Stop Alico from Demolishing Florida’s Historic Orange Groves


Stop Alico from Demolishing Florida’s Historic Orange Groves
The Issue
Florida’s citrus groves are disappearing—fast. Now, Alico, one of the state’s largest citrus growers, has announced plans to convert thousands of acres of orange groves into sprawling housing developments. They’ve already filed permits for two massive new communities totaling over 9,000 homes near Collier, Lee, and Hendry counties.
This comes just months after Alico said it would end citrus operations altogether. A perfect storm of hurricanes, developer demand, and citrus greening disease has devastated Florida’s orange industry—but demolishing the land where oranges once thrived shouldn’t be the answer.
Orange groves are more than farmland—they’re part of Florida’s identity. They fuel local economies, preserve open space, and connect us to our agricultural roots. But if this trend continues, we’ll be left with subdivisions where groves once stood, and a heritage that’s been bulldozed away.
We’re calling on Florida officials to reject Alico’s development plans and protect the remaining citrus land. Support conservation easements, strengthen zoning protections, and stop developers from wiping away the groves that once made Florida the orange capital of the world.
Sign now to demand action before it’s too late. Once the groves are gone—they’re gone for good.
172
The Issue
Florida’s citrus groves are disappearing—fast. Now, Alico, one of the state’s largest citrus growers, has announced plans to convert thousands of acres of orange groves into sprawling housing developments. They’ve already filed permits for two massive new communities totaling over 9,000 homes near Collier, Lee, and Hendry counties.
This comes just months after Alico said it would end citrus operations altogether. A perfect storm of hurricanes, developer demand, and citrus greening disease has devastated Florida’s orange industry—but demolishing the land where oranges once thrived shouldn’t be the answer.
Orange groves are more than farmland—they’re part of Florida’s identity. They fuel local economies, preserve open space, and connect us to our agricultural roots. But if this trend continues, we’ll be left with subdivisions where groves once stood, and a heritage that’s been bulldozed away.
We’re calling on Florida officials to reject Alico’s development plans and protect the remaining citrus land. Support conservation easements, strengthen zoning protections, and stop developers from wiping away the groves that once made Florida the orange capital of the world.
Sign now to demand action before it’s too late. Once the groves are gone—they’re gone for good.
172
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Petition created on April 16, 2025