Keep Florida's State Parks Wild

MORE ON THE VICTORY: With multiple non=profits, NGO's, businesses and over 250,000 call and emails to the Governor's office and DEP, the current threat to our state parks ecosystems and water quality has been stopped. While this stage is a victory, we must remain vigilant for future proposals that threaten our parks. Let's take a moment and admire how all people in Florida came together to stand up to unwanted natural land development.

Surfrider Foundation’s Florida chapters are working to protect Florida’s state parks and wild spaces from development into golf courses and resorts. As Surfrider works to protect beaches, coastal habitats, and recreation areas from the impacts of climate change, and ensure our waters are safe to surf, swim, and play in, we must protect the last vestiges of wild Florida from irresponsible development that leaves our coasts vulnerable and waterways threatened by excess pollution. 

In a recent proposal by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, plans for nine park units in coastal and riverine areas of the Sunshine State were released that include new pickleball courts, golf courses, and resort-style lodging. Floridians visit and enjoy our state parks because they are undeveloped, providing access to wild landscapes that are increasingly rare in a state of exponential growth. These undeveloped lands and waters also provide coastal resilience, water quality, and recreational benefits to nearby communities. They must be protected from unfettered development at all cost. 

Surfrider’s Florida network is activating to urge Florida State Parks and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to withdraw the proposals for each of the nine park units to protect wild Florida and the myriad benefits Florida’s state parks provide for our state, coastlines, and waterways. They are also making public comments at the one upcoming opportunity for public input on the plans.