Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration plans to add golf courses, hotels and other amenities to nine protected Florida state parks, sparking bipartisan criticism over potential harm to natural habitats.
Lori Rozsa reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The proposed "Great Outdoors Initiative" would add golf courses, lodges and sports facilities to state parks like Jonathan Dickinson and Anastasia, known for their natural beauty.
- Environmentalists and some Republicans argue the plan contradicts the parks' mission to preserve Florida's natural environments.
- Public opposition is growing, with more than 59,000 signatures on a petition to halt the developments.
Key quote:
“This goes to the whole concept of, what are our state parks supposed to be?”
— Clay Henderson, environmental lawyer and author of “Forces of Nature,” a book about Florida’s environmental history
Why this matters:
Turning protected parks into recreation hubs threatens Florida's unique ecosystems and could set a precedent for further commercial development in natural spaces. Public opposition may shape future conservation efforts.
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