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Staff ReportsMay 30, 2017

The Florida Wildlife Federation wants the Legislature to meet in special session to pump money into the state’s environmental land-buying program. The organization issued a written statement Tuesday to Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and Senate President Joe Negron, arguing the Legislature is under a “clear obligation” to finance Amendment 1, the Florida […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2017

A lawsuit over the state’s environmental funding under a new constitutional amendment is expected to resume now that the annual Session is in lawmakers’ rear-view mirror. An array of environmental advocacy groups had filed suit over the Water and Land Legacy Amendment, also known as Amendment 1. The constitutional change, approved by voters in 2014, mandates state […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2016

A pivotal hearing in a lawsuit over the state’s environmental funding is coming up in December. Lawyers for the Legislature and environmental advocacy groups are set to argue over a summary judgment motion Dec. 5 before Circuit Judge Charles W. Dodson in Tallahassee. Granting such motions allows parties to win a case without a trial. Florida Wildlife […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2016

Early estimates placed Florida’s total economic damage from Hurricane Matthew in the range of $25-$70 billion. With the weakening of the storm and a track that moved the storm eastward, the estimated damage from the storm dropped significantly, but that should not keep us from acknowledging the real threat Matthew was to Florida. Real estate […]

Jim RosicaJune 1, 2016

Advocacy groups suing the Legislature over environmental funding now are asking a judge to hand them the win. Florida Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and others filed a 57-page motion for summary judgment Wednesday. Granting such motions allows parties to win a case without a trial. They filed suit last year over Amendment 1, the constitutional amendment approved […]

William MarchFebruary 15, 2016

Environmental groups contend that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is again snubbing voters who want the state to purchase conservation land. They contend the budget proposals the Legislature is now developing violate Amendment 1, passed overwhelmingly in 2014, directing that a third of the revenue from documentary stamp taxes on real estate transactions go to buy […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 14, 2016

Since 1940, a national nonprofit group called American Forests has been scouring the U.S., looking for the biggest trees in the land. When they find a big tree, they make measurements, compare with other known specimens, and finally record the biggest as Champion Trees. And guess what? Florida has more national champion trees than any […]

Associated PressNovember 8, 2015

State officials are spending more than $5 million on a fencing project designed to keep panthers and other large animals off Alligator Alley. The Florida Department of Transportation will start construction later this year on a project that includes 18 miles of 10-foot fencing and work on three animal underpasses east of the Naples-area toll […]

Diane RobertsOctober 29, 2015

LBJ declared the War on Poverty; the GOP waged a War on Women; the state of Florida has never ceased its War on Nature. The latest front: Bears! How often have you come home from a hard day of flipping carcino-burgers at the local McWendyking’s, slaving away at the phosphate plant or working at the […]

Diane RobertsOctober 28, 2015

LBJ declared the War on Poverty; the GOP waged a War on Women; the state of Florida has never ceased its War on Nature. The latest front: Bears! How often have you come home from a hard day of flipping carcino-burgers at the local McWendyking’s, slaving away at the phosphate plant or working at the […]

Tag: Florida Wildlife Federation

Wildlife Federation seeks special session to finance conservation land purchases

Amendment 1 lawsuit may rev up after Session

December hearing set for environmental Amendment 1 lawsuit

Manley Fuller: Hurricane Matthew delivers another reminder of life on Florida’s coastline

Plaintiffs seek summary judgment in Amendment 1 suit

Groups upset with legislators over land conservation

Manley Fuller: Commercial logging in state parks is a bad idea

$5M fence project to protect panthers on Alligator Alley

Diane Roberts: Watch out, you bears, and hold your water

Diane Roberts: Watch out, you bears, and hold your water