FWC SEEKS MORE FEEDBACK ON FLORIDA’S WILDLIFE LEGACY INITIATIVE

September 19, 2005
Contact: Christine Small (850) 488-3831
Mary Scott Gilbert (850) 410-5291

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission today invited further public comment on the final submission of Florida’s first comprehensive wildlife strategy, an action plan for conserving the state’s fish, wildlife and natural places. The 500-plus page document, a component of Florida’s Wildlife Legacy Initiative, is part of one of the largest conservation planning efforts in the nation. Each state has developed a proactive action plan to conserve wildlife before they become more rare and costly to protect.

“Florida’s action plan can help us fulfill our responsibilities to conserve wildlife and the places they live,” said Thomas Eason, leader of FWC’s Species Conservation Planning Section. “The health of wildlife is often an early indicator of disease and pollution that affects us all. Florida’s action plan will conserve wildlife and natural places for future generations.”

The action plan is a living document. The FWC is committed to reviewing and revising the plan with continued public input. The FWC is planning a workshop or series of workshops early in the new year and through spring 2006, with a conference in the fall.

“The strategy is a work in progress that will be updated continually, revised and improved, based on the input of all those interested in wildlife conservation,” Eason said. “Working together, Floridians are shaping a future filled with wonderful wildlife resources and providing for the enjoyment, recreation and livelihood of its residents and visitors.”

The public review process is open Sept.16 – Dec. 16. Floridians can provide comments and suggestions online at MyFWC.com/wildlifelegacy.

Florida’s Wildlife Legacy Initiative is the FWC’s long-term approach to secure federal funding, leverage that funding, and launch and revise the conservation strategy. The success of the initiative depends on partnerships. Its goal is to avert future declines of native wildlife with a goal to keep common species common.

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