estate purchases in recent years. This year alone, the LATF is forecast to collect $1.28 billion.
Instead of fully funding our state land conservation program, Florida Forever, the funds have been fragmented by statutory carve-outs and agency spending since the passage of Amendment 1. While many expenditures cover worthwhile conservation projects, it dilutes the impact to adequately fund land conservation, which has limited Florida Forever’s effectiveness. Florida Forever received its own statutory carve-out during the 2023 legislative session in the amount of $100 million for lands in the Florida Wildlife Corridor — far from being the robust and meaningful funding needed to protect Florida’s land, water and wildlife.
In light of an unfulfilled directive, state lawmakers have created innovative funding approaches. Significant progress to protect our natural and working lands has been made by leveraging funds from various sources.
For example, in 2023 $400 million was appropriated through nonrecurring general revenue to acquire lands in the Ocala to Osceola (O2O) Wildlife Corridor. Lawmakers in 2022 appropriated $300 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to the Rural and Family Lands Protection program, a sister program to Florida Forever that protects working ranches and agricultural lands with conservation easements. However, we must do better with the available LATF funds.
Over the next 10 years, Florida will continue to face immense growth challenges. These challenges demand bold, well-funded action that Amendment 1 envisioned.
Imagine what could be achieved if the full potential were realized. With consistent and transparent allocation of funds, Florida could expand its wildlife corridors and protect critical habitats for endangered species like the Florida panther and scrub jay. The restoration of wetlands and springs could ensure cleaner water for our communities and bolster resilience against flooding. Public lands could be enhanced and expanded, providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike while boosting local and rural economies.
In 2024, the Florida Wildlife Federation alongside conservation partners, urged lawmakers to appropriate $500 million from the LATF to the Florida Forever Program. This year we stand together again and ask the state Legislature to fund Florida Forever by appropriating $500 million. The current Florida Forever work plan has prioritized at least 2.1 million acres for conservation with an estimated value of over $18.5 billion.
From the Panhandle to the Florida Keys, Floridians have the opportunity — and responsibility — to conserve our natural heritage. The funds are available and now is the moment to act before more of wild Florida is lost to rooftops.
Sarah Gledhill is the president and CEO of the Florida Wildlife Federation, a statewide nonprofit committed to safeguarding Florida’s water, wildlife and wild spaces. This opinion piece was originally published by the Orlando Sentinel, which is a media partner of The Invading Sea. Banner photo: The sun shines through the trees at a park in Jupiter (iStock image).
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