1000 Friends of Florida Wants to Befriend You
An advocacy organization that holds the government accountable while educating citizens about a better future for all Floridians.
By Kayla Byrd
Founded in 1986, 1000 Friends of Florida is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that educates Floridians on government planning for land management and conservation projects. By working at the legislative level and providing input on proposed bills, 1000 Friends of Florida keeps citizens empowered and in the loop on the proposed ways the government intends to use their land. Headquartered in Tallahassee, this advocacy group stays close to the bureaucracy and red tape so that they can better advocate for those who strive to protect agricultural lands and wildlife habitats from the commercialization projects that threaten its existence.
To achieve awareness and engagement at the local and state level, 1000 Friends of Florida often hosts webinars and outreach programs leading up to legislative sessions that keep people up to date on the latest news regarding their communities. They encourage anyone who is deeply invested in the welfare of their state to also participate on the local level by voting in local politicians who align themselves with environmental organizations, pushing for policies that bring about positive changes, and addressing local issues by vocalizing them to elected officials. Kimberleigh Dinkins, policy and planning director of 1000 Friends of Florida states, “It is really incumbent upon the local governments to make those decisions with a regional framework to make sure that the development that is occurring is happening in the right place.”
