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News Release

Wild Kingdom's Jim Fowler urges Amendment 4 support at FWC meeting to protect wildlife

September 18, 2008
Contact: Henry Cabbage, 850-528-1755

Jim Fowler, former host of the television series "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," spoke at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting Wednesday in support of proposed Constitutional Amendment 4.

During the FWC's meeting in Jacksonville, Fowler represented a coalition of about 70 conservation and outdoor recreation groups, pushing for passage of the amendment that would provide incentives for landowners who conserve their property for wildlife habitat.

Earlier this week, Fowler teamed up with the Florida Wildlife Federation, the Nature Conservancy, Audubon of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce at a press conference in Tallahassee to draw attention to the proposed amendment and urge support for it among voters.

The FWC's seven-member board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution in June, expressing support for the proposed amendment.

The amendment, to appear on the general election ballot in November, would encourage landowners to set aside land for conservation easements or practice proactive conservation to benefit all Florida wildlife, including the panther and black bear. If 60 percent of voters approve the amendment, it will become part of the Florida State Constitution.

The resolution notes that Florida's population may double to 36 million people within the next 50 years. It says development will claim millions of acres of wilderness and erode the state's rich legacy of outdoor recreation if officials fail to address growth projections with wise and creative solutions.