Greg Knecht

Statement Regarding Florida State Park Incompatible Amenities Amendments

August 21, 2024

For more than 60 years, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has worked with the State of Florida to protect, preserve and restore Florida’s world-renowned natural resources, including Florida’s award-winning state parks. 

Florida is considering non-compatible recreation features in nine Florida State Parks, including 350-room lodges, pickleball courts and golf courses. While it’s true that these are attractive amenities for residents and visitors, they have no place in Florida State Parks. 

As long-time investors in Florida’s state parks, we oppose the plan amendments and the shortened management plan process. TNC in Florida supports accessible and meaningful public input processes that assist our dedicated state park planners in managing our resources. 

Per Department of Environmental Protection’s online calendar, the one-hour public meetings for each impacted park will be held on Aug. 27—one week from initial public posting—and will all occur at one time at 3 p.m. Short-noticed public meetings and a limited public process ignores the intent of Florida voters who vote to conserve and protect Florida and is an insult to a far-reaching, engaged community of state park visitors. This fast-paced scheduling forgoes the typical and effective public meeting process, impacting who can attend and how. By planning all of the meetings to occur concurrently, residents are not able to attend multiple meetings and meaningfully share their input. Further, the meetings do not currently include a virtual attendance option, limiting accessibility for concerned visitors’ work and family schedules. Clarity is due to Floridians, whose tax dollars have continuously invested in Florida State Parks. 

Our state parks are an investment in our future. More than 28 million people visit Florida’s state parks each year creating $3.8 billion in economic impact. That’s why we must continue to protect them for their primary purpose: to conserve ecologically essential lands. Florida State Parks provide habitat for many iconic and imperiled wildlife species including the Florida panther, Florida scrub jay and red-cockaded woodpecker. State park visitors from around the world want to experience "the Real Florida," enjoying our natural lands and abundant wildlife. On the contrary, displacing our unique and disappearing habitats is harmful and negligent management. 

Florida’s park system is the only park system in the nation to win four gold medals. It is our forward-looking approach to land management and abundant low-impact recreational opportunities that have afforded us this prestige. Let’s not destroy our legacy with incompatible recreational uses and disingenuous public processes. 

TNC in Florida has actively helped the state acquire the lands for our state parks, including those potentially slated for high-intensity amenities. TNC was a partner in the acquisition of Camp Helen and Topsail Hill Preserve state parks in the Panhandle. In South Florida, we worked tirelessly to protect Jonathan Dickinson State Park’s rare scrub habitat, the same site that could be lost if a proposed golf course is built on the property. As a long-term partner in protecting lands for the future of Florida, we know the proposed incompatible recreational uses are inconsistent with the goals of Florida State Parks and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Building high-intensity amenities in state parks is not a smart investment and destroys the progress and prestige our state parks have rightfully earned.

Greg Knecht

Executive Director

Statement Regarding Conservation Land Acquisitions 

June 12, 2024

The Nature Conservancy in Florida celebrates the closing of the Devil’s Garden Florida Forever project, a longtime priority for protection and a critical component in the survival of the Florida panther. With the closing of the this additional 17,000-acre purchase, the conservation of the Devil’s Garden Florida Forever Project is over 60% complete.

The State of Florida continues to demonstrate their commitment to the protection of the state’s incredible biodiversity including its endangered species. We salute the staff of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their focus and dedication to completing this project as they permanently conserve Florida’s land and water.

Greg Knecht

Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director Regarding House Bill CS/CS/HB 1645

May 2, 2024

The Nature Conservancy in Florida prioritizes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the deployment of renewable energy and nature-based climate solutions. We know that reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the electric power sector, manufacturing, transport and other parts of our economy can drive opportunity and prosperity for Floridians. To fully take advantage of the benefits of decarbonization, we believe that Florida energy policy must empower the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and support conservation measures to mitigate Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions.

House Bill 1645 removes language and programs that encourage the deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while also banning offshore wind energy in Florida. Striking climate change language from the current law not only harms Florida’s future, but our present economy, too. This bill is a disservice to the renewable energy sector, local communities and all Floridians.

