Stop the Guana River WMA Swap

Florida’s public lands are once again at risk of a heist and we need YOUR help to take action.

The Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) is considering a request by a private-landowner applicant, listed as The Upland LLC, to swap 600 acres of public land in the Guana River Wildlife Management Area for several parcels of unsimilar habitat throughout the state (view request). The applicant claims that this will provide a ‘net conservation benefit’. We disagree. The coastal parcel they propose to swap serves as recreational space for Floridians to enjoy and contains rapidly disappearing coastal hammock habitats, marshes that provide habitat and resilience, and flatwoods for our gopher tortoises. This swap would create irreversible habitat destruction at the expense of Floridians and to benefit a private developer. 

This area is part of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve and has been protected since its public purchase in 1984. Acquired under the landmark Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program, this parcel was funded by Florida taxpayers and intended to be protected forever. Yet without meaningful public notice, this land exchange was quietly added to the May 21, 2025 Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) agenda, bypassing public trust and limiting the opportunity for Floridians to weigh in. 

1. Send a message: ARC members are meeting on May 21 to vote on this reckless proposal—and they need to hear from YOU. Use our action tools to send an email and make phone calls.

2. Show up: Your presence matters. Show your support for conservation at these events leading up to the ARC meeting.

• Friday, May 16 – Poster Making Party at Spinster Abbotts (5:30-8:00 pm ET)
  • Some supplies will be provided, but bring supplies to share if you can.

• Saturday, May 17 – Rally/Protest led by Save Anastasia State Park Group (9:00-11:30 am ET)
  • Intersection of A1A N and Mickler’s Road 
  • Bring a sign to wave and water to drink (it will be hot!!) 
  • Parking at Mickler’s Landing 

• Tuesday, May 20 – Press conference hosted by State Rep. Kim Kendall (tentatively set for 10:30 am ET)   
  • North Guana Outpost, 4415 Mickler Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

• Tuesday, May 20 – St. Johns County Commission Meeting (starts at 5:00 pm ET)   
  • Let the St. Johns County Commission know you oppose the swap during public comment.
  • St. Johns County Auditorium – 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, 32084 
  • sjcfl.us/bcc-calendar

• Wednesday, May 21 – Press conference hosted by State Rep. Kim Kendall (starts at 8:30 am ET)   
  • Rotunda, 4th floor of the Capitol in Tallahassee
  • 400 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32399

3. Speak out in Tallahassee: The final decision will be made at the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) Meeting. Prepare a public comment and stand with conservationists across the state.

• When – Wednesday, May 21 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm 

• Where – Department of Environmental Protection (3900 Commonwealth Blvd. Tallahassee) in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building, Conference Room 137 

• • Transportation – A bus will be departing at 4:45 am from the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve. Reserve your spot by emailing your name and phone number to gtmnerr@mg2.lglcrm.net 

• Can’t make it in-person? Register online: register.gotowebinar.com/register/5567486426165651547 

• This major land swap—affecting public lands bought with taxpayer dollars—was quietly added to the ARC agenda, overlaps with another agency meeting, and provides minimal time for meaningful input.

• Guana River WMA was purchased under a precursor to Florida Forever, using taxpayer dollars for permanent protection. Approving this exchange undermines the principle of land bought for conservation—FOREVER.  

• The state claims a 5:1 trade as a “net gain.” But this is a flawed and dangerous argument. The Guana River WMA parcel contains rare and threatened coastal habitats—maritime hammock, mesic flatwoods, salt marsh—critical to biodiversity and climate resilience. You can’t swap 600 acres of coastal lands for thousands of fragmented inland parcels and pretend it’s a “win.” 

• Guana River WMA provides public hunting, hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing. This access will be permanently eliminated, despite claims that recreation will be added elsewhere.  

• This is not just about 600 acres. It’s about opening the door for future swaps of conservation lands—eroding one of the nation’s premier land conservation programs through a slippery accounting maneuver. Your favorite place to recreate or visit could be next!