Florida’s 2026 legislative session is entering its final stretch, while we’re closely watching and engaging with decisions that will shape the future of Florida’s water, wildlife, and wild places.
With just two weeks remaining, budget negotiations remain unresolved, and a potential extension is looming. We’re seeing both encouraging progress and serious challenges. Important conservation legislation is moving forward, historic restoration efforts are within reach, and at the same time, long-standing conservation programs face unprecedented threats.
The Florida Wildlife Federation entered this year’s session with three priorities: defending public lands, restoring the Ocklawaha River and funding land conservation. Here are three major updates concerning those priorities and how you can take action for wild Florida.
Defending Public Lands: A Major Step Forward
Guana River WMA by Morgan McClure
There is good news from Tallahassee. This year, lawmakers passed important legislation to strengthen protections for conservation lands across Florida. SB 546 passed the Senate on February 26 and HB 441 passed the House on February 17. The Conservation Lands bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.
Last year, the State Parks Preservation Act safeguarded Florida’s state parks from inappropriate development. This year’s conservation lands legislation builds on that success by extending stronger protections to state forests and wildlife management areas across the state. These lands protect wildlife habitat, safeguard drinking water supplies, and provide opportunities for Floridians to experience nature. Ensuring they remain permanently protected is a major step forward for conservation.
Help us thank the lawmakers who helped make this possible.
TAKE ACTION
Contact the bill sponsors to thank them for supporting conservation lands.
Positive feedback helps reinforce strong conservation leadership and encourages continued support for protecting Florida’s public lands.
Restoring the Ocklawaha: River Restoration Bill Nears the Finish Line
Ocklawaha River by Federico Acevedo
The Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act (SB 1066/HB 981) is scheduled for a House floor vote on March 4. But the Senate needs to build momentum and time is running out to pass this historic legislation.
We need your voice to ask Senate President Albritton to help pass SB 1066.
This is a pivotal moment for the future of the Ocklawaha River and Florida’s rivers and springs. Passage of the Act would settle decades of debate, advancing a thoughtful, community-driven approach to restoring the Ocklawaha that benefits the environment, people, and the economies of Central and Northeast Florida.
Restoring the Ocklawaha River would reconnect a historic river system, improve water quality, strengthen the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and support local communities through recreation and economic opportunity.
TAKE ACTION
Send a message to Senate President Albritton to help pass Florida’s next great restoration project.
Your voice can help secure one of the most important river restoration projects in Florida’s history.
Funding Conservation: Florida Forever Faces Serious Threats
Colt Creek State Park by Federico Acevedo
While existing conservation lands protections are moving forward, Florida’s premier land conservation program is under threat.
Florida Forever is at risk. Proposed state budgets would eliminate or severely restrict funding, threatening public lands and access.
The proposed 2026–2027 state budgets include $0 for Florida Forever in the House, and only $35 million in the Senate—restricted to easements only, which prevents traditional public land acquisition.
Both chambers have passed their budgets, but the fight for Florida Forever is far from over. Budget negotiations between the House and Senate will determine the final numbers, and your voice can make the difference.
Legislators can still push for restoration during conference negotiations if they hear loudly enough from those who care about wild Florida. Your message today could be the difference between conservation and elimination.
At the same time, significant funding is directed to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. We support that program and its role in keeping working lands in agriculture. But funding it by diverting or restricting Florida Forever dollars is bad policy.
Florida’s conservation priorities are being fundamentally reshaped, sidelining public land acquisition and redirecting funding toward private land agreements.
Florida needs both programs fully funded, not one cannibalizing the other.
TAKE ACTION
Tell lawmakers to fully fund Florida Forever.
Protecting land today is one of the most effective ways to secure clean water, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, and outdoor access for future generations.
The Final Weeks Matter Most
The final weeks of legislative session often determine the biggest outcomes. Decisions made now will shape Florida’s conservation future for years to come.
For 90 years, the Florida Wildlife Federation has worked to protect Florida’s water, wildlife, and wild places by empowering Floridians to take action where decisions are made. This year is no different.
Together, we can secure meaningful conservation wins and prevent harmful policies from becoming law.
Sign up for our email alerts to receive legislative updates, action alerts, and opportunities to speak up for wild Florida.
When Floridians speak up, conservation wins.
