It is deeply personal to me and many Floridians who are concerned about the actions of the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission). Our very surroundings are at stake. The FWC is tasked with the vital responsibility of guarding and preserving Florida's breathtaking wildlife and natural habitats. Yet our affinity for these environmental treasures isn't reflected in the process that shapes FWC leadership; it remains disturbingly non-democratic.

In the past, Florida's Council of 100 members or Real Estate Developers - often lacking the necessary environmental expertise - were given the authority to shape FWC decisions. This has led to Florida increasingly becoming overpaved, with natural areas being neglected, improperly zoned, or impeded by myopic construction projects fueled by profit rather than sustainability.

Given the scenario, power must be vested back in the hands of the people, so we can determine who best to protect and preserve our state’s natural wonder. This petition is a call for the FWC to be transformed into a publicly elected department, thus ensuring a more democratic, accountable, and qualified leadership.

Sign this petition if you agree that the preservation of Florida’s precious environment should be a decision taken by its people, not a select few who might not fully appreciate the significance of what is at stake.