Speaker Max Chesnes, environmental reporter

We invite you to listen to Max Chesnes, climate and environment reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, where Max broke the bombshell story on August 21st of the proposal for development of nine Florida State Parks with golf courses, pickleball courts and resort hotels, including our Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

Max’s article stated that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), who manages our state parks, outlined the development proposal in a document titled, the “Great Outdoors Initiative." It called for sweeping park-specific management plan amendments for the development of golf courses, pickle ball courts and resort hotels. The document was leaked by a whistle-blower employee at the DEP shortly before the proposed meetings to amend the state park management plans. The State was to hold public meetings simultaneous for all nine of the park management plan amendments on August 27th, where participation in person was required. Max’s reporting was essential to allow the public to weigh in on the proposals to develop nine of our State Parks. Due to the overwhelming public opinion against the proposals, the development plans are currently on hold.

Max Chesnes reports on climate justice, state lands, pollution, wildlife, intensifying hurricanes and more. Prior to working for the Times, Max covered environmental issues for Treasure Coast Newspapers and the USA Today network in Stuart, writing about Lake Okeechobee, the Indian River Lagoon and Florida’s wondrous Everglades. Max is a 2023 journalism fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and a recipient of several environmental writing awards. He studied both journalism and sustainability at the University of Florida and is licensed to fly drones.

Meet and Greet Our New Officers: Chairperson: Diana Davis, Vice-Chair: Marianne Hosta, Vice-Chair: William Kimball, Secretary: Debra Levulis, Treasurer: Red Dunn, and Science Advisor: Ross Wilcox

We look forward to seeing you on November 25^th

at 5pm in Town Hall.

December 17th Event - Bird Walk in Juno Dunes Natural Area

Benji Studt, Palm Beach County Environmental Management - bird walk in Juno Dunes Natural Area, Tuesday, December 17, from 4:30-6 p.m. Meet at Bert Winters Park on the south side across from the pedestrian entrance to the southern tract of the Juno Dunes Natural Area for a sunset walk in nature.

Click Here for Web Page JunoEcology.org

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