Waterkeepers Florida is a regional entity composed of all 15 Waterkeeper organizations working in the State of Florida to protect and restore our water resources across over 50,000 square miles of watershed, which is home to over 15 million Floridians. Part scientist, teacher, and legal advocate, Waterkeepers combine firsthand knowledge of their waterways with an unwavering commitment to the rights of their communities and to the rule of law. Whether on the water, in a classroom, or in a courtroom, Waterkeepers speak for the waters they defend – with the backing of their local community and the collective strength of Waterkeeper Alliance.
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All of our water is connected, so policy changes at the state level will have trickle down effects in watersheds across Florida. Here are three of our priority bills for the 2025 legislative session:
Save Our Swamps
Swamps and other wetlands are absolutely integral to clean water. Wetlands filter out pollutants, provide habitat for native wildlife, and absorb water during flood events. Senate Bill 492 / House Bill 1175 will make it easier for developers to destroy these important ecosystems. We need you to contact Governor DeSantis and ask him to veto this bill.
Protect Our Parks
Last summer, thousands of Floridians rallied together to oppose a ridiculous proposal to build hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts in State Parks across Florida. In response to that outcry, legislators have filed Senate Bill 80/ House Bill 209 - the "State Park Preservation Act" - to prevent similar threats in the future. This bill still needs approval from the Governor's office to become law. We need you to contact Governor DeSantis and ask him to sign this bill into law.
Bad Boating Bill
If passed, Florida Senate Bill 1388/ House Bill 1001 (entitled “Vessels”) could undermine vital safety and environmental protections for boaters and Florida’s waterways. This bill would make it more difficult for FWCC officers to stop vessels from illegally discharging sewage into our waterways and it would make it harder for them to establish 'Springs Protection Zones,' which preserve and restore fragile springs ecosystems. Email Governor DeSantis and ask him to veto this bill.