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Land Conservation
Florida has long supported a 'willing seller' land acquisition program to ensure Floridians, visitors, and future generations will have open protected green spaces that help to ensure we have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, access to extraordinary recreational opportunities, and the protection of habitats that support our diverse wildlife population.
Why Is This Important?
Investing in and properly managing conservation land will protect Florida's natural resources and sustain an environmentally healthy state that will attract 'clean businesses', encourage smart growth, and increase our quality of life. The economic impact of the state's recreational resources is enormous. In fiscal year 2008-2009, Florida's 160 state parks contributed $950 million to the state's economy, generated nearly 19,000 jobs, and added more than $66 million in state sales tax revenue. In the same fiscal year, more than 6,000 volunteers also contributed more than 1.2 million hours.
How Is Florida Doing?
Since 1963, Florida has invested over $7.5 billion to conserve approximately 3.8 million acres of land for environmental, recreational and preservation purposes. This was accomplished through a number of programs, including the Environmentally Endangered Lands, Outdoor Recreation, Save Our Coasts, Save Our Rivers, Conservation and Recreation Lands, Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever. With the passage of the Florida Forever Act, the State of Florida has one of the most aggressive conservation and recreation land acquisition programs not only in the United States, but the world. The program, aptly named Florida Forever, was extended an additional 10 years by the Florida Legislature in 2007. In 2008, the Legislature changed the funding distribution to Florida Forever fund recipients and provided funding for the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Program and the Rural and Family Lands Program. Due to the worldwide economic downturn, and to be fiscally responsible, funding was not appropriated for this program for fiscal year 2009-2010.
Scorecard
What Influences Land Conservation?
Our ability to conserve lands is influenced by the speed at which our state is growing, each year's legislative appropriations for acquisition of conservation lands, and finally, willing sellers and negotiating the best agreement for each unique parcel.
Our ability to manage lands is influenced by access to hiring and keeping professionals who are experienced in the control of invasive/exotic plants, best management practices, and available technologies and treatments.
Our ability to provide recreational opportunities is dependent on legislative appropriations to provide public access and enjoyment as well as the public safety role provided by our Parks Police. We also rely heavily on volunteers who provide vital support in developing and maintaining many of our state recreational opportunities.
What Is the State's Role?
The state's role is centered in three areas: land conservation, land management, and recreation.
• Land Conservation – The department works closely with residents, environmental groups, local governments, and other state agencies to determine the most appropriate land to acquire for conservation purposes.
• Land Management – The department utilizes a variety of methods to manage conservation lands, including invasive and exotic plant management and an ambitious prescribed fire, or 'controlled burns,' cooperative program.
• Recreation – The department has three categories of recreational opportunities for Floridians and our visitors. The Division of Recreation and Parks currently manages 160 state parks; the Office of Greenways and Trails manages the 110-mile Cross Florida Greenway and 8 state trails; and the Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas manages three National Estuarine Research Reserves, 41 state aquatic preserves and, in partnership with the federal government, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
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