Come to one of the Florida State Parks Love Fests, organized by the Suwannee-St. Johns Group of the Florida Chapter of Sierra Club, in conjunction with WWALS, OSFR, and others.

You remember last year, when a proposal for golf courses and hotels at Florida State Parks was postponed “due to overwhelming interest” (read: massive statewide protest) and then cancelled.

This year, we need people to help strengthen FL SB 80 and HB 209, which put some constraints on privatization plans, but not enough.

You can help online:
https://waterkeepersflorida.good.do/SB80_2025/SB80_Sponsors/

And you can come down to a state park on the Suwannee or Santa Fe River next weekend.

Florida State Parks, Love Fests 2025-04-05-06, Suwannee River SP, Manatee Springs, O’Leno SP, Gilchrist Blue Spring

On the Suwannee River:

• Suwannee River State Park, Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 10 AM to 1 PM.
  “Show your love for our parks at this river side picnic.
  10am meet at the 1st Pavillion for a Suwannee River Trail walk
  11am – 1pm Refreshments and BBQ at the Pavillion”
  https://www.facebook.com/share/1E3vR83GvT/
  More details and RSVP:
  https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000l52KyIAI
• Manatee Springs State Park, Sunday, April 6, at 10 AM – 2 PM
  “Show your love for our parks at this river side picnic.
  Enjoy an entertaining day at this beautiful spring that flows into the Suwannee River.
  Bring your cooler and let’s share a picnic under the Catfish Pavilion.”
  https://www.facebook.com/events/933188948690475
  More details and RSVP:
  https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000l53CXIAY

On the Santa Fe River:

• O’Leno State Park, Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 10 AM
  https://www.facebook.com/share/1E3VgWbcXo/
  “Enjoy an entertaining guided hike with an experienced naturalist.”
  More details and RSVP:
  https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000l5B3BIAU
• Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 11 AM to 4 PM
  “Enjoy a relaxing and entertaining day at this world class freshwater spring.”
  https://www.facebook.com/share/1BVgwRWMaX/
  More details and RSVP:
  https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000laT3gIAE

Let’s send a clear message that our parks are for nature, not developers. #SaveOurParks #FloridaStateParkLoveFest

Background: Last summer, Florida’s wild places came under threat from Governor DeSantis’ plan to build golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts, and more in our state parks. In less than 9 days, protests across the state drawing thousands of activists shut down that threat. Now there are two bills moving through the legislative process, CS/SB 80 and HB 209, that as currently written/amended cannot prevent the development threats we fought last year.

For information about other STATE PARK LOVE FEST locations visit: http://savefloridaparks.com

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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