Save Rattlesnake Key

06/20/2026

Hard to believe this is what it would have looked like this is Miami cruise port from
Museum of science in Miami views # don’t Miami my manatee

06/20/2026

This is probably what it would have looked like if we didn’t stop it thanks everyone for the great distance

03/19/2026

03/14/2026

https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article315044774.html?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=69b5365cc9ecb000014946ab&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZnRzaAQiabNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEets2LPKwOOTzl5i7ORcjaIfHMwIuk-ovDrvawFt3FpqPHP6gxXFWqEEIciYk_aem_kgaIo4RqU-POQIcDaIDR2g

“We anticipate a long battle ahead,” one local environmental group said.

03/14/2026

03/09/2026

Dear Friends

Hold onto your life jackets—we've just dropped anchor on a HUGE win for Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve and Manatee County!

Today, March 9, 2026, the Florida House unanimously passed Senate Bill 302 (YEAS 109, NAYS 0)—the same version the Senate sent over with Senator Jim Boyd's rock-solid amendment (117522). That amendment slams the brakes on large-scale dredging and filling in the preserve, allowing only tiny, approved projects like small marinas, public boat ramps, piers, or docks. In other words: No mega-dredging for a mega-cruise port. The deep channels those big ships dream of? Not on our watch—they just ran aground!

The Senate already gave it a unanimous thumbs-up back on February 19, so both chambers are now singing from the same hymn sheet. The bill is sailing straight to the Governor's desk for signature (effective July 1, 2026, if signed). This isn't just a speed bump for the cruise port proposal—it's more like the whole idea just hit an iceberg of common sense and community power. Time to wave goodbye to those grand "all aboard" plans in Terra Ceia Bay!

And make no mistake—this victory didn't happen by chance. Nearly 20,000 of you signed the petition, shared the word, called your reps, showed up at rallies, and kept the pressure on like a steady tide. Your determination turned the tide and made lawmakers listen. You didn't just sign—you helped sink a bad idea before it could set sail and spoil our waters, wildlife, mangroves, and way of life.

From the bottom of my heart (and the top of Tampa Bay): Thank you. Thank you for every signature, every share, every "hell no" to the cruise port dreamers. This one's for the birds, the fish, the seagrass, and every Bradenton/Manatee and Tampa Bay resident who values our beautiful bay over a floating parking lot.

The fight isn't fully docked until the Governor signs, but today's passage is the nail in the coffin—The cruise port's grand voyage just got permanently canceled in this spot.

Let's keep the good vibes flowing:

Watch for the Governor's signature update.

Corey Mckeever

03/07/2026

Key Update: Sen. Jim Boyd's critical amendment is now part of SB 302 (Coastal Resiliency), and it's heading to the Florida House floor THIS MONDAY, March 9, 2026.

- The Senate unanimously passed SB 302 (38-0) on February 19 after adopting Sen. Boyd's Amendment 117522. This language strictly limits dredging and filling in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve—exactly the kind of massive dredging the cruise port developers would need to build channels for large ships.
- Media reports confirm this amendment was designed to protect the preserve and could effectively block or severely hinder the port project by restricting the submerged land alterations required.
- As of March 5, the engrossed bill (including Boyd's amendment) was added to the House Special Order Calendar for Monday, March 9—meaning it's prioritized for debate and a potential vote in the House this week.

This is one of our strongest legislative shots yet to stop this port before it moves forward. The session ends March 13, so this Monday could be make-or-break!
You can see below it has been added Monday am special session

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/00302

02/27/2026

https://fb.watch/Fx75VQcpnm/?

02/25/2026

💔 With heavy hearts, We mourn the sudden passing of Manatee County District 1 Commissioner Carol Ann Felts yesterday, February 24, 2026.

Commissioner Felts was a true champion for our environment and our community. An eighth-generation Floridian who lived her values every day, she fought tirelessly to protect our precious natural lands, wetlands, and waterways. She served on the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisitions Committee (ELMAC), the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program—always keeping the health of our bays, rivers, and rural character at the forefront of every decision.

She defeated a developer-backed candidate to take her seat because she believed, as we do, that protecting Terra Ceia Bay and our coastal treasures must come before profit-driven projects that threaten them. Her voice was one of reason, stewardship, and love for this special place we call home.

Carol, thank you for every stand you took for clean water, healthy mangroves, and the future of our bay. You will be deeply missed, and your legacy will continue to guide us.

We hope that whomever Governor Ron DeSantis appoints shares values that align with what Manatee County residents want and deserve — putting environmental protection, clean water, healthy wetlands, and stopping threats like the proposed cruise port first, just as Commissioner Felts always did.

Please reach out to Governor DeSantis today and respectfully share what qualities you believe the new commissioner should have:
📞 Governor’s Office: (850) 717-9337
🌐 Online contact form: https://www.flgov.com/eog/leadership/people/ron-desantis/contact

If you or anyone you know is interested in serving as the interim District 1 Commissioner until the November 2026 election, applications are now being accepted through the Governor’s Appointments Office.
Apply online here: https://eogforms.eog.myflorida.com/pages/SeatApplication.aspx
Appointments Office: (850) 717-9243 or [email protected]

Share this post, tag friends and neighbors, and let your voice be heard. Together, we honor Carol’s memory by continuing the fight to Save Terra Ceia Bay.

Rest in peace, Commissioner Felts. Your work will not be forgotten. 🌿💙