Orange County Democratic Environmental Caucus

It is with a heavy heart to announce that the environment took a blow today, and another step back in our fight to save Split Oak Forest.

The fight, however, it's not over. From what can be determined in this article, while this is another step forward to achieve their goal to build this highway, it's not yet a done deal.

We will continue to fight for the environment, nature, and our wildlife population.
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Release of conservation easements approved for road planned through Split Oak Forest The South Florida Water Management District’s recent vote affects about 55 acres of land in Orange and Osceola counties.

Please see the shared information on Commissioner Semrad's page regarding the heat we are currently experiencing here in Central Florida.

Please status safe, make any necessary and appropriate accommodations, and please stay 💧HYDRATED 💧

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From, Your Friendly Local Environmental Caucus
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Central Florida is in the throes of a heat wave! The "feels like" temp reached 100+ this past weekend. As you all may recall, Orange County recently lowered its heat index activation threshold to 103, while Osceola and Seminole counties remain at 108.

The heat index — often called a “feels-like temperature — is a measure of the temperature plus humidity levels, and it's used to trigger the opening of locations where anyone who is experiencing homelessness can go to cool off in shaded or air-conditioned facilities. Some of these locations are libraries or community centers, while others are shelters, day-service sites or mobile-shower providers. Most offer cold water, while others also provide salty snacks, cool showers or cooling supplies.

NOTE: These hot, humid conditions can be extremely dangerous for people who are unsheltered — and especially the elderly or people with chronic health conditions. It is particularly important for those individuals to stay hydrated and seek intermittent relief from the heat to allow their bodies to recuperate.

Thank you Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida for providing this handout. Please SAVE and SHARE to protect our community from extreme heat.

If you are in a position in which you must ensure the current heat conditions, please review this shared FB post from commissioner Semrad's office, and the attached flyer.

Please stay safe, take appropriate measures, and stay 💧HYDRATED💧

🌏🌎🌍🌍🌎🌏🌍🌎🌏
From, Your Friendly Local Environmental Caucus
🌍🌎🌏🌏🌎🌍🌏🌎🌍

Central Florida is in the throes of a heat wave! The "feels like" temp reached 100+ this past weekend. As you all may recall, Orange County recently lowered its heat index activation threshold to 103, while Osceola and Seminole counties remain at 108.

The heat index — often called a “feels-like temperature — is a measure of the temperature plus humidity levels, and it's used to trigger the opening of locations where anyone who is experiencing homelessness can go to cool off in shaded or air-conditioned facilities. Some of these locations are libraries or community centers, while others are shelters, day-service sites or mobile-shower providers. Most offer cold water, while others also provide salty snacks, cool showers or cooling supplies.

NOTE: These hot, humid conditions can be extremely dangerous for people who are unsheltered — and especially the elderly or people with chronic health conditions. It is particularly important for those individuals to stay hydrated and seek intermittent relief from the heat to allow their bodies to recuperate.

Thank you Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida for providing this handout. Please SAVE and SHARE to protect our community from extreme heat.

Join us on June 27th at 10 am to canvass for Samuel Vilchez Santiago! He is running for House District 43. Use the link below to register!

https://orange-county-democratic-environmental-caucus-of-florida.solidarity.tech/canvass-for-samuel-vilchez-santiago?r=VWCsqqIs

The current regime continues to protect Big Oil over endangered species habitat!!! We MUST have a blue wave for the midterm elections! Be sure to check your voter registration and vote-by-mail status!

The Environmental Caucus is proud to endorse the Plant-Based Treaty! 🌱🌎

“As the Environmental Caucus, we believe in establishing policies that serve all living beings - animals, plants and humans. Our current food systems directly correlate with the climate crisis, and we wish to support the Plant Based Treaty to create a more sustainable environment.”

Opposition to Data Centers continues to grow.

Residents interviewed in Lott, Texas:

Question: are data centers gonna flip in the sentence seat?
Response: Absolutely. Yes, 100%.

Question: You're willing at this point to forego, basically every conservative issue, and let the Senate fall to the hands of Democrats. If that's what it takes to kill data centers.
Response: Yep! My entire community is gonna break rank.
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While here in Florida...

Vero News 05/29/26
IRSC nixes plans for controversial days center amid claims lied about project details: https://share.google/rZwQYy60K2IdlEEfi

The Tallahassee Democrat. 04/30/26
Why four Florida hyperscale data centers are running into opposition: https://share.google/doe2PPNbOptpciDiy

AOL 05/29/26
Florida residents sue Florida Power & Light over Indiantown project: https://share.google/dsNQE2YOeRD0e6vvK

WGCU News 04/22/26
Opposition to data centers mounts; more could come to rural Okeechobee County: https://share.google/HMg6PA0HKWwsfjW6e

Today we collected over 300 POUNDS of trash at Lake Ivanhoe! Thank you to Central Florida Recon for their continued partnership - and be on the lookout for more kayak cleanups in the future!

Thank you also to candidate Aaron Emmanuel Lewis for taking time out of your day to join us!

Join us on July 24th at 6 pm for our Climate Candidate Forum at the Dover Shores Neighborhood Center! Come out for a plant-based potluck, followed by the candidate forum. We hope to see you there!

Register Here:
https://orange-county-democratic-environmental-caucus-of-florida.solidarity.tech/climate-candidate-forum