Land

LAND CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

Land conservation and management are essential for restoring and protecting wildlife habitat.  These are also important for assuring future generations have natural resources that are sources of inspiration, creativity, relaxation, and recreation.  To help conserve natural lands for the benefit of all, several land conservation programs were put into place.  These have included Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever.  Thus far almost two million acres of land in Florida have been preserved.   Audubon has purchased land for bird sanctuaries and nature centers as well as conducted educational campaigns about the importance of land conservation and management.

Annually, however, up to 200,000 acres of land are converted to residential and commercial uses thwarting the best efforts of public lands strategies.   Also thwarting these efforts are the reduced budgets to public land management agencies leaving fewer personnel to manage the increasing portfolios of land.  Public lands must be managed to control invasive exotic plants and animals, allow or mimic natural fire regimes, and prevent overuse and abuse.


AUDUBON OF FLORIDA 2009 PRIORITIES RELATED TO LAND:

  • Help implement the Rural and Family Lands Protection program under Florida Forever legislation
  • Secure at least $300 million appropriations for Florida Forever.
  • Support the buyout of US Sugar lands and a plan to convert those lands ( or lands traded to them) to water storage and treatment.
  • Encourage a retained focus on land protection in the Northern Everglades (Lake Okeechobee)
  • Initiate new local and regional public land acquisition initiatives.
  • Encourage Conservation through Land Use to place conservation easements on private lands as compensation for increased development density.
  • Fund management of public lands to restore natural habitats, control invasive species, make appropriate use of prescribed fire.

BROWARD COUNTY

In November 2000 voters in Broward County overwhelmingly approved the Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond Referendum.  Its purpose is to preserve natural lands for future generations and limit over development.  This was necessary because the pace of development was proceeding rapidly and natural lands were being lost.  Land Preservation efforts include (1) acquiring natural lands for conservation, (2) securing green spaces as buffers between environmentally sensitive lands and conservation lands, and (3) obtaining and restoring open spaces for public parks.

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division administers approximately 16 regional and 6 neighborhood parks, 3 nature centers, and 21 natural area sites.  Funding was approved to renovate and enhance the 50 year old park system and more than 75 projects were in design or under construction before the 2008-2009 economic downturn.  For updates go to http://www.broward.org.

South Florida Audubon Society Conservation Reports

Grant Campbell has a blog where he posts monthly updates to conservation activities within the state (Click here). 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Visit the nature centers, natural area sites, and parks.  Let staff know how much you appreciate these resources.

Support Audubon efforts to acquire land and preserve it through your donations.

Take your neighbors to these nature centers, National Wildlife Refuges, and Everglades National Park.

Let your congressional representatives know how you feel about land conservation and preservation.


NATURE CENTERS

For schedules of nature walks, Ecoaction Days, educational programs and special events offered by South Florida nature centers and visitor centers, visit their websites.

  

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