Save Split Oak Forest Campaign’s Post

Although Split Oak Forest spans Orange and Osceola counties, a good 45-minute drive for most Lake County residents, it is the proverbial “canary in the coal mine” when it comes to the future of conservation land in Florida. If Split Oak falls, no other designated conservation land in the state is safe from those seeking to line their own pockets at the expense of the public’s interest. Let me put it this way: How would you feel if I forced you from your home and moved your family to what is essentially a barren landfill with no infrastructure, no food and no clean water? And my only justification for this was, “But it’s more land than the land you had before!” That is what Osceola County is asking the threatened and endangered wildlife in Split Oak Forest to do in its effort to have a toll road cut through the nature preserve. Why does this matter for Florida residents in other counties? Up until now, if conservation land is still of “high ecological value,” then the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s job is to maintain its conservation status and protect its easements. If FWC releases its easements within Split Oak for the toll road, then there is now a legal precedent. Nothing will stop the same from happening anywhere else in Florida. Split Oak Forest was set aside 30 years ago by a contractual agreement between Orange and Osceola counties as mitigation land for the ongoing development around the forest. Since then, it has been managed with taxpayer dollars and is a natural wild preserve where visitors can enjoy walking nature trails. It also houses some of the rarest and most endangered habitats and wildlife species in central Florida. Split Oak Forest was intended to be kept as conservation land “in perpetuity,” as per the Florida State constitution, but Osceola County commissioners, Tavistock – a large development company – and the Central Florida Expressway Authority have decided it is prime real estate to drive a toll road through. They are seeking to extend the Osceola Parkway through the forest. (Continued in the comments) . Read here: https://lnkd.in/ge2cpp8u

Although Split Oak Forest spans Orange and Osceola counties, a good 45-minute drive for most Lake County residents, it is the proverbial “canary in the coal mine” when it comes to the future of conservation land in Florida. If Split Oak falls, no other designated conservation land in the state is safe from those seeking to line their own pockets at the expense of the public’s interest. Let me put it this way: How would you feel if I forced you from your home and moved your family to what is essentially a barren landfill with no infrastructure, no food and no clean water? And my only justification for this was, “But it’s more land than the land you had before!” That is what Osceola County is asking the threatened and endangered wildlife in Split Oak Forest to do in its effort to have a toll road cut through the nature preserve. Why does this matter for Florida residents in other counties? Up until now, if conservation land is still of “high ecological value,” then the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s job is to maintain its conservation status and protect its easements. If FWC releases its easements within Split Oak for the toll road, then there is now a legal precedent. Nothing will stop the same from happening anywhere else in Florida. Split Oak Forest was set aside 30 years ago by a contractual agreement between Orange and Osceola counties as mitigation land for the ongoing development around the forest. Since then, it has been managed with taxpayer dollars and is a natural wild preserve where visitors can enjoy walking nature trails. It also houses some of the rarest and most endangered habitats and wildlife species in central Florida. Split Oak Forest was intended to be kept as conservation land “in perpetuity,” as per the Florida State constitution, but Osceola County commissioners, Tavistock – a large development company – and the Central Florida Expressway Authority have decided it is prime real estate to drive a toll road through. They are seeking to extend the Osceola Parkway through the forest. (Continued in the comments) . Read here: https://lnkd.in/g9JT_xW2

Impact for Habitat The world changes, and conservation efforts must adapt to stay relevant. The largest threat to Amboseli’s wildlife was historically from poachers. Together with partners, we’ve tackled this. We haven’t lost a single elephant to poachers since March 2018, nor a rhino since September 2015. However, we’ve had to broaden our focus to tackle new challenges, the most urgent of which is the threat to natural habitats. The wild spaces of Amboseli have always been informally protected by the Maasai pastoralist way of life, and communal land tenure that put community needs ahead of the individual. This has changed dramatically, through a recent process of land subdivision that has broken large areas into tens of thousands of private land parcels. Amboseli was at risk of losing its open savannahs. To prevent this, Big Life has supported proper land-use planning, and is now working with communities to create structures and incentives to protect migratory corridors and grazing areas, for the benefit of wildlife and livestock-based livelihoods. In 2023, our impact for habitat was substantial, and included: - 14,150 acres of rangeland restoration area - 102,322 anti-erosion bunds installed - 89 suspects arrested for habitat destruction - 2,416 KG sandalwood confiscated - 2,448 land parcels leased for conservation, covering 87,455 acres Learn more in our 2023 Impact Report, now available. https://lnkd.in/gJ429NZX 📸: Joshua Clay

🌴 Florida's natural resources are not only worth protecting because it's the right thing to do, but did you know the huge economic impact on the state? 🐊 Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the Florida Wildlife Corridor program will receive $100 million through Senate Bill 1638, and the red tide program will continue after the signing of House Bill 1565. Taxpayers have already invested $125 million in the red tide mitigation program since 2019. 🌊 Outdoor recreation in Florida generates over $52 billion in economic output, and our state parks alone have an economic impact of $3.6 billion, supporting 50,000 jobs. 🦜 The Florida Wildlife Corridor funding began in 2021 to allow animals to move more freely and reduce the risk of them going onto interstates and highways. Almost 18 million acres of land are dedicated to the corridor, including 10 million acres of protected conservation land. 💰Over $1.4 billion has been invested in conservation land since 2019, with more than 90% of that land inside Florida's wildlife corridor. Additionally, $6 billion has been allocated to the Everglades Restoration Program and other water quality projects. 🎰 A new gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida will allow a portion of gaming and casino profits to go towards conservation efforts. 🚜 Agricultural producers maintain their land to support agriculture, provide wildlife ecosystems, and feed Florida and the world. Farmers have a vested interest in a healthy environment and implement best management practices on their farms, which helps keep our state's water and air clean. Farmers are the original environmentalists. Let's keep working together to protect Florida agriculture, our natural resources, and support our state's economy. #ProtectFlorida #FLNaturalResources #FLWC #Everglades #FLStateParks #EnvironmentalConservation #SupportFarmers #FoodSecurityIsNationalSecurity

