The Florida Land and Legacy Campaign has launched a petition drive to put an amendment on the November 2014 ballot to guarantee annual funding for land and water conservation.
The Florida Land and Legacy Campaign estimates the amendment would generate $5 billion for conservation and restoration of land and water resources over the next 10 years.
Will Abberger with the Trust for Public Lands emphasizes this amendment would not cost taxpayers more money.
"This is not a tax increase. We're just taking the historical funding source that's always been used for land conservation and dedicating it," he said. "The Legislature won't be able to use the funds for any other purpose."
Laurie Macdonald, Florida program director of Defenders of Wildlife, said annual funding will help environmental groups focus on the task at hand.
"It has taken a great effort for, especially the conservationists, to go back to the Legislature every year and advocate again for the program," Macdonald said.
The amendment would allocate one-third of the money collected from the excise tax on documents to help restore lost funding to the Florida Forever Program. Since 2009, lawmakers have cut funding for the program by more than 97 percent.
Since 1994, five of six amendments to the state constitution regarding environmental protection have passed.
More information on the campaign is at floridawaterlandlegacy.org.
