Advocacy Works!
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Big money doesn’t always win, advocacy changes things, and working together is a winning strategy.
Here are a few of the ways advocates have protected the springs:
State Parks Protection Act Passed Unanimously in 2025 - After plans leaked in August 2024 to develop our state parks into golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts, conservationists across the state quickly banded together to protect our parks and stop the commercialization of our public lands. And when it came time for the 2025 Legislative Session, our conservation partners and advocates held legislators’ feet to the fire to permanently ban hotels, golf courses and other reckless development in our parks.
Apalachicola Oil Drilling Banned in 2025 - This felt like a long shot at the beginning, but we joined advocates who fought hard to ban oil drilling in the Apalachicola Basin. The passage of the “Kill the Drill” bill proves what organized, empowered communities can do when they stand up for Florida’s natural treasures.
Local Victories:
A toll road through the Springs Heartland: defeated.
Phosphate mine proposed in the Santa Fe River basin: withdrawn.
Construction of a timeshare resort along the Rainbow River: stopped in its tracks and the land is secured in conservation. What looked like a done-deal to bring construction and destruction to the Rainbow River was turned into an opportunity to forever protect it.
A mega gas station planned right over a Wakulla spring cave system: defeated. And again, the threat was turned into an opportunity to forever conserve the area.
Stronger fertilizer ordinances in Orange County, Citrus County and other local communities near our vulnerable springs: fought for and adopted.
And more! Bills defeated or advanced, policies changed, successful interventions. Each one of these victories was thanks to the advocates who answered the call when they were needed. Springs Council members are speaking out, showing up at meetings, writing emails to decision makers, and supporting local organizations, and as our numbers increase, we become a more powerful voice for springs protection.
As long as there are those who would exploit our springs for profit, there are even more people who love the springs enough to always be around to protect them. Thank you for joining this community of springs protectors.
PS: Our website has lots more information if you’re ready to dive a little deeper into springs advocacy.
PPS: Social media is often the first place you’ll hear news and new information from us - follow us on your preferred platform:
 |  |  |
