Florida Native Plant Society Blog

A coalition of 70 conservation organizations, including both the Florida Native Plant Society and the Ixia Chapter of FNPS submitted this letter to the lead sponsors of Senate Bill 80 and House Bill 209. Known as the State Parks Preservation Act, the legislation is intended to prevent future attacks on our State Parks – attacks like the one last fall that sparked so much public outrage across Florida. We all appreciate Senator Harrell filing SB08 and Senator Bradley’s co-sponsorship, and Representative Snyder’s sponsorship of the companion bill in the House. The coalition has shared recommended language with the legislation’s sponsors that would more explicitly prohibit such uses as golf courses and hotels, and provide additional guidance to prevent other incompatible uses or developments that would commercialize or materially disturb the resources protected within our Parks. “We just don’t want to be back here again next year, the year after, fighting the same battle, we just suggest...

This article is from the current Sabal minor, which is only accessible in its entirety to FNPS members. Take a moment to join if you don't find the whole newsletter in your inbox today. In the last issue of the Sabal minor , we provided an overview of the M-CORES toll road projects and summarized some of the potential impacts to native plants if the proposed roads are constructed.  We also assured you that the Policy and Legislation Committee would continue to follow and assess the projects, and share the results of our assessments with the Florida Department of Transportation and the members of the respective Task Forces.  This is a brief update on what has transpired since the last Sabal minor . Please try to attend a task force meeting if at all feasible. Suncoast Connector Task Force Task Force Meeting #4 February 11, 2020, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Madison Church of God Life Center 771 NE Colin Kelly Hwy Madison, FL Community Open Houses January 28, 202...