As it has in the past, 1000 Friends of Florida remains your staunchest advocate.  This Florida Legislative Session, 1000 Friends successfully led efforts to defeat damaging planning legislation, including SB 996 which would have stymied public participation by forcing citizens to pay up to $50,000 in attorneys' fees and costs for unsuccessful legal challenges.  

 

While we are pleased the legislature approved funding to construct a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce discharges to the coastal estuaries, we are outraged that they failed to fund Florida Forever for essential land conservation projects across the state.  We are rolling up our sleeves to lead a statewide effort to fund Florida Forever in 2018, as supported by 75% of Florida's voters in 2014.

 

We rely on donations from our generous donors to be able to advocate on behalf of the residents of Martin County.  If you haven't yet, please make a special gift through this year's Great Give/1000 Friends of Florida -- which will accept on-line donations today, Wednesday, May 17 until midnight.  Each Martin County donation made to 1000 Friends of Florida through the Great Give will be amplified by bonus pool dollars! Great Give 2017 a 24-hour online donation event coordinated by the United Way of Palm Beach County, Achieve, Nonprofits First and United Way of Martin County to support nonprofits in the region.   

 

And please remember - 24 hours CAN change our community!