National Audubon Society

Audubon Advocate | Your Policy Update

Today, lawmakers in Tallahassee wrapped up one of their few remaining committee weeks before the annual legislative session begins in March. Water quality continues to be a focus, and we’re working to support policy changes that positively impact the health of our water and natural resources. A ban on fracking continues to gain traction in House and Senate committees, but it remains to be seen if the House and Senate can settle their differences.

In this edition, learn more about some of the most impactful legislation being proposed, developments in Everglades restoration, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and more. As an Audubon supporter, you’ll receive the Audubon Advocate each week legislators are in Tallahassee. These updates keep you informed with the biggest developments in conservation policy and how you can lend your voice to speak up for birds and the places they need. Thank you for supporting our important policy work and sharing this update with your friends and family.

Red-shouldered Hawk

BREAKING: Gov. DeSantis Appoints Noah Valenstein to Lead the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection

Audubon is excited to share that Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Noah Valenstein just moments ago to lead the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Valenstein has served in this role for 20 months and has deep roots in Florida conservation. Audubon Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell said:

“This is a great move by Governor DeSantis for Florida’s environment. Secretary Valenstein is a Florida-grown conservationist and has the experience with the science and politics of Florida’s environment to make real progress for our state. During his brief tenure at DEP, we’ve already seen Florida Forever funding restored to $100M, strategic springs restoration projects implemented, strike teams assembled and deployed rapidly to address disease impacts to Florida’s corals, and DEP stepping up to drive state efforts on sea level rise adaptation. He made creative and effective hires to head state parks and the Division of State Lands, reenergized the agency’s regulatory functions, and has grown DEP’s culture of transparency, accountability and stakeholder inclusion.” Read Audubon’s full statement.

Sandhill Crane

This Week in Legislative Committees, and Audubon’s Appropriations Priorities

In Tallahassee this week, legislative committees continued to discuss Florida’s water woes and additional legislation began to emerge addressing climate resilience (Senate Bill1056 by Senator Rodriguez) and septic tanks (Senate Bill 1022 by Senator Albritton). Audubon is working to make sure that conservation legislation this year provides meaningful progress, not just lip service advanced by defenders of the status quo—stay tuned for opportunities to lend your voice! Sufficient funding for conservation will be an important part of this effort.

Audubon is pleased to support the following budget recommendations for conservation championed by the Governor and Commissioner of Agriculture:

From the Governor’s budget recommendations:

$100 million for Florida Forever
$360 million for Everglades restoration
$6 million for coastal resilience
$50 million for springs
$54 million for Florida State Parks

From the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ budget recommendations:

$75 million for Rural and Family Lands easements to support land conservation and water protection

Snowy Egrets

Audubon Wins Case Protecting Everglades Water Quality

In a surprising move last year, the South Florida Water Management District voted to request permission from federal Judge Federico Moreno to abandon a consent decree that required polluted water be cleaned up before entering the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and Everglades National Park. Audubon and other conservation groups challenged the premature move, and we were successful! In celebration, Audubon Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell said, “Fantastic news! Today’s denial by Judge Moreno is a huge win for America’s Everglades, the people of Florida, and the wildlife that depend on this incredible ecosystem. We’re grateful Judge Moreno stopped this unnecessary distraction from Everglades restoration. South Florida’s water quality and quantity needs are urgent, and I’m looking forward to refocusing on the restoration of Florida’s famed River of Grass.” Read Audubon’s full statement.

Wood Storks

Senators Rubio and Scott join Gov. DeSantis in Requesting $200 Million Annual Federal Investment in Everglades Restoration

In a letter to President Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott asked for a $200 million annual investment from the federal government in Everglades restoration. Everglades restoration requires strong, recurring federal and state investments to prevent the starting and stopping of projects that dramatically slow down restoration progress. Audubon supported the letter and Executive Director Julie Wraithmell said, “With the devastation of South Florida’s blue-green algae and red tide blooms in 2018, Floridians are worrying, ‘Is this our new normal?’ The future of Florida’s wildlife, human health, tourism industry and property values hang in the balance. Everglades restoration can help deliver relief—but only with swift investment. Florida has already committed to investing $200 million per year to Everglades restoration projects. We need an equal federal commitment to put restoration projects in the ground faster than ever before. Florida’s environment is the basis of our economy and quality of life. It truly is now or neverglades.”

Western Sandpiper

Audubon Releases New Plan for Restoring Gulf of Mexico

On Tuesday, Audubon released Audubon’s Vision: Restoring the Gulf of Mexico for Birds and People, a landmark report on restoring the Gulf of Mexico. In this report, Audubon highlights projects and programs critical to help the Gulf region and its wildlife recover from devastating hurricanes, oil spills, and other environmental and man-made disasters. At the center of the largest ecosystem restoration effort ever attempted, Audubon is recommending an investment of more than $1.7 billion in restoration and conservation efforts for the Gulf of Mexico. Read the full report and the executive summary.

Do you believe in restoring the Gulf of Mexico for birds and people? Add your name to Audubon’s petition today!

Common Yellowthroat

U.S. Senate Permanently Authorizes Land and Water Conservation Fund, No Cost to Taxpayers

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed legislation, the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) that will permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott voted in favor of the permanent authorization. The move does not dedicate permanent funding for the program. Until today’s action, the LWCF required repeated reauthorization from Congress to remain in existence, and inaction from Congress left the program to expire twice in the last three years. Funded by a portion of offshore oil and gas leases and at no cost to taxpayers, it returns $4 in economic value for every $1 it invests in federal land acquisition. The House is expected to take up the legislation in the coming weeks. A special thanks to the more than 20,000 Audubon members nationwide who wrote to their members of Congress in favor of permanent authorization!

Red-shouldered Hawk. Photo: Shane Conklin/Great Backyard Bird Count; Sandhill Crane. Photo: Ted Sears/Great Backyard Bird Count; Snowy Egrets. Photo: Dan Ion/Audubon Photography Awards; Wood Storks. Photo: Lorraine Minns/Audubon Photography Awards; Western Sandpiper. Photo: Ronan Donovan/Audubon Photography Awards; Common Yellowthroat. Photo: John Morrison.

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