First Workshop Set for Gopher Tortoise Conservation in Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will conduct regional workshops to present information on the management plan revisions and permitting guidelines for gopher tortoises.
The goal of these workshops is to identify ways local governments can participate in protecting one of Florida’s threatened species. In addition, the FWC will discuss financial incentives available for local governments.
Flagler County is the site of the first workshop on Aug. 3. Representatives from neighboring counties are encouraged to attend. The workshop is free, but registration is required, as space is limited.
To register, please send your name and the name of your organization to Alexandra.Perryman@MyFWC.com.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came into existence on July 1, 1999 - the result of a constitutional amendment approved in the 1998 General Election as part of the package proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission.
In the implementation of the Constitutional Amendment, the Florida Legislature combined all of the staff and Commissioners of the former Marine Fisheries Commission, elements of the Divisions of Marine Resources and Law Enforcement of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and all of the employees and Commissioners of the former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
Five years later, after consulting stakeholders, employees and other interested parties, the FWC adopted a new internal structure to address complex conservation issues of the new century. The new structure focuses on programs, such as habitat management, that affect numerous species. It will focus on moving the decision-making process closer to the public and did not require any additional funding or additional positions.
