TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Environmentalists are launching a petition campaign for a proposed state constitutional amendment that would earmark $10 billion in state funds over 20 years for land and water conservation in Florida.
    
Several groups announced Tuesday they have formed a coalition that will attempt to get the proposal on the 2014 ballot.
    
They say the Legislature has slashed funding for the Florida Forever program by 97.5 percent - allocating just $23 million since 2009. Florida Forever is designed to purchase and manage environmentally endangered lands.
    
The program is supported by a share of proceeds from documentary tax stamps on deeds and other real estate transactions.
    
The amendment would not raise the tax but allocate a third of existing revenues to Florida Forever for Everglades restoration and other land and water conservation efforts.

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