FWC News

Showing 1 through 10 of 118 articles for tag invasive

• FWC Commissioners approve proposed rule changes for green iguanas

  Wednesday, November 5, 2025 -  These rule changes will further enable more Floridians to collect live green iguanas from their established range within the state and facilitate sale of those iguanas out of Florida

• FWC conducts aquatic plant control on Lake Okeechobee

  Thursday, October 2, 2025 -  The FWC will treat invasive Luziola subintegra (neotropical water grass) in areas where it exists in dense monocultures to limit ecological damage to the lake’s beneficial native plant communities and to preserve native habitat.

• FWC seeks public feedback on proposed rule changes for green iguanas 

  Tuesday, September 2, 2025 -  The proposed changes to Chapter 68-5, Florida Administrative Code will be discussed at the virtual public meetings, including alternative considerations for outdoor caging and biosecurity for live, wild-caught green iguanas possessed for sales, as well as live green iguanas possessed for exhibition and research.

• FWC conducts Lake Okeechobee invasive plant management starting July 28 

  Friday, July 25, 2025 -  A total of 2,500 acres of torpedograss, a Category 1 invasive species, will be managed.

• 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ kicks off today

  Friday, July 11, 2025 -  This year’s competition features the exciting addition of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge locations.

• Join us this July for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™

  Monday, June 16, 2025 -  The 10-day competition, running from July 11-20 and hosted by the FWC and South Florida Water Management District, features an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons.

• FWC Commissioners approve proposed rule changes for nonnative species

  Wednesday, May 21, 2025 -  Invasive species management is a high priority for the FWC because these animals negatively impact native fish and wildlife, cause damage that is costly to repair, and can pose a threat to human health and safety.

• Registration now open for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™  

  Thursday, May 15, 2025 -  Visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register for the competition, take the required online training, view the optional training opportunities, learn more about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, and find resources for planning your trip to south Florida to participate in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™. 

• Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day and Festival     

  Tuesday, May 13, 2025 -  Everyone is invited to celebrate LRAD at this year’s Lionfish Festival, which will be held May 17–18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT at HarborWalk Village in Destin.

• FWC conducting habitat treatment at Lake Tohopekaliga

  Friday, May 2, 2025 -  The FWC will treat invasive hydrilla in the Osceola County lake in areas where it is encroaching on beneficial native submersed aquatic plants and could impact access to navigation and flood protection.