Florida Native Plant Society PBC Opposes Destruction of Lands at Jonathan Dickinson State Park

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Aug. 23, 2024 - PRLog -- (West Palm Beach, FL – August 22, 2024) The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (PBCC FNPS), dedicated to promoting the preservation, conservation and restoration of native plants and native plant communities of Florida, is strongly opposed to plans that would replace large stretches of Florida's majestic Jonathan Dickinson State Park at Hobe Sound with three new golf courses.

The nonprofit organization encourages opponents to this effort to attend a public meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 3:00 to 4:00 pm, at the River Room, 201 SW Flagler Avenue in Stuart, for a presentation by the Department of Environmental Protection regarding the proposed amendment to the Jonathan Dickinson State Park unit management plan to authorize the sale of 1,000 acres of park property to a developer to construct two 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole golf course, removing the observation tower and boardwalk now used by many visitors to observe native vegetation and wildlife in the park.

Allegedly, people can obtain a copy of the agenda from the Department of Environmental Protection by e-mailing a request to: JonathanDickinsonSPpublicmeeting@floridadep.gov.

This magnificent State Park was established in 1950, and encompasses endangered Atlantic Coastal Scrub forests, home to the southernmost remaining population of Florida Scrub Jay and a large population of the Four-petal Pawpaw, both Federally listed species.  The site also protects the Loxahatchee Wild and Scenic River, freshwater and saltwater wetlands, all original native habitats of "Real Florida."  Whatever decisions were made in recent months or years were only announced recently, with a one-week notice for a public meeting, followed two days later by a final advisory group session.

In early August, the Office of Park Planning was directed by the Executive Office of the Governor to compose nine amendments to existing management plans for nine state parks. The office was directed to drop/hold other tasks and compose these amendments as quickly as possible.

Traditionally, management plans and management plan amendments require general public meetings and advisory group meetings. To fulfill these requirements, presumably as quickly as possible, eight public meetings across eight counties are going to be scheduled for August 27, and one advisory group session is going to be held on Thursday, August 29. The advisory group session will be held via Teams, where all 9 amendments are to be discussed.

Media Contacts:

Richard Moyroud

Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

561.313.6661 / moyroud@prodigy.net

Melinda Ogden, President

Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

561.285.7213 / palmbeachfnps@gmail.com