ABOUT US
The Suwannee Democratic Environmental Caucus is a local chapter of the statewide Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida (DECF).
The Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida (DECF) coordinates environmental policy for the Florida Democratic Party. The Caucus also connects environmental experts and activists with elected officials and candidates, and endorses and supports candidates for public office. In addition, we work to challenge, inform, and improve government and private sector policy through issue advocacy with the public and policy-makers.
The Suwannee Chapter of the DECF supports the broad goals of the statewide caucus. Activity of our chapter consists of meeting on a regular basis to share ideas and to schedule and participate in activities that build on common environmental interests and goals. We strive to educate our community about environmental issues, policies, and political candidates that could impact environmental outcomes in Florida. We hope to increase awareness of the importance of issues that affect groundwater, springs, soil, air quality, climate, pollution, biodiversity, food supply, ecosystems, wildlife, pollinators, and more.
To this end, we advocate for local organic & regenerative gardening, permaculture, silvipasture, planting native wildflowers, composting, shopping locally, eating seasonally, recycling, (after reducing consumption and reusing, of course!), eliminating single-use plastic, not mowing, creating native pollinator habitat, and making a safer environment for pollinators, wildlife, and humans by abandoning (and banning) pesticide use.
It is our underlying mission to educate the public about our existence and the environmental issues we intend to address, while generating support for our community. We help to recruit, endorse, and educate local Democratic candidates and those in office according to this environmental mission. We seek to identify and provide solutions to local and statewide environmental concerns. This is not only to protect our environment, but to preserve our county’s rural setting and natural beauty.
​In Suwannee County, 81% of the population is rural, engulfed in agriculture. Our chapter therefore has a particular interest in raising awareness about the regenerative soils movement by communicating with and educating local farmers, ranchers, land managers, along with private gardeners about regenerating our soils. We also want to bring Regenerative farming principles to the attention of our local and state governments, agencies, and agricultural programs. It is our hope to create a space for collaboration between environmentalists, agriculturalists, government, and the citizens of Suwannee county.
​Together, we are stronger! As a united coalition, our caucus can organize to make a meaningful impact on preserving, conserving, and protecting the environment that we all share in common! And with your help, together we can prevail.