Florida Conservation Group (FCG) 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. FCG has teamed with the Florida Cattlemen’s Association to ask our legislature to invest in natural and agricultural Florida and fund these programs.
2019 Budget Request
- Provide $100 million in funds for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
- Restore $100 million in funding for Florida Forever conservation easement projects
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.
- Acres in Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Top Tier: 222,136 acres
Florida Forever
Florida’s conservation lands program under the 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.
- Current acres on Less-Than-Fee Florida Forever Project list: 703,079 acres
RFLPP and Florida Forever are critical to the health of the landscape; Both programs:
- Protect water quality and supply for urban areas,
- Maintain our agricultural economy, and
- Protect Florida’s tourism and military base buffers.
Both programs partner with other local, state and federal programs to leverage resources and maximize protection benefits.
Funding these conservation easement programs is an investment in Florida’s future and is critical to our quality of life.
For more information: info@floridaconserve.org
Please call the following legislators and make your voices heard!
Senator Rob Bradley (Chair, 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- running for Comm of Ag)
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 Senate President Designate 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 (Chair, Senate Environmental Appropriations)
T (850) 487-5032 D (954) 424-6674
West Broward
https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s32
Senator Dorothy Hukill (Vice Chair, Senate Environmental Appropriations)
T (850) 487-5014 D (386) 304-7630
Volusia, Brevard
http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/S14
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 (running for Comm. of AG, Ways and Means, Rules and Policy and 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 (House Speaker Designate 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
Rep. Charlie Stone (Vice Chair, House Subcommittee on Ag & Nat Res Appropriations)
T (850) 717-5022 D (352) 291-4436
Levy, Marion
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4537
Rep. Kristin Jacobs (Dem. Ranking Member, House Subcommittee on Ag & Nat Res)
T (850) 717-5096 D (954) 956-5600
Broward
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4613