In addition, we are concerned that the bill contains several preemptions or restrictions on the ability of local governments and their residents to participate in energy-siting decisions. These provisions include Section 1 of the bill that further restricts local government siting authority of energy resilience facilities, and Section 18 that raises the threshold of the length of pipelines exempt from the Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Siting Act from fewer than 15 to fewer than 100 miles.

We believe that energy-siting decisions, including siting for renewable energy, should provide the opportunity for community input and that the measures outlined in House Bill CS/CS/HB 1645 silence local communities in important decision-making.

The Nature Conservancy recommended a veto of the bill.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director Regarding Senate Bill 1638 and House Bill 1471

April 4, 2024

The Nature Conservancy in Florida celebrates the signing of SB 1638 and thanks Governor DeSantis, Senator Hutson and Representative Buchanan for their work to direct funding for Florida’s Environmental Resource Management.

Florida has taken unprecedented steps to conserve our precious state by funding the Florida Forever Program. Senator Hutson and Representative Buchanan continue this legacy with their commitments to land acquisition and, importantly, land management.

Florida owns and manages more than five million acres, and with focused funding, the state can best steward that land for generations to come. TNC owns or manages more than 70,000 acres in Florida, and we know how much it costs to take care of conservation land. Land management funding will help state agencies further their current efforts. With this historic $100 million investment, partners can continue their nationally recognized work, such as prescribed fires, invasive species management and improving visitor experiences, to best protect Florida’s precious resources.

Dedicating $100 million for land acquisition in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, $100 million for land management and $100 million for the Resilient Florida Program make long-term planning possible. This unprecedented funding would afford our expert state staff the security they need to strategize future acquisitions, take care of our rare and sensitive conservation lands and continue the battle against climate change impacts.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director Regarding the 2024 Florida Legislative Session

The Florida Legislature made conservation and support for the environment a priority, through the allocation of significant funding to programs that are critical to a sustainable future for our state and the lands and waters that we all depend on for our health and quality of life. 

Protection and restoration of Florida’s vital land and water resources will be accelerated by allocating funds from the Seminole Gaming Compact of 2021 to acquire and manage conservation lands and to make significant investments in resiliency efforts and clean water infrastructure.

We thank the President of the Senate, Kathleen Passidomo, and Speaker of the House, Paul Renner, for their commitment to funding the programs critical to continued land acquisition and management in Florida and increasing protection of the Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area. These actions further improve the resilience of Florida’s natural resources important to people and nature.

Interested in the outcome of the 2024 legislative session? Find out how The Nature Conservancy in Florida championed nature and our environment in the 2024 Legislative Results Report.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director on the Economic Benefits of Decarbonization in Florida

February 26, 2024

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, and it directly affects the quality of life of Floridians. Addressing climate change with solutions that reduce carbon emissions presents an opportunity for economic investment and prosperity.

With the support of our generous funders, donors, members, staff experts and partners, The Nature Conservancy in Florida with the expertise of AECOM Technical Services and Cambridge Econometrics has published a first-of-its kind economic breakdown of clean energy adoption in Florida: Economic Benefits of Decarbonization in Florida. TNC is guided by data and science. This report uses state-of-the-art economics and modeling to envision how continued investment in renewable energy, transportation electrification and clean technology can reduce carbon emissions and deliver economic prosperity, including higher-paying jobs for workers of all education and skill levels, lower consumer costs and multiplier effects for our economy for generations to come.

Economic Benefits of Decarbonization in Florida highlights our potential, but only if we make the right investments now. The report findings are clear: Florida is already making progress in clean energy, and Floridians are eager for the economic opportunities that decarbonization offers. Decarbonizing Florida’s economy will ultimately position the Sunshine State to continue to grow as a hub for innovation and technological advancement, increasing Floridians’ quality of life and economic prospects.

TNC in Florida thanks our Technical Advisory Committee; our funders including Jane’s Trust Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, VoLo Foundation and Wells Fargo Foundation; and the countless community leaders and subject matter experts who informed this report. 

