State Parks & Conservation Survival Stories

[jaxlongtimer]

Looks like parties trying to diminish State parks and conservation lands just never give up.  And the Governor's crew never learns.

After the Governor's fiasco over building hotels and golf courses in State parks, his crew was seriously considering swapping away 600 acres of irreplaceable and unique conservation land in Guana preserve.  This land was conserved for a reason, not one of which was to give it to a developer one day.

In a victory for citizens, it looks like the developer saw the tidal wave of bipartisan opposition (even Susie Wiles, Trump's Chief of Staff, weighed in) and quickly hightailed their way out.  If the State wants to redeem itself, it should fund the purchase of the lands it thought worthy of the swap.

After outrage, group behind land swap involving sensitive Florida wetlands kills deal
The speed with which the proposal emerged, and how a state panel moved it to the top of its agenda, had alarmed Florida's environmental community.

Upland LLC withdrew its application for a land swap involving 600 acres of wetlands in the Guana River Wildlife Management Area....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/state/2025/05/19/group-behind-controversial-florida-wetlands-swap-withdraws-deal/83723362007/?tbref=hp

These lands are just as important to our quality of life as any other amenity.  Amazing that anyone even thinks of messing with them.

[marcuscnelson]

Honestly ridiculous this was even an issue. Plenty of developable land in this part of the state, it never should have been in consideration for a moment to go into Guana. Glad the developer realized the tide was turning and stepped away. Hopefully that teaches them and others a lesson.

[jaxlongtimer]

Wouldn't mind seeing a local version of this for City parks, conservation set asides and other public lands, especially with respect to development.  City has been known to do some horse trading over the years.  As developer friendly as the City has been, definitely can't be trusted.

Rare for our current Legislature and Governor to do something I approve of so kudos to all on this bill.

Florida state parks saved from development as Gov. DeSantis signs protection bill

As he said he would, Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a measure to protect Florida's 175 state parks from development such as golf courses, luxury lodges and pickleball and tennis courts....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/state/2025/05/22/gov-desantis-oks-new-law-to-safeguard-florida-parks-from-development/83651122007/

[urban_]

Great news with preserving Guana and the bill that was recently passed. Is anyone else floored that the chief of staff was a part of blocking that deal? I'm not sure how noone is talking about this. It certainly hasn't been an administration known for environmental protection!

[Zac T]

Great news with preserving Guana and the bill that was recently passed. Is anyone else floored that the chief of staff was a part of blocking that deal? I'm not sure how noone is talking about this. It certainly hasn't been an administration known for environmental protection!

Susie Wiles lives in Ponte Vedra so it makes sense that she would have a vested interest in this issue