Government Relations

The Nature Conservancy in Florida accomplishes so much through our projects and programs across the state, while providing sound science and expertise to those in government who prioritize and act on our conservation challenges. 

TNC shares conservation messages with legislators to empower positive action and thoughtful discussion. We meet regularly with state and federal elected officials on issues important to the future of nature and people. In their own districts and beyond, representatives have joined us outdoors to get a first-hand look at issues, natural systems, and management. Officials have joined us at our preserves, in the water, and even onsite for prescribed fire among the longleaf pines. There’s nothing like experiencing nature close-up to gain a deeper understanding and a feeling of ownership that encourages protection, conservation, and the allocation of much needed funds.

The Nature Conservancy in Florida Policy Positions

Address and plan for climate change in the State of Florida

• Develop a Climate Action Plan for the State of Florida.
• Embrace Natural Climate Solutions as a tool to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
• Support the promotion and integration of climate change adaptation projects and natural solutions/infrastructure in disaster mitigation and recovery planning and projects.

Support healthy freshwater

• Continue to fund state and local government efforts to address sources of pollution including stormwater runoff and septic tanks; including septic to sewer conversions.
• Continue to fund and support Alternative Water Supply development to diversify water supply sources statewide.

Allocate funding to protect and restore Florida’s natural systems

• Consistent long-term appropriations to address land acquisitions and conservation easements.
• Florida springs, rivers, lakes and coastal habitat restoration efforts and Everglades Restoration.
• Support Florida’s Estuary Programs.

Policy

• Senate Bill 64 - Reclaimed Water
  
• Senate Bill 100 - Highway Projects
• Senate Bill 1954 - Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience (Resilient Florida Program)
  

A Message from the TNC Florida Executive Director

2021 Florida Legislative Platform

The Nature Conservancy government relations team continues to build support and find innovative ways to reach lawmakers who can help us protect land and water, tackle climate change, provide food and water sustainably, build healthy cities, and connect people and nature. We engage with city, county, state and federal representatives, making recommendations to influence policy and keep nature at the forefront of decision-making.  

Climate

Address and plan for climate change in the State of Florida

Advocates for the development a Climate Action Plan for the State of Florida that includes GHG emission reduction strategies:

• Legislative direction to FDEP to develop and execute a greenhouse gas inventory for the State of Florida.
• Legislative funding for the Florida Climate Institute compilation of a risk assessment of Florida’s climate vulnerability necessary to develop support for a state climate plan.
• Adoption of language recognizing Natural Climate Solutions as a tool to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change and in disaster mitigation and recovery planning and projects.
• Legislative direction to develop a funding strategy for local government Climate Compacts, and regional planning councils to plan for sustainability/resiliency projects to meet the demands of climate change as regional building block of the State Climate Action Plan.

Land

Funding for Land Management, Conservation Easements and Land Management

Future Florida land acquisitions should address strategic needs such as connecting wildlife corridors, enhancing water quality and water storage, or provide buffers to existing state-owned lands.

• Conservation easements, like those in the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, are invaluable to keeping agriculture vibrant in Florida and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our precious Florida land. 
  
• The Nature Conservancy extends its technical expertise to state agencies to execute existing real estate transactions.

During the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, The Nature Conservancy advocates for the following:

• Florida Forever at $50 million.
• Rural and Family Lands at $10 million.
• Land Management - Additional funding to FDEP and the Division of Forestry to grow land management funding.

The Nature Conservancy's priority is the Florida Panther Corridor – support for these identified projects:

• Fisheating Creek Ecosystem
  
• Caloosahatchee Ecoscape
• Twelvemile Slough
• Panther Glades
• Devil’s Garden - remaining parcels
• Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem/Hendrie Ranch

Freshwater

• Recommends a heightened standard of protection of our water bodies beyond Minimum Flows and Levels.
• Recommends the Peace Creek Watershed plan with funding including Alternative Water Supply funding.
• Support and grow Septic to Sewer conversions statewide.

Everglades

The Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy fully supports the 20-year history of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and encourages the Federal government to fund Congressionally authorized projects.  Keeping funding focused on projects that are already planned and authorized for construction is the most effective way to assure that Everglades restoration stays on track because the projects are sequenced based on science to achieve the quickest ecosystem benefits. TNC encourages the Legislature to incentivize regional projects in the Northern Everglades that improve water quality and/or help manage flows into Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.

• TNC Recommends updates to Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule based on sound science and complete stakeholder participation and include equality among all water users.
  
• Support legislation and funding, if filed, accelerating Northern Everglades and Lake Okeechobee projects, Aquifer Storage and Recovery.

Healthy Oceans

• Support the continued funding for Estuary Programs in Florida.
• Support the implementation of a public/private partnership of the Florida Oceans Alliance as outlined in the Alliance’s restoration plan.
• Recommends the adoption/implementation of the Oyster Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management Plan for the Greater Pensacola Bay System.
• Support for appropriations for ongoing coral reef restoration and further research and studies to improve health of coral reefs.