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director Regarding Senate Bill 1638 and House Bill 1471

February 15, 2024

The Nature Conservancy in Florida celebrates Senator Hutson and Representative Buchanan for their work to direct funding for Florida’s Environmental Resource Management with their bills, SB 1638, HB 1471.

Florida has taken unprecedented steps to conserve our precious state by funding the Florida Forever Program. Senator Hutson and Representative Buchanan continue this legacy with their commitments to land acquisition and management.

Florida owns and manages more than ten million acres, and with focused funding, the state can best steward that land for generations to come. TNC owns or manages over 70,000 acres in Florida, and we know exactly how much it costs to take care of conservation land.

Dedicating $100 million for land acquisition in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, $100 million for land management, and $100 million for the Resilient Florida Program makes long-term planning possible. This unprecedented funding would afford our expert state staff with security as they strategize future acquisitions, take care of our rare and sensitive conservation lands, and continue the battle against climate change.

Additionally, the exciting new opportunity for agreements with land owners for environmental services agreements for the protection of habitat and forests is an excellent advance in protecting our precious Florida. We look forward to working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in this effort.

We thank Senator Hutson and Representative Buchanan for their leadership on this important issue. We look forward to celebrating the passage of this legislation and the Governor’s signature.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director Regarding Home Rule

January 29, 2024

The Nature Conservancy in Florida owns or manages more than 70,000 acres in Florida. When it comes to taking care of our land, we make our decisions using the best information with our local expertise. When considering matters related to managing the growth and development of their communities, local governments are best suited to make the decisions that impact their residents. 

The same concept applies when local governments need to meet the needs of their residents related to the expansion of renewable energy and mitigating impacts of climate change. Electric vehicle charging stations, siting of solar, and local climate mitigation and adaptation planning guidelines impact communities. Local decision makers should be the leading voices in determining their future, all while remaining compliant with state and federal permitting and guidance.

We encourage the Florida Legislature to give freedom to our local governments to craft their rules and ordinances to meet the needs of their residents while protecting our valued environment, which is critical to the continued prosperity of our great state.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director regarding the 2024 Governor’s Budget

December 8, 2023

The Nature Conservancy in Florida has protected more than a million acres of conservation land throughout the state. In addition, The Nature Conservancy in Florida owns and manages more than 50,000 acres of land, including The Disney Wilderness Preserve in Osceola County and Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve in Liberty County, offering the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoying all that nature provides.

As landowner and steward of precious Florida resources, we congratulate Governor DeSantis for yet another year of support of conservation and the environment through his budget priorities for this coming fiscal year. The recommendation of significant funding to conservation programs is critical to achieving a sustainable future for our state, our health and well-being.

With increased funding for water quality, fisheries research and resiliency, the state’s lands, waters and communities can continue to adapt to a changing climate.

Additionally, the governor’s continued focus on the Indian River Lagoon, Florida’s springs and water quality improvements in the Caloosahatchee River watershed will provide benefits for generations to come. We are looking forward to another great Florida legislative session in 2024.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement regarding Conservation Land Acquisitions Before the Florida Cabinet

September 18, 2023

The protection of The Devil’s Garden Florida Forever project has long been a priority of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Today, we congratulate the Governor, Cabinet, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Alico Inc. for adding 17,229 acres to this project, and applaud the State of Florida’s commitment to protecting this critical linkage for the survival of our iconic Florida panther.

TNC further celebrates the addition of 4,808 acres in western Leon County to the Red Hills Conservation Florida Forever project. This acquisition ensures wetlands protection and groundwater recharge, while providing important wildlife corridor improvements and sustainable forestry opportunities, significantly expanding upon the successes achieved with the protection of the unique and historic Red Hills landscape.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s (FDACS) Rural and Family Lands program continues to protect Florida agriculture with a 4,490-acre easement on Buck Island Ranch in the vital Fisheating Creek watershed. This easement will provide perpetual protection of grazing lands and ensure that this working landscape remains productive for years to come.

