Your Opportunity to Participate in Species Action Plans

Here is your chance to read, review and comment on the draft species action plans for wildlife species in Florida.
Each of the plans contains biological background, conservation history, and the goal, objectives and specific actions proposed for conserving that particular species.
Your input as a member of the public or stakeholder group is valued, because FWC staff will use your feedback to improve the draft species action plans.
Group 4 includes 13 draft species plans for the following 13 species:
2 Birds
- Southeastern american kestrel
- Limpkin
7 Reptiles
- Florida Keys mole skink
- Key ringneck snake
- Rim rock crowned snake
- Peninsular (or Eastern ) ribbon snake - Lower Keys
- Florida brown snake - Lower Keys
- Red rat snake - Lower Keys
- Striped mud turtle - Lower Keys
1 Fish
3 Invertebrates
- Pillar Coral
- Black Creek crayfish
- Santa Fe Cave crayfish
Group 3 includes 16 draft species actions plans for these 16 species:
3 Birds
- Brown pelican
- Burrowing owl
- Florida sandhill crane
4 Mammals
- Big Cypress fox squirrel
- Sherman's fox squirrel
- Florida mouse
- Sherman's short-tailed shrew
2 Reptiles
- Florida pinesnake
- Short-tailed snake
3 Amphibians
- Florida bog frog
- Georgia blind salamander
- Gopher frog
4 Fish
- Key silverside
- Saltmarsh top minnow
- Atlantic sturgeon
- Mangrove rivulus
A New Conservation Model for Florida Species
Beginning in 2013, the FWC is introducing draft species action plans followed by an Imperiled Species Management Plan that will be the blueprint for conserving 60 species on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species list.
We invite you to be part of the process. You have the opportunity to learn about these birds, fish, frogs, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles that contribute to keeping Florida’s natural areas functioning and alive. You will be able to read and comment on the draft species action plans for each species, as well as the imperiled species management plan.
The FWC adopted its new conservation model in September 2010 to evaluate the status of species listed as state-threatened or species of special concern. The process started with Biological Status Reviews (BSR), a health checkup for each species. With that step done, the next focus is to draft plans to manage these species through specific objectives and actions.
The species action plans will identify needed conservation actions, how to accomplish these actions and who will be involved. Following development of the species action plans, staff will look across all of the plans for common elements in order to develop more comprehensive conservation strategies. This step will help us identify priority needs and beneficial management for multiple species and habitats.
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The species plans will then be combined with the conservation strategies to create a comprehensive imperiled species management plan for these 60 species on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List. This final plan will describe the overall approach for management, will include individual and multi-species strategies and actions, and will describe the coordination and partnership that is needed for achieving successful conservation for these species and many others.
Join and support the FWC in our quest to conserve Florida’s diversity of wildlife for future generations.
The FWC is committed to keeping these 60 species healthy in our growing state of more than 19 million people. We invite individuals and stakeholder groups to be part of the process!
Under Article IV, Section 9 of the Florida Constitution,
the FWC has constitutional authority to "exercise the regulatory and executive powers of the state with respect to wild animal life and fresh water aquatic life, and shall also exercise regulatory and executive powers of the state with respect to marine life..." However, whales, manatees, and sea turtles are managed under statutory authority granted by the Florida Legislature.
Additional Rules and Regulations:
Thank you for your interest and support for listed species recovery in Florida.
Species-specific pages
Releases