As we previously informed you in our recent Action Alert, on Monday, August 19, 2024, Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) unveiled a proposal entitled the "2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative" which will impact numerous State Parks throughout Florida. According to the DEP, this proposal intends to expand public engagement in the parks and offer more lodging to park visitors. If it comes to fruition, the initiative could lead to adding activities such as pickleball, golf and disc golf courses, lodging and resorts as well as other additions within numerous Florida State Parks.

As a result of the immediate reaction to the proposed initiative by Florida citizens, park users, and elected officials, the DEP responded by postponing the scheduled August 27 public input meetings to a yet-to-be-finalized date in early September and is seeking larger meeting spaces. Also, the group behind the planned golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park withdrew their part of the proposal. Whether or not this means golf course development under another developer could take over the plan is unknown at this time.

While these are notable and encouraging responses to the initiative, there is still much to be resolved regarding where the Great Outdoors Initiative stands and how it may impact the initially listed and/or other parks now and in the future. The process for approving elements of the initiative may have been slowed but the concern has not ended regarding what impacts development, even in the name of increasing public engagement, may have on the parks.

It is important that those who are concerned about protecting the state parks lands continue to speak up, particularly because many of our state parks were expressly established on some of Florida’s most fragile and unique landscapes to purposefully protect habitats for endemic, endangered, and protected flora and fauna, in addition to preserving the heritage of Florida’s natural and human history.

If you signed an online petition, we thank you. But there is more to do to effectively bring your viewpoint to the eyes of the decision-makers. Please consider sending individual letters to the governor, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the seven members of the Acquisition and Restoration Council to express your views. Click this link to access the mailing list for these State officials.

Your voice speaks loudly and powerfully. The message needs to be clear: Florida’s State Parks are treasured for many reasons and are not to be next on the development list in a way that may irreparably harm Florida’s land, water, air, wildlife, and history.