Landowner Advocacy for Land Conservation Programs

February 2, 2018

 

Florida Conservation Group advocates on behalf of landowners from around the state for Rural and Family Lands and Florida Forever funding. These programs protect our water and wildlife for future generations. We’ve teamed with the Florida Cattlemen’s Association to ask our legislature to invest in natural and agricultural Florida and fund these programs. Contact us for more info: info@floridaconserve.org

 

Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP)

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program under Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. RFLPP’s primary mission is the protection of agricultural lands.

 

Florida Forever

Florida’s conservation lands program under Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FF Program does BOTH fee-simple and conservation easements). The primary goals of Florida Forever conservation easements are to: protect high priority natural resource areas and ensure our water resources are protected.

 

What we are asking: 2019 Budget

 

  • Provide $100 million in funds for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
  • Restore $100 million in funding for Florida Forever conservation easement projects

 

RFLPP and Florida Forever are critical to the health of the landscape; they both protect water quality and supply for urban areas, maintain our agricultural economy, protect Florida’s tourist economy and military base buffers. Funding these conservation easement programs is an investment in Florida’s future and is critical to our quality of life. There are over ONE MILLION ACRES waiting to be protected under these programs!

 

Please call the following legislators and make your voices heard!

 

LEGISLATORS TO CONTACT for Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands Funding

 

Senator Rob Bradley (Chair of Senate Environment and Nat. Resources Appropriations/ Chair of Senate Appropriations)

D (904) 278-2085   T  (850) 487-5005

Marion, Levy, Dixie, Suwannee, Layfette, Union, Bradford, Clay, Baker, Columbia, Gilchrist

http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s5

Senator Denise Grimsley (Chair of Senate Agriculture)

D (863-465-2626) T (850) 487-5026

Hardee, Desoto, Charlotte, Highlands. Okeechobee, Glade https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s26

 

Senator Bill Galvano (Appropriations and Future Senate President 2018-2020)

T- (850) 487-5021 D (941) 741-3401

Manatee and SE Hillsborough https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s21

 

Senator Wilton Simpson (Senate Majority Leader)

T (850) 487-5010 D (352-540-6074)

Citrus, Hernando central Pasco https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s10

 

Senator Negron (Senate President)

T (850) 487-5025 D (772) 219-1665

St Lucie, Martin, NE Palm Beach https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s25

 

Senator Lauren Book (Vice Chair, Senate Environment. Approps)

T (850) 487-5032 D (954) 424-6674

West Broward https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s32

 

HOUSE

Rep Richard Corcoran (Speaker of House)

T (850) 717-5037 D (813) 792-5177

Part Pasco http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4503

 

Rep Matt Caldwell (Chair of Gov’t Accountability)

T (850) 717-5079 D (239) 694-0161

Part Lee http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4513

 

Rep Jose Oliva (Future Speaker of House 2018-2020)

T (850) 717-5110 D (305) 364-3114 Part Miami-Dade http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4534&LegislativeTermId=86

 

Rep. Carlos Trujillo (Chair of House Appropriations)

T (850) 717-5105 D (305) 470-5070

Collier, Miami Dade Part Broward

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4527