Protect Florida Conservation Lands

In May 2025, the Surfrider Foundation First Coast Chapter was shocked to see 600 acres of the Guana River Wildlife Management Area proposed for exchange into private ownership. The notification of the proposed land swap came less than a week before the Acquisition and Restoration Council planned to consider and provide an official recommendation. Further, little information was available regarding the assessment of the proposed land up for exchange, including conservation purpose and ecological trade-offs, and the plans for the 600 acres of Guana that would be under private ownership.

With little time and sparse information about the swap or future plans for the parcels, Surfrider joined many partner organizations and Floridians across the state speaking out in opposition to the rushed and vague proposal. While the applicant ultimately withdrew the proposal, the proposed land swap and process revealed serious gaps in state law.

SB546/HB441 Conservation Lands, sponsored by Senators Debbie Mayfield and Gayle Harrell and Representatives Kim Kendall and Allison Tant, seeks to address these gaps by requiring specific information for conservation land transactions to be made public at least 30 days before consideration. The legislation will require appraisals of the parcels and clear statements about conservation purpose are available for public review well before exchanges or sales are considered. These practical improvements to state law will facilitate informed decision-making and the opportunity for public engagement.

Conservation land provides vital and tangible contributions to Florida’s coastal resilience, water quality, habitat and species protection, and recreational opportunities. These lands serve as natural buffers and water filtration amidst rising sea levels and flooding.

Many Floridians and visitors seek out and enjoy our state’s public conservation lands because they are undeveloped and provide incredible opportunities to be in and experience wild landscapes that are increasingly rare in a state of significant growth. It is crucial that our state law governing conservation lands reflects the immense public interest in safeguarding the resilience benefits, ecological value, and invaluable experiences these lands provide.

Surfrider will engage with state legislators, advocate for improved transparency and accountability in conservation land processes on Florida Healthy Beaches Day, and support the bill in committees. Follow Surfrider Florida's legislative page for more information on how these bills are progressing through the 2026 Session.

Legislative Update

SB546 Conservation Lands unanimously passed its final Senate committee and is ready for a vote on the Senate floor.

HB441 Conservation Lands passed unanimously on the House floor on February 17!

Bad News for Conservation Lands in the Proposed 2026-27 Budget:

The House budgets proposes ZERO dollars for Florida Forever, the state program for purchasing conservation lands. The Senate budget proposed just $35 million for Florida Forever and restricts what kinds of land purchases can be made. These lands provide vital recreational, economic, resilience, and environmental benefits statewide.

These proposals are well below the Legislature's 2024 commitment to funding Florida Forever at $100 million annually, Governor DeSantis' recommended $115 million for this year, and historic funding levels of $300 million.

Furthermore, neither proposal reflects the immense value and importance Floridians place on our public conservation lands. The following weeks are critical for securing funding for conservation lands in Florida!

Take Action: Encourage state legislators to fully fund Florida Forever today!