Conservation Environmental Advocacy

Hernando Audubon works to promote an awareness of nature, to preserve and protect our natural ecosystems and to encourage responsible environmental stewardship. Audubon’s mission is more urgent today than ever before. Natural habitat and open spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate. Protection for wildlife, natural places, and clean air and water are in jeopardy. By protecting birds, we’re also safeguarding our natural resources for future generations, preserving our shared quality of life and fostering a healthier environment for all. The primary focus of Hernando Audubon’s environmental advocacy work is dedicated to promoting improved management of public lands, whether local government or state owned. Because of limited resources we typically do not comment on proposed private or commercial development. The most significant conservation issue currently being addressed by Hernando Audubon concerns a proposed land swap of state forest land in exchange for a parcel of pine plantation some distance away, as explained below. 

Withlacoochee State Forest Proposed Land Swap – This land swap would transfer 324 acres from the Withlacoochee State Forest to a luxury golf course developer in exchange for 861 acres of pine plantation in Levy County. The Withlacoochee State Forest land parcel, which is in the northwest corner of Hernando County, would be used to expand a luxury golf course development. In June 2024, without any public input, the Governor’s Cabinet voted to approve this land transfer. The acreage planned to be conveyed to the golf course developer is land that was given to the Withlacoochee State Forest as mitigation for impacts from the construction of the Suncoast Parkway. It is contiguous with other tracts of the forest and is a significant component of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. If restored, the parcel would mature into Sandhill habitat, a habitat type underrepresented in the state of Florida.  

Of concern to Hernando Audubon’s conservation committee is the precedent this proposed land transfer would establish for other public lands requested by land developers, should it be approved. However, there is hope we can stop this land swap from being finalized! Any conservation land proposed for land transfer must first go to the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) before any other steps can be taken. Once we learn when the proposed Withlacoochee State Forest land transfer is on an ARC agenda, we will send out an action alert. In the meantime, our conservation committee is working in collaboration with other environmental organizations in communicating to state agency leaders our strong opposition to this proposed land swap. 

Weeki Wachee River

Hernando Audubon contributed to several local environmental victories over the couple of years, two of which are described below: 

One of at least 13 Gopher Tortoise cavities on Forestry property slated for a land swap.

Recreational Development within Weekiwachee Preserve – Hernando Audubon advocated for minimizing the ecological impact of proposed recreational development by Hernando County within the 12,000-acre Weekiwachee Preserve. Hernando County submitted a proposal to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to enhance recreational features within 300 acres in the center of the Preserve. Hernando Audubon was concerned that new public use opportunities (i.e., a swimming/beach feature at one of the abandoned mining pits and potential inclusion of a variety of vendors) would intensify use of the Preserve and negatively impact natural resources. While Hernando Audubon supported the continuation of existing public use options including hiking, fishing, biking, and birdwatching, we aggressively opposed the addition of a swimming/beach feature.  Responding to pressure from the environmental community and numerous stakeholders, the swimming/beach feature was removed from the County’s plan. In fact, Hernando Audubon representatives spoke in favor of approving the Preserve’s draft management plan update at a recent SWFWMD Governing Board meeting.  

Weekiwachee Preserve

Springs Protection Zone for Weeki Wachee River – The Weeki Wachee River is a first magnitude spring that has become a world-renowned tourist destination in Hernando County. Current user activities on the river are causing significant degradation and stream bank erosion. Hernando County’s proposal to designate the area as a Springs Protection Zone (SPZ) would prohibit these damaging activities. On July 19, 2023, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the County’s application for the entire spring run from the head spring within the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park to the Rogers Park boat ramp canal to be within the Springs Protection Zone. Hernando Audubon actively supported the County’s proposal, submitting written comments in support of the designation and providing public comments at two public meetings. The Springs Protection Zone will provide a simple prohibition on anchoring, mooring, beaching, and grounding anywhere within the protected stretch of river. This new rule can easily be communicated to recreational users and readily enforced by law enforcement personnel. It will enable degraded areas to be cordoned off for restoration by planting seagrasses that will reduce erosion and improve water quality. 

To get involved with the Hernando Audubon’s conservation committee, contact Tom: tomstclair8@gmail.com or 904-303-0919.