Rallying Support for Florida's Special Places

(Reprinted from the Audubon Advocate)

Sandhill Lakes of the Panhandle A year has passed since Audubon announced the beginning of the Florida’s Special Places campaign – a project designed to get people to enjoy Florida’s conservation lands and waters. Anticipating that a stingy legislature would cut funding from public lands programs, Audubon is encouraging people to use our special places or lose them. By getting people into the parks with family and friends and then sharing those experiences through photos and online posts, a new wave of public lands advocates is arriving – just in the nick of time.  Audubon kicked off the Special Places campaign in the precious Sandhill Lakes region of the Florida Panhandle. The sugar-sand hills and crystal blue lakes in this region were the first of scores of projects to make Audubon’s list of special places. Hundreds of people told their own online stories of Florida’s incredible natural beauty and public lands. From awe-inspiring wildlife to family memories and picture-perfect sunsets, Florida’s Special Places connect people with nature. Devil's Millhopper in Gainesville Last winter Audubon and others responded to state proposals to close 53 state parks. In just a few days the Florida’s Special Places Facebook page and the Audubon of Florida News blog were bursting with comments in support of these cherished public lands. Led by former Florida Audubon President Clay Henderson and journalist Lucy Tobias, Audubon launched a tour of 53 Parks in 53 Days. Advocates held rallies and celebrated the importance of these special places to our families and neighborhoods. After significant media attention and public response, Governor Scott backed away from the proposal. The grassroots advocates who showed such determination earlier in the year were soon tested again when a proposal was announced to build golf courses in state parks. Using the Florida’s Special Places network, Audubon worked with local chapters and other conservation groups to rally opposition until that plan was also withdrawn. Audubon staff and volunteers hosted and guided numerous events connecting people with and increasing public engagement for Florida’s Special Places. Some highlights from 2011: Hosted the Northwest Florida Water Festival introducing more than 100 people to the waterways of the Panhandle.  Guided a sunset cruise through the famed bird islands of Coastal Islands Sanctuaries. Led chapter bird walks and field trips getting thousands of people outside watching wildlife and enjoying Florida’s Special Places. Attracted flocks of visitors to the Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the Western Everglades – Special Places showpieces.