SAVE SPLIT OAK EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Holiday Hike Through Split Oak
Please join us on Saturday, December 27th at 8:30 AM for a guided holiday hike through Split Oak Forest. This walk will offer participants the opportunity to experience one of Central Florida’s most important conservation areas while learning about its ecological value, history, and the latest updates surrounding its future.
Meet-Up Location:
12175 Clapp Simms Duda Rd, Orlando, FL 32832
(Entrance to Split Oak Forest)
Hike Leader: Bob Stein -Email: savesplitoak@gmail.com
PAST EVENTS
Osceola County Public Comment
The Osceola Ambassadors of the Save Split Oak Forest campaign are calling on all advocates to join us in speaking up for our tax-funded conservation land during two critical Osceola County Commission meetings.
📍 Location: Commission Chambers (4th Floor)- 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL, 34741
📅 Date: November 10th – Time: 5:30 AM
Show Up and Speak Up for Split Oak Forest
The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) is hosting two community meetings on the design of Phase 1 for State Road 534
In-Person Meeting
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tohopekaliga High School – 3675 Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744 -Cafeteria: Exhibits & Staff Interactions
Virtual Meeting
Thursday, November 13, 2025
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Split Oak Not So Haunted Hike
Join Us for a Refreshing Hike Through Split Oak Forest!
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Split Oak Forest on this invigorating guided hike. Experience the fresh morning air, explore the unique flora and fauna, and discover the charm of this ecologically significant area
Hike Leader:
Bob Stein: SaveSplitOak@gmail.com
📅 Date: October 26th at 8 AM
📍 Meet-Up Location: 12175 Clapp Simms Duda Rd, Orlando, FL 32832 (Entrance to Split Oak Forest)
Virtual town Hall to Save Split Oak + Eagles Roost
Join us on Sunday, August 10th at 6:30 PM for a virtual town hall to learn about the latest threats to our natural lands from the Central Florida Expressway Authority. We will be sharing critical updates about the use of eminent domain to take conservation areas like Eagles Roost and other sensitive mitigation lands that were specifically purchased to be protected.
Register by filling out our contact page linked below.
Black Friday Yoga and Hike at Split Oak Forest
Start your day surrounded by nature with a peaceful yoga session followed by a guided hike through Split Oak Forest.
🧘♀️ Yoga: 8:30 AM
🥾 Hike: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: 12175 Clapp Simms Duda Rd, Orlando, FL 32832
Bring water, sunscreen, and a yoga mat if you have one. All experience levels are welcome!
Central Florida Expressway Board meeting- Public Comment
On Thursday, August 14 at 9 AM, the Central Florida Expressway Authority Board will meet at 4974 ORL Tower Rd, Orlando, FL 32807. This session could advance plans to use eminent domain to seize additional conservation easements and sensitive lands—including Eagles Roost—and even private properties for the Osceola Parkway toll-road extension, despite previous assurances that these areas would remain protected.
Register on our get Involved Page below
Split Oak Labor Day Hike
Join Us for a Refreshing Hike Through Split Oak Forest!
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Split Oak Forest on this invigorating guided hike. Experience the fresh morning air, explore the unique flora and fauna, and discover the charm of this ecologically significant area
Hike Leader:
Bob Stein: 407-334-6144 bobstein0523@gmail.com
📅 Date: September 1st
🕖 Time: 8:00 AM
📍 Meet-Up Location: 12175 Clapp Simms Duda Rd, Orlando, FL 32832 (Entrance to Split Oak Forest)
Canvass to Save Split Oak
Join the Save Split Oak Campaign on Sunday, August 10th at 10 AM as we launch a community flyer canvass to alert new residents near Split Oak Forest about a massive and destructive toll road project heading straight toward their neighborhoods. We will be meeting at Coffee For The Soul, Lake Nona (14019 Narcoossee Rd Suite 115, Orlando, FL 32832) before heading out to distribute flyers to nearby homes.