We salute the staff of FDEP and FDACS for their focus and dedication in bringing these projects forward, and we thank the Florida Cabinet for their support and commitment to protecting the resources so critical to Florida’s water and wildlife.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement regarding CS/HB 1379 – Environmental Protection

May 31, 2023

Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing of HB 1379 marks a new day in prioritizing environmental preservation. This legislation provides $100 million in recurring funding to the Florida Forever program, reaffirming the state’s commitment to protecting and expanding critical green spaces. Additionally, this legislation will also expedite crucial land deals to bolster our state’s biodiversity and improve water quality, safeguarding both human health and the delicate ecosystems that rely on clean water.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement regarding Conservation Land Acquisitions Before the Florida Cabinet

May 23, 2023

The 10,464-acre, Ingram’s Crossing property contains critical habitat that is important for the federally endangered Florida panther to expand their territory and roam safely. This easement will also preserve biodiversity and support farming and ranching—integral components of our state’s economy and culture.

Additionally, the 6,929-acre Avalon Plantation, LLC conservation easement will significantly expand crucial habitat for the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and many other imperiled wildlife.

We thank the staff of FDEP for all their work and thank the Florida Cabinet for their support and their commitment to protecting the resources so critical to our collective success.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director regarding 2023 Florida Legislative Session

May 9, 2023

The Florida Legislature has made their focus on conservation and support for the environment a priority, through the allocation of significant funding to programs that are critical to a sustainable future for our state, our health and our well-being.

Collaboration with private landowners and the State of Florida for the purchase of property and conservation easements is a cornerstone of TNC's strategy to protect critical habitats that provide what Florida panthers need to thrive. With the Florida Agriculture and Natural Resources budget, we are thrilled to see the leadership of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives in the prioritization of land conservation in Hendry and Collier counties.

Additionally, designating appropriations of more than $1 billion—the largest in Florida’s history—means conservation efforts will greatly expand the successful Florida Forever program and the Florida Wildlife Corridor and will support the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor in Collier and Hendry counties to protect the habitat of the Florida panther, as well as enhance protections in North Central Florida in the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor.

Protection of Florida’s vital land and water resources will be accelerated by the allocation of $100 million in recurring funds for the Florida Forever Program and an additional $100 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to purchase conservation easements.

CS/SB 106 extends the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network to the Florida Wildlife Corridor linking existing trail systems, provides $200 million in funding that prioritizes the development of regionally significant trails and enhances the planning, coordination and marketing of the state’s bicycle and pedestrian trail system and the Wildlife Corridor.

CS/CS/HB 137 changes land acquisition procedures to increase the threshold of acquisitions that do not require Cabinet approval from $1 million to $5 million, modifies appraisal procedures and provides recurring funding of $100 million a year for the Florida Forever Program. Lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor are added as a priority for acquisition within the Florida Forever Program.

A priority of TNC is to take action on the root causes and impacts of climate change critical to protecting the quality of life of all Floridians and the health of our lands and waters. CS/CS/SB 284 encourages the state acquisition of electric vehicles (EVs) by requiring consideration of the lifecycle costs of vehicles and requiring a study on the acquisition of EVs for state fleets. Tools to address sea-level rise are expanded by CS/HB 111 that authorizes the use of Resilient Florida funding for designing and permitting nature-based solutions and expanding the scope of Sea Level Impact Projection Studies (SLIP) required for publicly financed infrastructure projects to include all areas subject to sea-level rise.

We thank the President of the Senate, Kathleen Passidomo, and Speaker of the House, Paul Renner, for their commitment to protecting the resources so critical to our collective success.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement from the Executive Director regarding 2023 Florida Legislative Session

May 9, 2023

The Florida Legislature has made their focus on conservation and support for the environment a priority, through the allocation of significant funding to programs that are critical to a sustainable future for our state, our health and our well-being.

Collaboration with private landowners and the State of Florida for the purchase of property and conservation easements is a cornerstone of TNC's strategy to protect critical habitats that provide what Florida panthers need to thrive. With the Florida Agriculture and Natural Resources budget, we are thrilled to see the leadership of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives in the prioritization of land conservation in Hendry and Collier counties.

