FWC News

Showing 1 through 10 of 39 articles for tag invasive

• ICYMI: Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announces Winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge®

  Friday, September 15, 2023 -  1,050 participants from 35 states and Belgium removed 209 Burmese pythons from south Florida during the 10-day competition created by the FWC and partners to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology.

• Thanks to sponsors, more than $30,000 up for grabs at the 2023 Florida Python Challenge®

  Wednesday, May 24, 2023 -  The event, hosted by the FWC and the South Florida Water Management District, features an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 sponsored by Inversa Leathers. There is also a prize of $7,500 for the Grand Prize Runner Up, sponsored by the Bergeron Everglades Foundation.

• Governor Ron DeSantis Announces 2023 Florida Python Challenge®

  Wednesday, May 17, 2023 -  The 10-day competition, which runs Aug. 4–13, is open to both professional and novice participants.

• FWC issues preliminary statement regarding captive snake euthanasia at Broward County facility

  Thursday, April 13, 2023 -  The FWC Division of Law Enforcement is determining the full details of this incident and more information will be released as soon as it is verified and appropriate. Assembling the information and records may take time but the FWC is committed to providing it.

• FWC: Governor Ron DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget promotes natural resource restoration initiatives and supports law enforcement

  Thursday, February 2, 2023 -  Included in the Governor’s budget are high-priority conservation items including eradication and control of pythons and other nonnative fish and wildlife species, enhanced protections for Florida’s manatees and sea turtles, statewide seagrass restoration support, and support for law enforcement.

• Hundreds of Burmese pythons removed during 2022 Florida Python Challenge®

  Thursday, October 20, 2022 -  Nearly 1,000 participants from 32 states, Canada and Latvia came together to remove hundreds of Burmese pythons from south Florida as part of the 2022 Florida Python Challenge®.

• FWC to conduct Lake Okeechobee aquatic plant management starting Monday

  Friday, September 23, 2022 -  The cattail management areas proposed by the FWC have been approved by the Lake Okeechobee Aquatic Plant Management Interagency Task Force (an advisory group of state and federal agencies with public input on aquatic plant management conducted by the FWC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Water Management District on Lake Okeechobee) and Audubon Florida.

• Two Burmese pythons, clutch of eggs and hatchlings found and removed from Big Cypress National Preserve

  Thursday, July 14, 2022 -  In addition to python removal efforts on public lands, pythons may be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission — no permit or hunting license required — and the FWC encourages people to remove and kill pythons from private lands whenever possible.

• Mark your calendars: 2022 Lionfish Festival May 14-15 in Destin

  Friday, April 29, 2022 -  Activities will include fillet demonstrations; family-friendly games and activities; art, diving and conservation booths; and the world’s largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open.

• FWC, Southwest Florida CISMA invite the public to participate in freshwater 2022 Invasive Fish Roundup

  Wednesday, April 6, 2022 -  This event takes place from April 28 through May 1, with the weigh-in occurring on Sunday, May 1 from noon until 3 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops, Fort Myers.