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed new protections for the monarch butterfly. In the press release, Dave Tenny, President and CEO of NAFO, stated: “The members of the National Alliance of Forest Owners use sustainable forest management to provide forest products and jobs in a way that cleans our air and water and provides abundant wildlife habitat for the long term. Sustaining wildlife is as foundational to the modern culture of private forest owners as sustaining rural communities. We need both, and we view them as mutually dependent. This stewardship ethic is especially beneficial to monarch butterflies and other pollinators, because we intentionally provide the habitat they need as an essential part of our businesses. By managing our forests in this way, we do our part to help monarchs thrive while helping people take pride in knowing they are part of a conservation solution." Read the full USFWS press release here: https://lnkd.in/ez2GaJ3G

A few holiday gifts for all my friends and followers! 🎁 🎄 🐊 The past few weeks have been good news for birds in the Everglades (and you fine people who care about them!)! 🦩 Here’s a quick round-up in case you missed it: 1) Last night, Congress passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, delivering major wins for critical Everglades restoration projects! Congress has to approve projects before we can start moving dirt and last night was a big win! 🚧 🎁 Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dSrkvqtS 2) Earlier this week, the Governor and Florida Cabinet approved the purchase of land and conservation easements to protect 85,778 acres of Florida’s most important wildlife habitats and, rural ranchlands. 🤠 🐮 Included in this approval are six ranches, comprising 26,409 acres, in the footprint of the northern Everglades which will be protected by Rural and Family Lands conservation easements. 🎁 Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkytgHbR 3) Last week, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary released the long-awaited Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Restoration Blueprint. The Blueprint updates the Sanctuary’s management plan, marine zones, regulations, and more for the first time since 1997. 🦀 🐟 Audubon is thrilled to see a buffer zone around Channel Key Banks Wildlife Management Area. 🎁 Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/d-HN295V 4) Last week, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) announced seed funding to jumpstart conservation breeding for the critically endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow. 🐤 Saving this species from the brink of extinction will be a race against time-but there is a brighter outlook thanks to SFWMD's principled investment. 🎁 Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dJEGsrg6 5) Last week, The SFWMD voted to take over the construction of a critical feature of the Central Everglades Planning Project (S-355W gated spillway structure) at the request of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District. 💧 This decision expedites the project by several years and allows us to activate the Blue Shanty Flowway even sooner – restoring sheet flow and sending water south more quickly. 🎁 Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dUf7BUzi What a great way to end the year! 🎉 And so, here’s to a new year that’s brimming with adventure, conservation victories, and just the right amount of swamp magic. ✨ Happy Holidays! 🎅 🎄 Kelly P.S. To keep on top of this good news and more, be sure to sign up for our Audubon Advocate newsletter 👉 https://lnkd.in/deVWu2jV

Check out this article from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, featuring HVA's Conservation Director Tim Abbott, about the Highlands Conservation Act, its 20 years of successes, and beyond! https://lnkd.in/gzdZMqE4

Reflection on Florida’s Wildlife and Conservation Efforts It’s crucial to step back in time and appreciate the full scope of Florida’s natural landscape. From 1984 to 2022, the removal of wild Florida Panthers reminds us of the urgent need to preserve what remains. Florida has countless abandoned or underutilized areas, like parts of Lake Okeechobee, where conservation efforts could be redirected to help restore wildlife habitats. As we move forward with development, we must balance growth with preserving the ecosystems that make Florida unique. Conservation is key to ensuring that wildlife like the Florida Panther remains a part of our state’s future. We all share the same planet—let’s come together to create a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone. #Florida #Wildlife #Conservation #Nature #Development #Sustainability #WildlifeProtection #PantherPreservation

Montana has committed to purchasing 32,981 acres of a conservation easement in the Salish and Cabinet mountains between Kalispell and Libby. This easement will protect wildlife habitats and essential landscape connectivity, providing permanent public recreation access. This will simultaneously protect the natural wildlife and give Montana’s citizens access to public recreation centers. The easement will provide an integral migration corridor and year-round habitat for Montana’s migrating animals. This is amazing as it is vital for humans and the environment to co-exist and incorporate our flora and fauna within our comprehensive plans so humans and the environment can flourish together. It is important to note that Montana has also focused on purchasing more than 50,000 acres of habitat conservation leases. These leases are voluntary, incentive-based agreements between the State of Montana and private landowners that focus on conserving wildlife while encouraging traditional agricultural practices. Providing public access and protecting natural wildlife is crucial while incentivizing local and long-standing traditional industries, which are Montana's backbone. https://lnkd.in/dNZqVerk Luis Nieves-Ruiz, FAICP Nemesie Esteves, MSRE, CCIM Aida Ortiz, ACoM, MBA Luciana Mino, MBA, PMP