December 22, 2021

Florida Governor Recommends $53.55 Million in State Conservation Initiatives for 2022-’23

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission seal Ron DeSantis’s Freedom First budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 reaffirms the Republican Governor’s commitment to the high-priority of Florida conservation, including red tide research and manatee rescue. The Freedom First budget is now before the Florida legislature for approval.

Of the $53.55 million total package for conservation, the Governor recommends $17.5 million to additional wildlife-enforcement officers, equipment and operations. Other conservation highlights of the DeSantis Freedom First budget include:

$3.8 million for manatee care, rescue and mortality response
$750,000 for coral reef recovery
$3.2 million for land additions and a land-use planning program
$3 million for restoration of lakes, rivers and springs
$4 million for expanding mechanical control for invasive plant management
$7.2 million for increased boating access and safety
$9.9 million to combat invasive species
$4.2 million for continued red tide research

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