Florida Forever

There was some movement in legislation to protect Florida's environment during the recent legislative session. But advocates are lauding the removal of one provision that never made it out of committee.

The bills would also use some of the money to keep agricultural lands from being developed and pay for clean water projects.

Florida panthers will be losing more than 10 square miles of Western Everglades in which they currently roam if the builders get their way. Beloved endangered cougars are gaining ground thanks to preservation efforts that are costing taxpayers.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet next week could approve spending more than $141 million to conserve 42,000 acres of land from the Panhandle to the Devil's Garden area southwest of Lake Okeechobee.

Florida Forever would receive $100 million, another $100 million is earmarked for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, and $800 million would fund projects connecting the Ocala and Osceola National Forests.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday voted to spend around $100 million to help protect nearly 40,000 acres within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

The House and Senate began putting together budget proposals to address such issues as Everglades restoration and land acquisition.

The legislature would need to approve DeSantis' $3.5 billion proposal, which would be spread over four years.

Florida lawmakers included $27 million for manatees in the state budget this session. Environmentalists say more is needed.

State lawmakers have taken another step toward preserving land that could eventually become a corridor for wildlife to migrate within Florida. It's one of the first steps in implementing the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act.

DeSantis chose the Disney Wilderness Preserve in Osceola County for the ceremonial signing of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act. It is considered a national model in efforts to preserve migration paths for animals.