​How can we ensure harmonious development in America’s Sunshine State?

The coronavirus pandemic has firmly put the brakes on travel. It’s not all bad news, though. We now  have a golden opportunity to reflect on the things we value most about our local community. Perhaps you are thankful for a nearby park, a favourite nature walk, or the wildlife you see when out and about?

Emil Ekvardt from Great.com interviewed 1000 Friends of Florida Outreach Director Haley Busch as part of its ‘Great.com Talks With…’ podcast. This series aims to shed light on organizations and experts whose work is making a positive impact on the world.  In this episode we talked with Haley about the importance of conserving Florida’s vibrant and diverse natural and cultural heritage.

Preserving natural Florida in the face of pressure to develop

Many don’t realize that Florida is awash with varied landscapes and ecosystems such as swamplands, springsheds, mangroves, prairies and more. 1000 Friends of Florida advocates for the conservation of these wild spaces and champions compact and sustainable patterns of development to accommodate its growing population. This creates more vibrant communities as well as lessening the impacts of development on Florida’s natural lands.

Haley explaines that well-planned compact development can help us reduce the strain on vital resources. Paving over Mother Nature to accommodate a growing population threatens our life support system: the natural cycle that brings us fresh drinkable water and protects us from extreme weather. Rapid development has a tangible community impact, too. In the long-term, it overburdens local infrastructure like roads and schools.

Listen to the whole interview to find out about the advocacy work 1000 Friends of Florida is doing at the state level to limit the impact of M-CORES, 330 miles of planned toll roads that will cut through some of the state’s oldest natural ecosystems. You can also read more about the organization’s priorities and donate to help preserve Old Florida for future generations.

Great.com is an organization that is changing the way people think about charity, development, and organizations. They’re leading the next generation of charitable giving with their completely remote and radically transparent team. Find out more.

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