Public Comment in Osceola County
Speak Up for Split Oak at the Osceola Commission Meeting Monday, May 12th @ 5:30 PM
Osceola County is once again threatening Split Oak Forest—this time by pushing forward a new, illegal agreement with the Central Florida Expressway Authority and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Join us in person to demand accountability and defend our forest:
🗓 Date: Monday, May 12th 🕠 Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Osceola County Commission Chambers (4th Floor) – 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Public Comment in Orange County
Orange County Commissioner Kelly Semrad is standing up for Split Oak Forest and she needs your support. On Tuesday, May 6th at 9 AM, Commissioner Semrad will bring a critical agenda item before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, calling for a formal review of Osceola County’s new, potentially illegal agreement with the Central Florida Expressway Authority.
🗓 Date: Tuesday, May 6th 🕘 Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Orange County Administration Building – 201 S. Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 – Commission Chambers
Virtual Strategy Meeting – Sunday May 4th @ 3 PM
The fate of Split Oak Forest is once again on the line. Join the Save Split Oak Forest Coalition for a critical virtual strategy meeting on Sunday, May 4th at 3 PM via Zoom as we prepare for two upcoming commission meetings where Split Oak will be on the agenda.
🗓 Date: Sunday, May 4th🕒 Time: 3:00 PM
Public Comment in Osceola County
Osceola County is once again threatening Split Oak Forest—this time by pushing forward a new, illegal agreement with the Central Florida Expressway Authority and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. This backroom deal excludes Orange County entirely and violates the original interlocal agreement that has protected Split Oak for decades.
Join us in person to demand accountability and defend our forest:
🗓 Date: Monday, May 5th 🕠 Time: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Osceola County Commission Chambers (4th Floor) – 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Gopher Tortoise Day – Friends of Split Oak Event
Join the Friends of Split Oak Forest during their annual Gopher Tortoise Day! this is an opportunity to table and talk to many environmental enthusiasts to share information on the importance of conservation and preserving the biodiversity of Split Oak.
Volunteer Strategy Call: April 13th @ 10 am
Join the team from Save Split Oak’s issue based campaign to plan for the upcoming events that will shape our fight and the future of the forest.
Commissioner Semrad introduced a memo to bring this important issue back to the Orange County Commission and it is up to us, the people who voted against the toll road, to show up and speak up for the protection of Split Oak!
Save Split Oak Town Hall – March 7th @ 7 PM
For years, Split Oak Forest has been under threat from a proposed toll road that would destroy the most protected conservation land in Florida. Now, survey stakes from the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) have been illegally placed, and the fight has reached a critical moment. If this forest is lost, no conservation land in Florida will be safe, and a dangerous legal precedent will be set for future destruction of protected lands across the state.
Join this urgent webinar to learn how you can stop this toll road
Split Oak Volunteer Zoom Call
We are a coalition of volunteers working diligently to uphold the conservation area protections to Protect the Split Oak Forest Forever and our next call will take place on Friday, February 28th at 6:30 PM
Join us and check out our committee page to sign up for a leadership role within the Save Split Oak campaign.
Rural Boundary + Annexation Pubilc Hearing!
We Won on the Rural Boundary! Now Let’s Get Even More Protections Against Sprawl!
This event is to remind folks of a Public Hearing Occurring on August 13th between 2pm- the end of the Board of County Commission Meeting. people will be allowed to sign up to speak at the time of the hearing in the afternoon.
Join us at 2 pm at 201 South Rosalind Ave Orlando Florida 32801
Rural Boundary + Split Oak Forest Virtual Town Hall!
Let’s Talk About What’s Next on The Rural Boundary and Split Oak Forest!
Event Title: Virtual Town Hall: Rural Boundary Updates & Save Split Oak Forest Campaign
Join us for a virtual town hall featuring special guests Kelly Semrad, initiator of the rural boundary and Vice Chair of Save Orange County and candidate for Orange County District 5 Commissioner, and Lee Perry, leader of the Save Split Oak Forest campaign. This event will provide crucial updates on the rural boundary initiative and the Save Split Oak Forest campaign.
