Released by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission …
Yesterday the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for seven of the more than 50 species in Florida’s Imperiled Species Management Plan. The Sanibel Island rice rat, bluenose shiner and short-tailed snake are state threatened while the other four species were removed from the list in 2017 because their populations are healthy. All seven will benefit from the new species guidelines.
Background:
Species guidelines are designed to be a tool for landowners, consultants, agency partners and other interested parties on how to conserve these species. Recommended conservation measures and survey methodologies are included in the guidelines for the species no longer listed on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List (the Pine Barrens treefrog, Lake Eustis pupfish, white ibis and snowy egret). The guidelines for state-designated threatened species offer options for avoidance, minimization and mitigation of take.
The guidelines provide species-specific information on key issues relevant to real-world conservation, including:
- Essential behavioral patterns.
- Survey methods.
- Recommended conservation practices.
- Exemptions or authorizations for take.
- Coordination with other regulatory programs.
- Permitting options.
For an overview of how Florida conserves imperiled species, go to MyFWC.com/Imperiled.
Photos available on the FWC’s Flickr site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwcmedia/sets/72157711754245051/