Environment

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FWC updates to permitting guidelines benefit Florida gopher tortoises

On Dec. 1, 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved staff’s recommendation to update Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines. The goal of the update is to better protect gopher tortoises by incentivizing relocations to protected recipient sites, clearly defining roles and responsibilities in the relocation process, and clarifying other provisions in the guidelines. Key revisions and information included in the guidelines were presented at two public webinars where FWC staff collected feedback from participants. Staff reviewed feedback and...

FWC now accepting applications for newly created Vessel Turn-In Program 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is now accepting applications for a recently approved and newly created Vessel Turn-In Program, a key component of Florida’s derelict vessel prevention program. VTIP is a voluntary program designed to help owners dispose of their unwanted at-risk vessels before they become derelict. Upon approval of an application, VTIP will take a surrendered vessel and dispose of it at no cost to the boat owner. Removing the vessel before it deteriorates into a...

FWC to meet Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 in Panama City Beach

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet in person Nov. 30-Dec.1 at Bluegreen’s Bayside Resort and Spa, 4144 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach, FL, 32408. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. CST each day and is open to the public. The FWC is committed to providing opportunity for public input. There are several opportunities prior to the Commission meeting to provide comments. Also, time is allotted for public speakers at the Commission meeting. Public speaking is...

Florida Forests Week celebrated with workshop in Chipley Oct. 26

VICKSBURG, Fla.– This year, in partnership with the Florida Forestry Association, the Florida Forest Service will be celebrating Florida Forests Week the week of October 23 – October 29, 2022.  This is an opportunity for Floridians to learn about the benefits of actively managed forests and understand the importance of healthy forests to their daily lives. From raw materials for wood products, clean air and water, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and carbon sequestration; Florida’s forest are a source of many benefits...

FWC cracking down on illegal harvesting of saw palmetto berries

An ongoing problem in Central and South Florida has now spanned across the Panhandle. The illegal harvesting of saw palmetto berries has been on the rise in several local state managed lands, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) law enforcement is cracking down. Each year, the FWC Division of Law Enforcement works targeted details statewide into the illegal harvest of saw palmetto berries, which are typically harvested between the months of August to October. The harvest of palmetto...

Volunteers needed for International Coastal Clean Up Day at Lake Powell Sept. 17

The Lake Powell Community Alliance (LPCA) together with St. Andrew Bay Watch (RMA), Friends of Camp Helen State Park and Bay County Audubon invite you to participate in a community effort to clean up Lake Powell. Sign-in will begin promptly at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 17th at the Lake Powell Park [boat ramp behind Publix] or at Camp Helen State Park. The cleanup will last until noon. FREE t-shirts will be given to the first 50 volunteers to register....

Find a fawn? If you care, leave it there

White-tailed deer fawning is in full swing in the Florida Panhandle. Sometimes people assume a fawn they find by itself has been abandoned, and they try to “rescue” it. But instead of trying to rescue it, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advises that you leave it alone. During the first few weeks of a fawn’s life, a doe will hide her offspring then move to a safe distance to prevent her scent from attracting predators to the...

FWC hosting scallop rodeo in St. Andrews Bay Aug. 27

Join FWC biologists at their upcoming Scallop Rodeo in St. Andrews Bay on August 27 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Rodeo participants may collect up to 200 bay scallops for FWC biologists to use in scallop restoration cages. The goal of the restoration cages is to protect the scallops from predators and provide a successful spawning event due to their proximity with other scallops. All Scallop Rodeo participants will receive a custom dry bag at check-in. Check in will...