The mission of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is to save land, forever. Saving land, most of which has a direct or indirect effect on our waterways, helps protect our fishery resources as well. The Foundation played an integral part in obtaining an additional 150 acres in Robinson Preserve, one of the environmental gems of Manatee County. “The Foundation works with landowners, businesses, and government to protect the character, natural integrity and biodiversity of the bays, beaches, barrier islands and their watersheds on Florida’s Gulf Coast. A nationally accredited land trust, the Foundation purchases natural areas, holds land preservation agreements and educates for responsible land and water stewardship in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee Counties. “

The Foundation traces its beginnings to 2003 when a group of concerned citizens worked together to create a land trust. Their passion, led by founder Albert Joerger, led to a thriving, membership organization with a community of committed volunteers, a dedicated board of trustees, and professional staff. With the help of their partners they have protected almost 8,600 acres on 32 properties in Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties; a listing of these properties can be found on Conservation Foundation’s Website.

Realizing that the community wants to ensure that the paradise we enjoy will be here for future generations, Conservation Foundation has expressed the urgency that we are the last generation that can save this irreplaceable land. That is why they worked tirelessly to get Amendment 1, The Water and Land Legacy amendment, on the ballot and passed last November. Voters demonstrated their support by overwhelmingly passing the amendment by a state-wide average of 75%. The amendment was intended to provide critical funding for land conservation.

Currently, Conservation Foundation is working to save four properties in the Myakka River basin. Triangle Ranch, Sheps Island, Orange Hammock Ranch and Murphy’s Marsh properties represent over 8,000 acres! The protection of these lands would enhance and protect the already over 106,000 acres of conserved land known as the ‘Myakka River Island’, which includes Myakka River State Park, Carlton Preserve and others. They would also protect our water supply, provide habitat for endangered species, control flooding and could provide highly desired recreational activities to the public. The properties are on the Florida Forever priority list and are ranked very high for funding: Amendment 1 funding.

The challenge now is to get the state to use the funds generated in the way the voters intended, to save land. The Governor and legislators constructed a budget that was not in line with the intent of the amendment. Amendment 1 funds dedicated over 700 million, of which environmentalists expected at least $300 million to buy conservation and preservation lands.

On June 19, the Florida Legislature passed its budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, slashing the state’s entire environmental budget by nearly $50 million from last year. They allocated only $17 million to Florida Forever for land acquisition, $45 million for springs protection and restoration and $75 million for Everglades restoration while allocating over $300 million to already existing operational expenses like salaries.

Despite 4.2 million Floridians voting in favor of increased funding for land and water conservation, these allocations are far below what the voters of Florida intended when they voted “yes” on Amendment 1 last November.

The Foundation encourages those that understand the challenge to contact their representatives and have their voice heard. For more information, go to www.conservationfoundation.com/land-protection/call-action. To support their efforts go to www.conservationfoundation.com or call 941-918-2100.