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FWC Signs – Educational, Loan from Regional Office, or Regulatory

Replace a current sign - Over the years the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has produced graphics for numerous signs that provide the public with guidance about how to avoid harmful interactions with or detrimental impacts to Florida’s fish, wildlife, or habitat. Some of the signs found around Florida may now be old, faded, or damaged, and need to be replaced. The following sign graphics are available to help you replace these signs. (Note: The FWC signs will have an FWC logo on the sign.)

New signs for your property – If you have a property that would benefit from posting any of these signs, you may do so at your own expense.

Note: Some of these signs may be permit related and it is the responsibility of the permit holder to maintain the signs and replace them at cost as needed or required.

Coordinate with a sign vendor to download the print quality pdfs for the signs you want to replace or purchase.  Modifications, including adding logos, are prohibited.* 

Sign Pages for These Iconic Species

FWC Recognition Signs for Individual Homeowners, Neighborhoods, or Landowners

Waterway Regulatory Signs

Section 327.40, Florida Statutes, regulates all Uniform Waterway Markers that are in, on, or over the waters of the state or the shores thereof. As a result, the public may not order or produce waterway regulatory signs for placement on or near the water. 

Municipalities, counties, or other governmental entities must submit a permit application to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Boating and Waterways Section (Section 327.40. Florida Statutes) to place any danger, regulatory, and/or informational marker in, on, or over the waters or shores of the state. 

For more information about requesting signs on waterways, please review Waterway Markers.

To report damaged or missing waterway markers (signs or buoys), call 866-405-BUOY (2869) or complete an online report form.

Sign that reads
Panther Road Sign

Transportation – Wildlife Awareness Signs

Wildlife Awareness signs are placed along roadways to alert drivers that caution is needed while driving. The animals designated on the sign do not specifically cross where the signs are located; they will cross anywhere along the road in areas near or beyond where a sign is posted. Yellow diamond shape signs with black silhouettes of the following animals are found along many roads in Florida – deer, panther, bear, and alligator. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles posts and maintains these signs. Please slow your vehicle and look for animals in these marked areas.

Other Known Wildlife Signs Used in Florida

If you are interested in obtaining any of these signs, please communicate with NOAA or download their graphics from their Protected Species - Educational Signs website. 

Help Protect North Atlantic Right Whales sign
Warning! Do not catch or harass sea turtles sign
Sawfish Are Endangered sign

Additional sign topics available:

  • Dolphin
  • Sturgeon
  • Giant manta rays

New Sign

Save the Manatee Club

Save the Manatee Club provides free manatee awareness signs to people who own property along any of Florida’s waterways. Please check their requirements and contact the club to obtain a sign.

Old Sign No Longer Available

Save the Manatee Club

Sign Production Guidance

Sign Locations

Signs should be placed in prominent locations that are easily viewable to individuals on foot or who use assisted mobility devices. Signs may be placed in kiosks near public entrances to facilities or waterways. Avoid posting signs along driveways or roads. Consider posting multiple signs at larger facilities, marinas, or areas with numerous walkways/entrances.  Signs related to aquatic species should not face the water or be attached to navigational markers in the water.

Sign Materials and Suggestions

  • Use durable, weather resistant materials such as fiberglass or aluminum
  • Consider high pressure laminate with UV protection for kiosk signs
  • Thickness 0.063 or 0.080
  • Round the sign corners if the sign is not placed in a kiosk
  • Ultraviolet (UV) and weather resistant ink is recommended
  • Pre-drilled holes make it easier to mount signs
  • Engineer grade Type 1 reflective sheeting for aluminum signs

Basic Sign Sizes:

  • 36” x 24” (large) – recommended for large surfaces or walls.
  • 24” x “18” (medium) – recommended for posts or pilings.
  • 12” x 18” (small) – recommended for smaller flat surface areas and areas exposed to high winds.

Note:  Some FWC sign graphics may use other sign measurements than what is listed here.

FWC Internal Page Sponsor

FWC Education and Outreach Standing Team.

Contact current staff to add other FWC signs or to maintain this page.

*Note

Federal or State government facilities may request sign modifications from the FWC to add a logo or make a site-specific change before producing a sign. FWC sign modifications and approvals are handled through the designated FWC section and the agency’s graphic art section.

 

Other

If you do not see a sign that relates to your specific species need, please reach out to the FWC and staff will assist you. Submit your sign questions or requests through the AskFWC service and note the species of interest in your request.