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Here’s your chance to make a difference in wildlife conservation

08 February 2013 Marcy Shortuse

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) just posted draft action plans to conserve 23 species of native wildlife and wants the public to weigh in by reviewing them online.

After reviewing the individual action plans at MyFWC.com/Imperiled, people can comment on what is proposed in the scientific material to conserve each animal. The comment period on these plans continues through March 13.

These 23 plans are a vital component of Florida’s new conservation model, which first involved preparing Biological Status Reviews for imperiled species and now requires developing plans to conserve each one of them. The 23 species are the first group among 60 species that will receive draft species action plans. The remaining species action plans will be released this spring and summer.

Once the action plans are revised, FWC teams will look for common themes and actions to develop Integrated Conservation Strategies. Finally, an Imperiled Species Management Plan will be developed that ties together the action plans for each of 60 species, addressing the commonalities of what’s necessary to conserve all the wildlife represented in the plan.

The 23 draft species action plans include 11 bird species, five fish species, four mammals and one amphibian.

For more information and to see the 23 plans and comment on them, go to Myfwc.com/Imperiled and select species categories under “Your opportunity to participate.”