Florida Forever has helped our state safeguard irreplaceable habitat for nearly 200 rare and imperiled species — from Florida panthers and bears to sea turtles and manatees. But last year, for the first time in more than 20 years, the legislature slashed funding for this landmark conservation program — and there’s a real chance that it could happen again in 2010.
Defenders and our allies are organizing a citizen lobby day at the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 7th to urge our state leaders to support funding for Florida Forever – and we need your help to make an impact!
RSVP now to let us know that you’ll be joining us at the Capitol to defend Florida Forever and the amazing wildlife it helps to protect. Be sure to check in with us at the Defenders table when you arrive!
What: Citizen Lobby Day to Defend Florida Forever at the Capitol!
When: Wednesday, April 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Florida State Capitol – Waller Park (near the dolphin fountain)
400 South Monroe Street – Tallahassee, FL 32399
Since 2001, the Florida Forever Act has allowed our state to:
protect more than 2.4 million acres of ecologically-sensitive lands for future generations – including irreplaceable habitat for endangered animals
safeguard and restore our water resources, coastlines and beaches,
provide more parks and outdoor recreation areas for our communities, and
preserve some of Florida’s most important cultural and historical sites.
Leaving the Florida Forever program in limbo for another year could jeopardize our wildlife heritage — especially when good business sense tells us that the state is in a position to acquire exceptional lands at affordable prices.
Help us build your legislators’ support to keep it going by joining us at this historic event at the Capitol on Wednesday.
This year’s legislative session is already underway, so we need to step up our efforts to let our state leaders know how many of their constituents support this invaluable program and care about conserving Florida’s wildlife and wild lands.
I hope you can join us in Tallahassee on Wednesday to urge your legislators to give Florida Forever the support it needs to continue protecting our most imperiled animals — from panthers and bears, to scrub jays and gopher tortoises.
RSVP now to let us know we can count on you to attend – and don’t forget to check in with us at the Defenders of Wildlife table when you arrive at the Capitol! http://action.defenders.org/site/R?i=NzDOZ0rx6C2mEk1WcWC0MQ..
See you there!
Laurie Macdonald
Florida Program Director
Defenders of Wildlife
