Florida Wildlife Federation’s 2026 Legislative Priorities

In 2026, the Florida Wildlife Federation (FWF) is proud to celebrate 90 years of safeguarding Florida’s water, wildlife, and wild spaces. Since 1936, our bold advocacy has protected natural treasures across the state, and that legacy continues as we enter the 2026 Florida Legislative Session. 

Last year’s session stretched to a record 105 days, bringing both hard-fought victories and difficult setbacks. While funding for the Florida Forever land conservation program was slashed to just $18 million—far short of the $100 million commitment Floridians were promised—important progress was made. The State Park Preservation Act became law, safeguarding our parks from incompatible development, and HB1143 passed, preventing oil drilling near Apalachicola Bay. The Legislature even allocated $6.25 million for restoration of the Ocklawaha River, but the Governor’s veto halted that progress. 

Now, as the 2026 session begins January 13 and runs through March 13, we remain steadfast in our mission. We’ll continue to build on our priorities: secure conservation funding through Florida Forever, defend Florida’s public lands, and restore the Ocklawaha. With your support, we’ll continue building on nine decades of conservation victories to protect Florida’s future. 

Florida Forever remains our state’s flagship conservation and recreation land acquisition program, building on the success of its predecessor, Preservation 2000. Together, these programs have safeguarded more than 2.6 million acres of conservation land, from state parks and forests to wildlife management areas that provide public access, recreation, and critical wildlife habitat. 

But last year, despite overwhelming public support, Florida Forever was allocated just $18 million, a devastating cut that fell far short of the $100 million annual commitment made only two years prior, and far less than what voters demanded when they overwhelmingly supported increased conservation funding in 2014. This funding shortfall undermines our ability to protect land at the pace required to meet today’s challenges. 

In 2026, we must send a clear message: Florida Forever must be fully and consistently funded if we’re to protect the lands and waters that make Florida unique, safeguard habitat for wildlife, and ensure public access for future generations. 

Florida’s public and conservation lands are among our greatest treasures, and in 2025, Floridians made their voices heard, delivering real results. 

A major victory came with the passage of the State Park Preservation Act, now law, which ensures that incompatible development—such as golf courses, hotels, or other inappropriate uses—will not be permitted in our state parks. Another win came with HB1143, which prevents oil drilling near Apalachicola Bay, safeguarding vital waters, fisheries, and biodiversity. 

As we near the 2026 Legislative Session, our second focus remains: defend public lands, by ensuring transparent conservation decisions and upholding lasting protections for wild Florida. 

The Ocklawaha River is the heart of the Great Florida Riverway, connecting Silver Springs to the St. Johns River. For decades, its natural flow has been blocked by the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam, but restoration can bring this ecosystem back to life. Reuniting the Riverway by partially breaching the dam would revive the Ocklawaha, strengthen Silver Springs, and restore connections to the St. Johns—benefiting local economies, expanding recreation, improving habitat for countless species, and advancing the largest springs restoration project in Florida’s history. 

In 2025, the Legislature took a historic step by including $6.25 million in the state budget to begin restoration. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed the funding, stalling progress once again. While this was a disappointing setback, momentum continues to build. To learn more about the significance of this effort, watch our livestream on Reuniting the Great Florida Riverway. 

As we approach the 2026 legislative session, FWF remains resolute in our final priority: restoring the Ocklawaha is essential for Florida’s waterways, and with public support, we can finally see this decades-long vision realized. 

As the 2026 Legislative Session nears, FWF is ready to build on nine decades of advocacy to protect Florida’s water, wildlife, and wild spaces. From securing full funding for Florida Forever, to defending our public lands, to restoring the Ocklawaha River, our mission is clear—and your support is what makes this work possible. 

We invite you to donate today to strengthen our efforts in Tallahassee and across the state, and to sign up for our monthly newsletter so you never miss an action alert or update during session. Together, we can ensure wild Florida endures for generations to come.