Policy Update by Eugene Kelly, Policy and Legislation Chair
Valerie Anderson • August 18, 2023
The Budget
Good Bills
Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative
Flooding and Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Studies
Living Shorelines
Bad Bills
Conclusions
- the Hernando Chapter successfully coordinated with the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners and other conservation partners to amend their fertilizer ordinance to include a rainy season ban on applications of turf fertilizer containing nitrogen. It was approved in early June – less than a month before the legislature’s preemption went into effect on July 1;
- the Naples Chapter added their voice to others who objected to a proposal by the Army Corps of Engineers to build a massive system of flood control structures along their coastline. The ACOE is now reassessing their approach;
- the Pine Lily and Tarflower chapters have been embroiled since 2017 in a fight to prevent construction of a new toll road through the Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area, culminating thus far in passage of an amendment to the Orange County Charter to enhance protection of Split Oak, Split Oak remains intact, but is still under threat; and
- the Pawpaw Chapter worked with allies in Volusia County to extend the life of the Volusia Forever land conservation program during the 2020 election cycles.
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Saturday, July 26th 10am-12pm The Florida Native Plant Society holds a members meeting once a year. All FNPS members are invited to participate. We provide a year in review and announce grant awards, Palmetto Awards for members and vote on new officers. A link to register has been emailed to all members. Please contact us if you are a member in good standing and have not received a link (info@fnps.org & 321-271-6702) AgendaOPENING REMARKS Introduction by President Eugene KellyOLD BUSINESS Approve the 2024 Annual Member Meeting MinutesNEW BUSINESS Introduction of New FNPS Executive Director (Eugene Kelly)Remarks from the Executive Director (Melissa Fernandez de-Cespedes)Update on the Council of Chapters (Past-Chair: Melanie Simon)COMMITTEE REPORTSConservation Committee (Chair: John Benton)Science Committee and Research Grants (Chair: Paul Schmalzer)Finance Committee (Chair: Ann Redmond)Landscape Committee (Chair: Natalia Manrique)Policy & Legislation Committee (Chair: Eugene Kelly)Education Committee (Chair: Andrea Andersen, Presented by Susan Earley)Conference Committee (Chair: Athena Phillips)Announcement of FNPS Awards (Melissa Fernandez de-Cespedes)Silver Palmetto Awards (Eugene Kelly)VOTE FOR FNPS OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORSOverview of FNPS Board Nominees and membership vote (Chair: Chris Moran)Motion to adjourn (Eugene Kelly)2024 MinutesReview them here.
On Monday seventy-three businesses and organizations, including the Florida Native Plant Society, representing every corner of the state sent a letter urging Florida legislators to prioritize certain conservation land acquisition, water quality protection, and resiliency funding during the 2025 legislative session that began Tuesday.We have eight major asks:$500M to Florida ForeverSeparate funding for the Rural & Family Lands Program$30M to the Florida Communities TrustProper supplemental use of Indian Gaming Compact $$$Everglades Restoration$150M for springs restorationCease funding coastal armoring & instead fund Resilient FloridaRepair soon-to-fail wastewater infrastructureRead the full letter here.
A coalition of 70 conservation organizations, including both the Florida Native Plant Society and the Ixia Chapter of FNPS submitted this letter to the lead sponsors of Senate Bill 80 and House Bill 209. Known as the State Parks Preservation Act, the legislation is intended to prevent future attacks on our State Parks – attacks like the one last fall that sparked so much public outrage across Florida.We all appreciate Senator Harrell filing SB08 and Senator Bradley’s co-sponsorship, and Representative Snyder’s sponsorship of the companion bill in the House. The coalition has shared recommended language with the legislation’s sponsors that would more explicitly prohibit such uses as golf courses and hotels, and provide additional guidance to prevent other incompatible uses or developments that would commercialize or materially disturb the resources protected within our Parks.“We just don’t want to be back here again next year, the year after, fighting the same battle, we just suggest that there should be a much-clearer statement on prohibitions of incompatible uses.” -FNPS President Eugene Kelly in the Orlando Sentinel, 2025-02-11, speaking to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
