The language of good policy is made of science, sound facts, and common sense.

Where do we go from here?

What is Your Vision for Florida's Future?

Florida 2070/Water 2070

With close to 21.5 million residents, Florida already is overwhelmed with the ramifications of rampant sprawl, rapidly vanishing natural areas, and overcrowded roads. What will Florida look like in 2070, when its population is projected to reach nearly 34 million?

If we continue developing land the way we do now, more than a third of the state will be paved over by 2070. Millions of acres of natural and agricultural lands - essential to maintaining our water supply, quality of life, jobs, and more - will be lost.

What can we do? A great start is to read the report, What is Your Vision for Florida's Future? Florida 2070/Water 2070, available on-line.

 

The Work is Mapped Out

The citizens of Florida have a unique chance to create a model wildlife corridor from the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Citrus County to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Pasco County. At the Gulf Coast Conservancy, we called this the Nature Coast Greenway and Wildlife Corridor.

As shown on the map, portions of the corridor have already been preserved. Placing the remaining parcels under protective management will provide a greenway with plenty of room for the natural Florida to flourish. The Nature Coast will offer residents and visitors a spectacularly beautiful
natural environment where humans and wildlife can live in harmony.

Acquisition and preservation of the properties which comprise the Nature Coast Greenway and Wildlife Corridor are underway, but there is still much work to be done. Many of the parcels needed to complete the project are still at risk. Acquisition of these sensitive natural areas is our number one priority.

 Click for a larger view of the area of interest. For a closer, interactive view, you can download the KMZ file. On your desktop, just double click on it. That should open Google Earth.  If you don’t have Google Earth, download it first. For Android phones, and Iphones and Ipads, please click on the KMZ File Instructions button below.


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The land already acquired also needs our attention. The agencies charged with managing these precious assets are developing their management plans which will determine the mix of public use and environmental protection. Our continuous involvement will be instrumental in helping to assure that a reasonable balance is achieved.

 

Saving Florida's Springs

Despite the relatively good rainfalls of some years, human demand on our water resources – and impact on their health – continue to grow. Everyone has heard that “we need to conserve water.” But every gallon pumped out of the Floridan Aquifer to satisfy human needs reduces the flow our springs – the heartbeat of our natural ecosystem.

What do you need to  know about Florida's Springs? Here’s a reading list:

 

 

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