After what many consider one our nation's most divisive presidential elections, there is good news to report at the local level in Florida. Voters in a number of counties directly approved measures intended to limit sprawl and protect environmental lands. Audubon took a position on a number of these and helped mobilize our members and the public to vote yes. These results show that when voters and taxpayers are personally involved in decision-making, they vote to protect the environment.

Here are some examples of local conservation efforts around Florida that made waves.

Miami-Dade: Building Better Communities bond referendum. Item #2 was passed with over 58% of the vote. This bond program will provide funding $40 million for Miami-Dade's Environmentally Endangered Lands program. Funding will go towards acquisition. The EEL acquisition priority list includes land prioritized for preservation and restoration in coastal Everglades habitat. Read more about this program.

Martin County: Lands for You II, 1% sales tax referendum. This proposal was narrowly defeated by 51.5% of the vote- a loss by 2,150 votes. While not successful, this close defeat shows that, despite economic losses suffered as a result of the 2004 hurricanes, citizens are gravely concerned about the continued loss of wildlife habitat and green space. If passed this initiative would have raised an estimated $70 million for acquisition of local land preservation and passive recreational land over three years. This vote coincides with a County Commission election that may continue to maintain poorly planned growth decisions that have increased the number of developments in controversial areas.

Lake County: Local voters passed a small increase in property taxes by an enormous 71% that will fund land acquisition (from willing sellers only) efforts for the County. Geographically important for conservation efforts to protect the Green Swamp and Wekiva watersheds, this initiative will go far in protecting remaining wildlife habitat and water resources. The Green Swamp is designated by the State of Florida as an Area of Critical State Concern, which is a major source of replenishment for the Floridan Aquifer. Protection of the Green Swamp and Wekiva watersheds are priority Audubon of Florida conservation issues. Read more about the Green Swamp here....

Also in Lake County, voters in Groveland approved a charter amendment limiting Green Swamp development by over an overwhelming ballot return. Led by local advocates- Citizens Coalition of Lake County, this successful charter amendment aims to limit growth in the Green Swamp to 1 house on every 5 acres.

Brevard County: In another local move to protect conservation lands, voters approved the extension of a significant environmentally sensitive land acquisition program. Passed by 69% of the voting electorate, this EEL program has targeted over 70,000 acres of lands, including important endangered Florida Scrub Jay habitat.

Palm Beach County voters returned a firm NO on threats to the Everglades in western Palm Beach County by passing a voluntary annexation referendum with a vote of 54%. Aggressively fought by development interests and local cities, this measure creates more County Commission oversight of decisions that could convert rural agricultural and environmentally significant lands into sprawling high-intensity housing and condos in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Read more about this issue here...

Seminole County voters passed, by 56%, a unique approach to conservation of rural areas. Fed up by municipal zoning that often favors poorly planned growth, citizens approved a referendum measure that establishes a "rural area" in the eastern part of the county and makes it more difficult for cities to annex into the area. This new designation enacts a requirement that county approval is needed for new municipal annexations that might open the way for development in rural portions of the county near the St. Johns and Econlockahtchee Rivers.

Indian River County voters approved by 67% a 1/2 mill increase in property taxes to fund a $50 million environmental land acquisition bond issue.

A landmark turnout of voters in Volusia County helped to approve an urban growth boundary in the county's charter. This referendum was heavily opposed by development interests, but voters decided in favor of this Audubon supported proposal by 70%. Read more about Audubon of Florida's position on Growth Management.