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Florida Forever Funding Programs
Florida Forever began in July 2001. The initiative’s $300 million/year is appropriated annually by the Florida Legislature and is divided among the following programs:
Florida Forever DEP
$105 million/year, administered by Department of Environmental Protection, Division of State Lands. Program emphasis is projects with exceptional conservation value because of size, ecological/cultural importance, or the project’s contribution to statewide resource needs. The program uses conservation easements as well as full fee-simple acquisition to accomplish its purposes.
Learn more about the Florida DEP Florida Forever Program
Visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website
Florida Forever—Water Management Districts
$90 million/year divided among five districts. Administered regionally by each district. Program emphasis is water resource development and restoration projects as well as land acquisition for nonstructural flood protection and conservation. The program uses conservation easements as well as full fee-simple acquisition to accomplish its purposes.
Northwest Florida Water Management District
Suwannee River Water Management District
St. Johns River Water Management District
Southwest Florida Water Management District
South Florida Water Management District
Florida Communities Trust
$63 million/year, administered by Department of Community Affairs. Program emphasis is community-based parks and opens space.
Additions and Inholdings
$4.5 million/year divided equally among major state land managers. Program emphasis is acquisition of lands that enhance the management of existing conservation holdings.
Additions and Inholdings—Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Additions and Inholdings—Division of Forestry
Additions and Inholdings—Division of Recreation and Parks
Greenways and Trails
$1.5 million/year, administered by Office of Greenways and Trails. Program emphasis is acquisition of lands specifically to support the development of a statewide system of greenways and trails, including rails to trails opportunities and the Cross Florida Greenway.
Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program
$6 million/year, administered by Florida Division of Recreation and Parks. Program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to local governments for development or acquisition of land for public outdoor recreational purposes.
Rural and Family Lands
A new Florida Forever program starting in 2008, $10.5 million/year, administered by Florida Division of Forestry. Program emphasis is protection of agricultural lands in the path of development through conservation easements.
Working Waterfronts
A new Florida Forever program starting in 2008, $7.5 million/year, administered by Department of Community Affairs. Program emphasis is preserving working waterfronts that otherwise may be threatened with conversion to other uses by purchasing certain development rights.
Legal Resources
The Florida Forever Act, 259.105, Florida Statutes
