Florida Springs Council

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Ocala, FL
Florida Springs Council

Policy, law and advocacy for Florida’s Springs.
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This page is a place for announcements about the activities and efforts of the Florida Springs Council and its member organizations.

06/04/2026

This budget is a misrepresentation of the state’s greatest and most urgent conservation needs ‼️

The 2026-2027 Florida state budget, totaling over $114 billion, was finalized behind closed doors, without any public input, over Memorial Day Weekend. Overall, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s budget is being slashed to $2.5 billion, a nearly 40% cut to state environmental programs when compared to 2022.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: The budget now heads to the Governor’s desk. Although the Governor cannot add to the budget, he does have line-item veto power 🗣️ We’ll be sure to keep you updated on ways you can contact the Governor to speak out against particular projects in the budget, and we’ll dive deeper into specific allocations once the budget is signed.

🤝 Protecting springs and natural lands for future generations depends on us holding our legislators accountable today.

06/03/2026

Our Clean Water Spokesmanatee has spoken 🫡 Will you join the movement to keep our springs clean, flowing & healthy? Go fertilizer free, limit lawn irrigation, and encourage your neighbors to do the same!

06/02/2026

Join the Florida Springs Council for a Sip for the Springs Pop-Up 🍻 at Forward/Slash Distillery in Winter Park for an evening of learning about the best strategies we can implement to help save Florida's springs 🤝

🗓️ June 19
⏰️ 6-9 p.m.
📍 Forward/Slash Distillery
650 S Capen Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Stop by the FSC table to check out the collection of UV Long-Sleeve Shirts perfect for a day of paddling, manatee socks & hats, and FSC Stickers! 🎟️Don't forget to purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win local prize packages including an AMAZING raffle bundle from our friends at Forward/Slash Distillery!

06/01/2026

No new money will flow into the state's premier land conservation program this upcoming fiscal year — three years after lawmakers committed to spending a minimum of $100 million a year. They're set to vote on the budget today.

05/31/2026

Florida Forever is an essential program used to acquire public conservation and recreation lands like some of your favorite Florida State Parks and state forests. But, just last week the Florida Legislature gutted the program and did not allocate any new funding to Florida Forever ‼️ Conserving natural lands is critical to protect and restore Florida's already polluted springs!

We need to hold our legislators accountable to protect our natural lands, water and wildlife!

05/30/2026

MAY 30 | SPRINGS NEWS IN 90 SECONDS 💦

Update on the Florida Budget! We’ll share a further break down of conservation funding after the Governor signs the budget!

05/29/2026

Shoutout to Representative Cross for once again taking a STRONG stand for Florida Forever on the House Floor yesterday during debate on the budget 👏

“The budget that we see today does not reflect one of the most fundamental Floridian values, and that is safe and affordable access to Florida’s natural treasures.”

took time to explain the critical need to fund Florida Forever and buy conservation lands outright, spelling out the differences between conservation easements and fee-simple acquisitions, which offer essential public access and recreational opportunities. There is NO new funding for Florida Forever in this year’s budget, and as Rep. Cross explained the Legislature needs to “reimagine and reinvest” in conservation programs like Florida Forever‼️

05/28/2026

Springs Advocates spotted reppin' FSC on a hike in the Seminole State Forest 🤩 You can get one of our 'Protect Florida Springs' shirts online at floridaspringscouncil.org/shop

🥾 Friends of Wekiva recently led a tour through the Seminole State Forest stopping at some cool hidden springs 👀 and teaching members more about the Wekiva River Basin! Friends of the Wekiva River is a fantastic local springs group to get involved with, and they have been great partners and support for our legal challenges and events 👏 Be sure to check them out if you're in the area!

05/27/2026

We're big fans of this Cool Turtle design by Old Florida Vibes 🐢 You can get this guy on a UV long-sleeve to protect your skin in this Florida heat 🥵 Stay cool & paddle on 💧 Our Springs shirts and other swag are the perfect way to show off your support for springs protection - Available online at floridaspringscouncil.org/shop

05/25/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS FROM SEEKING RENTS 📰 “Florida lawmakers may buy more land from the same donor they paid $83 million to last year”

From the article: The last-minute budget language does not identify any specific properties to be acquired. A spokesperson for House Speaker Danny Perez (R-Miami) — whose chamber suggested the language — did not respond to email requests seeking more details about the land the Legislature intends to purchase.

But property records show that a pair of companies — “Okaloosa Island Prime Properties LLC” and “Intracoastal Marina at Destin Pass LLC” — own at least four parcels of vacant land immediately next to the Okaloosa County section of the Gulf Islands Nation Seashore. The four parcels total more than 6 acres combined.

Corporate records show that Okaloosa Island Prime Properties LLC and Intracoastal Coastal Marina at Destin Pass LLC are both managed by a Louisiana-based real-estate developer and Republican Party donor named Robert Guidry. Guidry was also the owner of four acres of vacant land in Destin that Florida bought last year for more than $20 million an acre — after GOP legislators in Tallahassee pulled off a nearly identical budget maneuver.

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Raiding Florida Wildlife Corridor funds to bail out political donors is just egregious, especially when the State’s conservation land acquisition programs are being gutted. 🗞️ Read the full article at the link in our bio or check out jasongarcia.substack.com

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Ocala, FL

Website

http://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/, https://linkin.bio/floridaspringscouncil

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