Bill > S1800

This resolution affirms the importance of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a vast network of public lands and privately owned "opportunity areas" that are crucial for connecting natural habitats and supporting Florida's environment, economy, and quality of life. It recognizes that this corridor, encompassing over 18 million acres with 10 million acres already as public conservation lands, faces threats from population growth and urban sprawl, making the protection of the remaining nearly 8 million acres of opportunity areas, often working ranches, farms, and forests, vital. The resolution highlights the success of state programs like the Florida Forever program and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program in securing conservation easements with willing landowners, which not only preserves natural landscapes but also supports agriculture and food security. Furthermore, it acknowledges the expansion of public access through connections to trail systems, promoting outdoor recreation and tourism, and emphasizes the corridor's role in protecting water resources, sequestering carbon, and providing flood hazard protection, ultimately declaring February 17, 2026, as "Florida Wildlife Corridor Day" to celebrate its value.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1800