BE THE VOICE FOR NATIVE PLANTS
Your Voice Shapes Florida's Future
© Photo by Ethan Liu
Shaping Florida’s Future Through Policy & Legislation
Florida’s native plants and natural lands depend on strong public policy. The Florida Native Plant Society works to ensure that conservation has a voice in the legislative process. From protecting critical habitats to promoting responsible landscaping practices, we advocate for science-based policies that safeguard Florida’s unique ecosystems.
We keep our members and the public informed through Eco Action Alerts —timely updates on key bills, public hearings, and opportunities to make your voice heard. Together, we can influence decision-makers to prioritize biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience.
Want to learn more about how policy impacts conservation? Explore our educational resources on Florida environmental policy to understand the issues, the process, and how you can be an effective advocate for native plants.
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FNPS Eco Action Alert Criteria
To keep our advocacy effective, FNPS issues alerts only on issues where your voice can make the greatest impact. The Policy and Legislation Committee carefully reviews each matter to ensure that alerts focus on state legislation and statewide or regional environmental issues directly tied to Florida’s native plants and ecosystems.
Issues of Statewide Significance
FNPS may issue alerts for:
- Florida Forever & Land Acquisition: Any state legislative action affecting Florida Forever, Florida Communities Trust, or other state agencies funded through Florida Forever (DEP). This includes funding levels and the urgent need to restore program funding.
- Preservation and Conservation: State and local land acquisition efforts that protect natural areas.
- Natural Resource Protection: Statewide policy changes that strengthen protections within preserves, reserves, or state parks.
- Development with Statewide Impact: Regional or statewide development issues that alter Florida policy on land acquisition, natural resource systems, or state waters—when clearly related to the FNPS mission to preserve, conserve, and restore native plants and their communities.
- Native Plant Viability: Actions by the legislature, state agencies, or universities that affect native plant conservation. This includes invasive species management, water conservation, listed plant protection, and cataloging of native plant communities.
Issues Not Typically Addressed
FNPS generally does not issue alerts for:
- Local growth management or planning methods, unless they meet the “regional/statewide development” criteria above.
- Transportation issues, unless they are of regional significance and directly impact a preserve, state park, refuge, or ecologically sensitive system.
- Local ordinances or land development codes that do not rise to regional or statewide importance.
