News: FWC takes action to protect Everglades wildlife

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at its June meeting in Fort Myers on Thursday passed a resolution calling for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop an Emergency High Water Action Plan to maintain the Everglades ecosystem. This resolution follows numerous efforts by the Commission to seek a proactive solution to these emergency situations.

High-water events cause serious near-term threats to the diverse wildlife in the Everglades, including threatened and endangered species. The plan addresses short-term high-water impacts while ongoing and planned longer-term restoration efforts are being completed.

FWC biologists have provided partner agencies with science-based water management requirements based on seven decades of experience managing the area’s fish and wildlife habitat.

“We always need to be looking at the global Everglades, not just one particular portion of it,” said FWC Commissioner Ron Bergeron. “It’s our responsibility to protect the wildlife in the Everglades, and we need to encourage our partners to help us keep the system alive while the longer-term restoration efforts are being completed.”

FWC staff continues to work with partners on efforts to restore this area by participating in planning meetings and providing comments, review and input into future decisions about Everglades restoration.

To learn more about the FWC’s major wildlife management area in this ecosystem, the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor visit FWC.

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For more information contact Carli Segelson: (772) 215-9459

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