The History of the Conservation Alliance
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The Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County was established in 1972 to seize a rare opportunity to preserve pristine land bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Fort Pierce Inlet from condominium development. We rallied local residents and civic organizations to petition the state of Florida to establish the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. Today, this Park provides 340 gorgeous acres of beaches and land for all to enjoy.
The Alliance’s founding organizations were St. Lucie Audubon, Port St. Lucie Angler’s Club, League of Women Voters, Port St. Lucie Homeowners Assn., AARP, North St. Lucie River Drainage District, Beach Club Colony, North Beach Assn., and the Indian River Drive Freeholders; the Martin County Conservation Alliance served as a general model for the group. In 1973, the Alliance, again with a consortium of individuals and organizations, embarked upon a multi-year effort to “save the Savannas.” By 1977 the Savannas Preserve State Park was established. From an original 3800 acres the park has grown to more than 6,000 acres. It is celebrated as the largest remaining freshwater coastal marsh in the southeastern U.S. Our work naturally expanded to the full-spectrum of ecologicial needs of St. Lucie County, including, for example, the protection of the Indian River Lagoon; pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and other water quality issues; passage of a no-gill-netting amendment; urban growth issues; nuclear power; wildlife corridors; sea turtle protection; tree protection, exotic plant control and much more. We have served on various advisory groups in which our environmental expertise is valued. The Alliance is proud to have completed, supported and contributed to numerous conservation projects, each one unique and each vital to protecting our area’s treasured ecosystems. 
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The work of the Alliance has contributed greatly to the quality of life we enjoy—and the needs and opportunities to continue this crucial work abound. There are countless ways both large and small that you can take personal action and support our work. Join us!
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