The current economic downturn presents a great opportunity for Florida to develop a strategy and plan for the state’s wildlife to thrive for the foreseeable future, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said, in a recent statement.
Notwithstanding a weakened economy, close to 70 percent of Floridians support continued funding of Florida Forever, a plan that established a state-funded conservation and recreation land acquisition program. Moreover, owing to the determination of many people, species once endangered, such as bald eagles, peregrine falcons and Florida panthers, have seen increases in their numbers more than 50 years ago.
“Through good and bad times, Floridians have demonstrated a growing concern for the state’s wildlife,” said Dr. Thomas Eason, deputy director of the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation for FWC. “Because it ultimately benefits people, conservation is a common denominator for many Floridians – even those who do not consider themselves outdoor enthusiasts.”
FWC noted that, prior to the downturn, a grim future for Florida’s wildlife was predicted. This was underscored several years ago in the 1000 Friends of Florida report which projected that, on account of booming development and growth, “natural habitats could become islands in a sea of development”, in 50 years.
“No matter what is happening with our economy, we must remember to remain diligent and determined in our efforts to conserve fish and wildlife for ourselves, and for future generations. In the end, we’ll come out better on the other side if we do what is right for people and our natural resources,” Eason said.
According to FWC, some of Florida’s best strategies to give wildlife a chance to thrive include:
- acquisition and protection of large parcels of conservation lands
- promotion of compatible agricultural activity such as cattle ranches and timber operations
- development of alternative protection techniques such as conservation easements and tax incentives, and
- ensuring thoughtful, large-scale land-use planning, development design and meaningful mitigation agreements are established.
