Cabot Golf company also has controversial plans for parkland in Florida

CBC Radio

Information Morning Nova Scotia - November 10, 2025 Listen online here

We've been reporting how Cabot Golf wants to expand into West Mabou Beach Provincial Park. This is not the first time the company has tried to gain access to public conservation lands. Last summer, the Tampa Bay Times reported on a controversial land swap, between Cabot and the State of Florida. We find out how that transpired.

"This proposal... it was a departure of norms, and would set a dangerous precedent in the state of Florida, if a golf developer such as Cabot was to simply initiate a request for public lands and that request was granted, that it would essentially establish a precedent for other future developers to do the same." - Max Chesnes, reporter for the Tampa Bay Times

"Cabot learned very clearly in Florida that public lands are sacred to Floridians, that they have such a unique ecological value, but they also have a significant cultural value for Floridians. These are protected lands that are protected for a reason."

"What little land we have left that's protected, in the minds of Floridians, should be protected in perpetuity, meaning there should be no other entertainment of any sort of plans to acquire public land that was already designated as conserved for future years and future generations. So I think Cabot learned that lesson very quickly from the widespread outrage, so to see Cabot sort of doing this up in Mabou area is a bit surprising to us reporters in Florida, personally. I think government leaders in the area should pay close attention to just how beloved that property is to your region. I think that's an important message to send." - Max Chesnes, reporter for the Tampa Bay Times

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