In the 1980s, a group of residents in south St. Johns County were looking for a platform for engaging in local politics and better protecting area ecological resources. They formed Friends of Matanzas, Inc., which began as a relatively small coalition of activists with modest goals. The organization has since blossomed into a true citizen’s task force tackling major local and regional issues. Friends of Matanzas has worked on several projects in several categories including the St. Johns County Comprehensive Plan and Development Code, transportation planning, land use planning, and environmental and waterway protection.