Saving Special Places and Building Better Communities: Smart Growth in Florida

For more than half a century, Florida has relied on growth and sprawling development to fuel its economy. Sadly, we continue to experience the tragic consequences of this approach, which has been likened by some to a “Ponzi scheme.” Today, Florida continues to face the consequences of rapidly growing population coupled with the looming threats of sea level rise and intensifying climate events. 1000 Friends of Florida has served as a state growth management “watchdog” organization since the 1980s and continues today to educate and empower citizens in the community planning process.

Our latest project, Sea Level 2040/2070, examines population growth and sea level rise trends, and demonstrates how the conservation of more land, the protection of our historic and cultural resources in our legacy downtown communities, and by encouraging smarter growth and development we can safeguard our quality of life for generations to come.

About the Speaker

Since January 2020, Haley Busch has worked for 1000 Friends of Florida to promote sustainable growth through collaboration with civic and conservation organizations statewide. She works to connect a new generation of Floridians with 1000 Friends’ mission and assists in planning local workshops and other outreach events statewide. Prior to working for 1000 Friends, Haley was the Administrator for the Florida Conservation Coalition where she helped conservation leaders build consensus on policy solutions to Florida’s pressing environmental challenges. A Gainesville native, Haley graduated from Eckerd College, Phi Beta Kappa, and obtained her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Florida. Haley resides in St. Petersburg where she enjoys kayaking, birdwatching and cycling Pinellas County’s trails and greenways.