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Coastal Wildlife Conservation Initiative. What is the Coastal Wildlife Conservation Initiative?. A multi-agency approach to address coastal issues that impact wildlife. Will include wildlife, habitat, and human needs. US FWS. Nancy Douglass. Who is developing the Initiative?.
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What is the Coastal Wildlife Conservation Initiative? • A multi-agency approach to address coastal issues that impact wildlife. • Will include wildlife, habitat, and human needs. US FWS Nancy Douglass
Who is developing the Initiative? • FWC is the lead agency. • Multiple DOI’s will provide expertise and guidance. • Partners include DEP, DCA, county governments, and others. • Diverse range of stakeholder input will be sought.
Why is a Statewide Initiative needed? • Tremendous diversity in species of wildlife that are dependent on coastal areas. • Difficulties of individual species management plans • Exceed FWC staff capacity • Potential for conflicting recommendations • Emerging and ongoing issues make addressing the coastal zone a priority. • Need for the most current, science-based approach to wildlife management. Alex Kropp
Threats to wildlife and habitat • Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation • Human Disturbances • Coastal hazards • Sea level rise FWC FWC
Initiative Goal: To ensure the long term conservation of native wildlife in coastal ecosystems throughout Florida in balance with human activities. 3 components: - Wildlife - Habitat - Human needs
Core Team: Provide guidance to and participate on objective-specific sub-teams. Maintain critical habitat Maintain wildlife populations Habitat Sub-team Wildlife Sub-team Plan Parameters: consensus building will be used to move objectives and needs into the common areas of overlap Maintain opportunities for recreational and commercial activities Human use Sub-team
Benefits of a Statewide Initiative • Framework for future management of coastal resources • One unifying, coherent document; a “toolbox” where all facets of coastal management are contained • All rules compiled • All programs (regulatory and incentive-based) outlined • Discrepancies between management practices addressed • Strategies for dealing with future uncertainties proposed • Resource for state and local agencies Nancy Douglass
THANK YOU For more information, please contact: Tom Ostertag, Conservation Ecologist (850) 410-0656, ex. 17340 Tom.Ostertag@MyFWC.com Ron Loggins