Surfrider Foundation First Coast Chapter

10/20/2025

ACTION ALERT! 🚨 ‼️ 🚨

Please send a quick email today to help preserve conservation lands funding in St. John’s County!

Commissioner Whitehurst said the $3 million* annual allotment for conservation with Impact Fees may be "hard for residents to digest." But a county survey found preservation to be residents’ #1 priority! There’s still time for commissioners to change their vote on that issue which lost 3-1 (Taylor supporting the $3 million recommendation; Joseph was out on a medical emergency.) They vote again on Impact Fees TOMORROW (OCT. 21).

Commissioner Murphy defended his vote for $1.5M by writing that land purchased with this funding must include public access (i.e. trails, parking, etc.). However, if we’re spending money on trails and parking anyway with the $1.5M, then wouldn’t it make sense for the land being purchased to be larger rather than smaller? Politely suggest why we need the full $3 million for conservation from Impact Fees, especially in light of the severe cut on LAMP funding which puts us at an all-time low (with inflation).

A builder's group falsely claimed that our county is one third in conservation; however, Attorney Jen Lomberk, the Matanzas Riverkeeper, has soundly and repeatedly refuted that figure with evidence that the county is only 23% in conservation.
Point of interest: Whitehurst tried to cut the very first LAMP allotment from $500,000 to $370,000.

Please write commissioners ASAP to request the full $3 million allotment recommended for Impact Fee conservation fees, and SHARE.

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

This is the third agenda item in this coming Tuesday's meeting, where SB 180 will also be discussed as Agenda item #2.https://stjohnsclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102125arbcc.pdf

You can view the meeting online here: https://www.sjcfl.us/watch-govtv-live/

Or come give public comment in person at 500 San Sebastian View. Meeting begins at 9 a.m.

*$3 million is the highest defensible amount that can be designated for the conservation impact fee, according to the county’s consultant.

06/28/2025

It’s a beautiful day! Great turnout this morning from our friends of the ocean!

06/27/2025

Join us in the morning as we put the protect in protect and enjoy!!! Buckets and gloves provided 😎🤙🏼

06/16/2025

05/19/2025

Action Alert🚩https://www.surfrider.org/campaigns/Stop%20the%20Guana%20Land%20Swap!

Stop the Guana Land Swap!

Just a few days left before Florida’s Acquisition & Restoration Council (ARC), the state committee responsible for overseeing conservation land acquisition and management, considers a major Northeast Florida land swap proposal on Wednesday (5/21). Sign on to Surfrider's petition urging ARC to reject the Guana River WMA Land Exchange today!

The proposal would trade 600 acres of Guana River WMA for four parcels of land scattered across the state. Guana River WMA is a coastal haven of wild land in an increasingly developed area in St. Johns County. This proposal puts these beloved lands at high risk of development — threatening outdoor recreational opportunities, coastal resilience, water quality, and key habitat and ecosystems.

The proposal has been revealed without much time for public engagement and appropriate environmental and conservation assessments. But we know that trading away treasured undeveloped lands is not good for our coasts or our communities. And once again, we must let state leaders know that jeopardizing our wild lands is not what Floridians want.

Take action today at the links in bio to urge the ARC to reject the Guana River WMA Land Swap!

05/07/2025

Join us every Third Thursday of 2025 for Friends of the Ocean Night Factory Brewing! This month we’re welcoming our expert Florida Policy Manager, Katie Bauman, to share a legislative update from this year’s Florida State Legislative session.

These are open chapter meetings and the public is welcome to attend. We also have several open executive committee positions and need some strong volunteers to step up! Let us know if you’re interested. See you there!

03/27/2025

Thanks Surfrider UF! Come on out to our end of the month cleanup on Saturday morning!
Sign up here:

Wanna join me on Saturday, March 29?
https://x.gldn.io/YbfVeiUp5Rb

03/19/2025

Hey guys! Here’s the sign up link for our March cleanup. You can go ahead and fill it out if you plan on coming to save time on the beach! https://x.gldn.io/e/7seuYDuIQRb

I’m currently in Tallahassee at the state capital lobbying for our oceans, waves, and beaches! Here’s some great info about our priorities.
https://florida.surfrider.org/legislation-0?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=2&utm_content=2&utm_source=hs_email

03/19/2025

03/06/2025

And our account is live again! Stay tuned for chapter updates 🌊 ☀️ ❤️