Additionally, designating appropriations of more than $1 billion—the largest in Florida’s history—means conservation efforts will greatly expand the successful Florida Forever program and the Florida Wildlife Corridor and will support the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor in Collier and Hendry counties to protect the habitat of the Florida panther, as well as enhance protections in North Central Florida in the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor.

Protection of Florida’s vital land and water resources will be accelerated by the allocation of $100 million in recurring funds for the Florida Forever Program and an additional $100 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to purchase conservation easements.

CS/SB 106 extends the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network to the Florida Wildlife Corridor linking existing trail systems, provides $200 million in funding that prioritizes the development of regionally significant trails and enhances the planning, coordination and marketing of the state’s bicycle and pedestrian trail system and the Wildlife Corridor.

CS/CS/HB 137 changes land acquisition procedures to increase the threshold of acquisitions that do not require Cabinet approval from $1 million to $5 million, modifies appraisal procedures and provides recurring funding of $100 million a year for the Florida Forever Program. Lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor are added as a priority for acquisition within the Florida Forever Program.

A priority of TNC is to take action on the root causes and impacts of climate change critical to protecting the quality of life of all Floridians and the health of our lands and waters. CS/CS/SB 284 encourages the state acquisition of electric vehicles (EVs) by requiring consideration of the lifecycle costs of vehicles and requiring a study on the acquisition of EVs for state fleets. Tools to address sea-level rise are expanded by CS/HB 111 that authorizes the use of Resilient Florida funding for designing and permitting nature-based solutions and expanding the scope of Sea Level Impact Projection Studies (SLIP) required for publicly financed infrastructure projects to include all areas subject to sea-level rise.

We thank the President of the Senate, Kathleen Passidomo, and Speaker of the House, Paul Renner, for their commitment to protecting the resources so critical to our collective success.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement regarding Appropriations for Land Conservation Benefitting the Florida Panther in the 2024 Budget for the State of Florida

May 2, 2023

Collaboration with private landowners and the State of Florida for the purchase of property and conservation easements is a cornerstone of TNC’s strategy to protect critical habitats that provide what Florida panthers need to thrive. With the Florida Agriculture and Natural Resources budget, we are thrilled to see the leadership of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives in the prioritization of land conservation in Hendry and Collier counties.

Additionally, seeing appropriations of more than $1 billion—the largest in Florida’s history—means conservation efforts will greatly expand the successful Florida Forever program and the Florida Wildlife Corridor with the Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Corridor in Collier and Hendry to protect the habitat of the Florida panther, as well as in North Central Florida in the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor.

We thank Senate President Passidomo and Speaker of the House Renner for their commitment to conserving the habitat of the Florida panther and expanding the funding to protect the Florida we all love.

Greg Knecht
Executive Director

Statement regarding Conservation Acquisitions at the January Cabinet Meeting

January 17, 2023

The Nature Conservancy celebrates a productive and impactful start to 2023 with the significant land acquisitions approved today by the Florida Cabinet to help preserve the beautiful Sunshine State. Thanks to the Cabinet’s support of Florida Forever, the protection of these lands will conserve essential landscape-scale habitat, provide wildlife corridors for rare and imperiled species, and increase linkages and corridors between public land and private conservation easements in the region.

We thank Governor DeSantis, Commissioner Simpson, Attorney General Moody, Chief Financial Officer Patronis and Secretary Hamilton for today’s critical Florida Forever acquisitions.

Greg Knecht
Interim Executive Director

Statement regarding Executive Order from Governor DeSantis

January 11, 2023

The Nature Conservancy celebrates the Executive Order of Governor DeSantis that achieves more advances for Florida’s environment. With continued support and funding of the Resilient Florida, Florida Forever, Florida Wildlife Corridor and coral reef restoration programs, Floridians will see the results of these smart investments that help preserve our beautiful state. This extended commitment also provides greater opportunities for stronger partnerships with landowners, government agencies such as the FDEP and DEO, and many more to expand conservation efforts that protect people and nature from climate hazards.

Greg Knecht
Interim Executive Director