Happy Hour at Hammered Lamb: April 1st 2024 7 PM
Join us for a happy hour and silent auction on Monday April 1, benefiting Friends of Split Oak Forest.
Come have fun and socialize with delicious food and drinks at a locally owned bar on beautiful Lake Ivanhoe!
Save Split Oak: Osceola Town Hall
Join us for a crucial virtual town hall to educate Osceola residents about the imminent threats of urban sprawl and the impact of planned toll roads. These roads, proposed by the Central Florida Expressway, are set to cut through Split Oak Forest and the east side communities from Orange County through Christmas and Bithlo, Florida, into Osceola County, targeting our sensitive rural areas to create connectivity to thousands of acres owned by Deseret Ranch and the Mormon Church in partnership with Tavistock Developers.
Gopher Tortoise Day Hike: April 13th 2024
Dave Wegman will be hosting a hike through Split Oak Forest with elected officials, Friends of Split Oak Forest, Volunteers and environmental enthusiasts across the region to celebrate Gopher Tortoise day!
Split Oak Meeting at FWC: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is the government agency that manages Split Oak. It also holds a conservation easement in the Osceola County portion of Split Oak and is a party to the Grant Award Agreement with Orange and Osceola Counties to the Florida Communities Trust (FCT). At this meeting the board will be considering releasing their easement and delegating further decisions regarding Split Oak to the Executive Director, currently Roger Young. The meeting starts at 8:30am. We need as many people as possible to attend. Split Oak will be heard after lunch, but if you can arrive before the meeting starts to sign up to speak that would be the best course of action.
SAVE SPLIT OAK TOWN HALL #2 EVENT
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3798058023538981
The Committee to Save Split Oak Says YES to the Orange County amendment #2 and is excited to announce a panel of federally, state, and local officials that know the importance of protecting our natural lands.
*This will be a follow-Up Discussion on the November 3rd Election- Charter Question #2. The Split Oak Forest is home to hundreds of threatened species in need of protection from the Central Florida Expressway Toll Road threatening to expand through the middle of this important forest. This campaign is a grassroots initiative expanding the reach to voters throughout Orange County to spread awareness on the upcoming election.
Endangered keystone species like the gopher tortoise, Florida Scrub-Jay, Florida Panther, and Sandhill cranes are all located on-site. This toll road to nowhere will kill many animals and damage vital ecosystems that sequester carbon from the air, purify our water systems, and host these incredible animals all in danger of being extinct for future generations to miss.
Panelist include:
Senator Linda Stewart
Rep. Anna Eskamani
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith
Honorable Pete Clark
Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero
Introduction by Honorable Eric Rollings
SAVE SPLIT OAK TOWN HALL EVENT – FRI 8/21/20 AT 6 PM EST
Online virtual event on Facebook Live. Follow our page at facebook.com/savesplitoak
This panel includes incredible activists and community leaders including:
Valerie Anderson, Mr. Jimmy Auffant, Rachel E. Deming, and Eric Rollings
WATCH THE VIDEO REPLAY:
https://www.facebook.com/savesplitoak/videos/914245299060626
PAINTING WITH A PURPOSE: FUNDRAISING EVENT – THURS 8/27/20 AT 6 PM EST
Donations are needed for the Committee to Save Split Oak to advance the message throughout Orange County Residents to advocate for Voting YES on Amendment #2.
You are invited to watch volunteer artists do a Facebook Live Painting and collect donations on bahelf of the Committee to Save SPlit Oak.
All donors will be able to receive a print of any desired art piece created during the event and the largest donors for each piece will receive the original! (*Must live in Florida*)
For more information, Email: SaveSplitOak@Gmail.com
Save Split Oak 