Developing State Parks Into Businesses
Last week, DeSantis’ office unveiled their new plan to bring people and money into state parks. The governor’s “Great Outdoors Initiative” plans to build various projects on nine state parks in Florida.
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The project details how pickleball courts, golf courses, and large hotels will be built on this land.
Immediate Backlash
Once this project was unveiled, DeSantis faced immediate backlash, as Floridians do not want to see their untouched state park land completely changed into a golf course.
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Both Democrats and Republicans in Florida have expressed their disappointment and disapproval with this idea. Various lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum have also publicly disagreed with DeSantis on this issue.
Putting Rare Species at Risk
Many environmentalists have pointed out that Florida’s state parks are homes to various rare species. Building on this land could, therefore, put them at risk.
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For example, the Florida scrub-jay is a threatened species in Florida. If this bird’s land is taken away, and it no longer has its normal habitat, this could force the species to go extinct.
Many Animals Have Nowhere Else to Go
Julie Wraithmell, the executive director of Audubon Florida, has pointed out that many of these species and animals have nowhere else to thrive.
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Wraithmell said that state parks “are the last strongholds for a lot of wildlife in rapidly urbanizing communities in Florida.”
Seeing an Untouched Florida
These state parks allow these animals to thrive away from people and developments. However, Florida’s state parks also offer residents and visitors the chance to see a different kind of Florida.
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“They have an outsized importance — not just to wildlife but also as places where Floridians and visitors can continue to see what Florida was like,” Wraithmell said. “It’s the best of Florida.”
Experiencing Nature
Many Floridians have pointed out that state parks are some of the only untouched land left in Florida where locals and visitors alike can really experience and enjoy nature.
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Eric Draper, the former head of the Florida Park Service, explained that Topsail is in an area where “you can stand on the beach, you look right, you look left, and you just see a lot of condos and developments and houses. But this is one place that you can stand and look for three miles and not see any development.”
DeSantis Faces Republican Backlash
Environmentalists and activists aren’t the only ones calling out DeSantis for these ideas on converting areas of state parks. Republican Senate President Kathleen Passidomo recently blasted the idea.
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“Our vision (for state parks) did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels, which in my view are not in-line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature,” Passidomo said on X. “From what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form.”
Floridians Are Not Happy
Many lawmakers, such as Republican Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, have come out against DeSantis’ plans in a very public way. However, an incredible amount of Florida locals have also expressed their anger at this project.
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This backlash has been so quick and intense that Department of Environmental Protection hearings planned for Tuesday were completely scrapped. Now, the rescheduled hearings will occur after Labor Day.
Florida Locals Protest at State Parks
Hundreds of Floridians even protested this weekend at or near the nine parks that are a part of DeSantis’ plan. Many of these protestors held up signs that had wildlife art created by Veronica Steiner on them.
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These protestors were making their voices heard about how upset they are about DeSantis’ project idea.
Neither a Red or Blue Issue
Steiner has explained that the appreciation of state park land isn’t a red or blue issue. All Floridians want these lands to stay untouched.
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“I don’t think this is like a red or blue issue,” Steiner said. “I think anybody that lives and has been raised in Florida should care about the land, and that should be politics aside. Everyone should try to protect their natural resources, period.”
DeSantis Defends Plans
DeSantis’ office has defended his plans, even though many Floridians are completely against the idea.
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His press secretary Jeremy Redfern said, “Teddy Roosevelt believed that public parks were for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and we agree with him. But it’s high time we made public lands more accessible to the public.”