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Imperiled Species Management Plans

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s goal is to provide conservation for imperiled species through a comprehensive management system including a listing process that requires a written conservation plan for all listed species.

A team of FWC employees has been working on draft rules to achieve this goal as well as identify species that need state intervention for survival. The draft rules link species protections to science, while using a balanced approach through collaboration and partnerships.

The FWC welcomes public input and comment on the draft rules. The current draft will be revised based on stakeholder and public input and the revised draft may be presented to the Commission in December. Adoption of the rules may occur at the February Commission meeting.

The public comment period on the draft rule is closed at this time. A revised draft rule will be available for public comment in late November.

A key element to species conservation is having clear goals and objectives for species that are based on a species' biological needs in balance with the desires of the public for conservation of the species. Florida's imperiled species management plans address the biological status, conservation objectives, recommended management actions, recommended regulations and incentives, and anticipated economic, ecological, social impacts of the recommended conservation actions. Management plans are created for imperiled species in Florida with input from stakeholders and the general public. They provide guidance for the conservation of Florida's imperiled species not only to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, but also to other Federal, State, and local agencies; conservation, recreational, and sportsmen organizations; businesses and industries; biological and environmental consultants; and Florida's visitors and citizens.

Several single-species focused plans have been created under the listing process that was adopted by the FWC in 1999 and revised in 2005. These plans now guide actions in Florida for gopher tortoises, bald eagles, Florida manatees, peregrine falcon, Miami blue butterfly and the flatwoods salamander. In the future we anticipate continuing to work with anyone interested in creating management plans that will apply to multiple species that have similar management needs.

2006 FWC Management Plan Template

Approved Management Plans

Bald Eagle