08/28/2024
**Disclaimer:** The views and opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not reflect or represent the views, positions, or policies of any organizations, companies, or affiliations with which I am associated.
In response to the “2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative” and proposed changes to 9 state parks:
**Petition Against the Proposed Changes of Florida State Parks**
I have personally read the proposal, and I strongly oppose the proposed changes with the stated intent of “expanding public access, recreation, and lodging” in Florida's state parks as part of the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative. While the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) claims that these actions will "reinforce the state’s dedication to conservation and a high quality of life for Floridians," this initiative does the exact opposite.
The introduction of new outdoor activities, such as additional golf courses and lodging options, does not "improve the land" but rather risks irreparable harm to our state's precious natural habitats. The claims of "minimizing habitat impacts" are misleading and fail to address the inevitable negative consequences of increased development within our protected areas. We already face significant challenges with water pollution, habitat destruction, and declining wildlife populations—challenges exacerbated by unchecked corporate and commercial interests that prioritize profit over environmental stewardship.
Florida’s state parks are a sanctuary for wildlife and a vital component of our natural heritage. Further development within these protected lands threatens to undermine their ecological integrity. There is plenty of land outside these protected areas that can be developed or “improved” without compromising our natural environment.
The initiative's rhetoric around "improving access" for the public is a thinly veiled attempt to justify the exploitation of our remaining wild spaces. Our state parks should not be commercialized for the sake of increased revenue. Instead, our focus should be on genuine conservation efforts that protect and preserve these lands for future generations. This includes improving water quality, preserving wildlife habitats, and ensuring that Floridians have access to clean, unpolluted natural environments—not more pickleball courts and glamping sites.
If the DEP and the state government truly cared about the quality of life for Floridians, they would prioritize clean water, affordable housing, and other critical issues over unnecessary and harmful park developments. I call on our representatives to reject this initiative and to commit to increasing the protection of our wildlife and environment, not diminishing it.
This is not to say that improvements couldn’t be made to existing developments or the natural habitats within the park—such as ensuring that native species can thrive, increasing efforts to combat pollution and trash left by visitors, and enhancing education and visibility of environmental protection programs. However, the focus should not be on creating more recreational opportunities for humans.
The proposed initiative, as it stands, is not in the best interest of Floridians.
Enough is enough. We must stand together to protect Florida’s natural heritage from short-sighted and harmful development. Actions today will determine whether we leave behind a world that can sustain future generations or one that faces irreversible environmental catastrophe. We need to demand that our state parks remain true to their purpose as protected areas, hold our representatives and corporations accountable, and keep protected areas free from further commercialization and exploitation.
Proposal: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/3afd277
Opinion form: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7983173/Great-Outdoors-Initiative?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabUxFQI1AFvpfE-IFPUEKHEJo_hbMZSgkokkt54mF0gtPRJEFWkf02JlVI_aem_PiKFmAKDiiMm_uG-Kgn1Rw
