The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) became operational July 1, 1999, after Florida voters elected to replace the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, the Marine Fisheries Commission and parts of the Department of Environmental Protection with a new agency.
“I’m proud to say that over the past 25 years, we've made outstanding strides in our mission to manage Florida’s fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly through many changes, and because of their unwavering commitment and passion, we've accomplished so much.”
Its accomplishments include:
Growing the state’s Wildlife Management Area system to include more than 6 million acres of public land.
The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail now has more than 500 premier wildlife viewing sites across the state selected based on their unique wildlife viewing opportunities and ecological significance, educational opportunities, access for the public and resilience to recreational use.
TrophyCatch is a citizen science program that collects valuable data and helps encourage fishing and conservation.
The world-renowned Python Challenge, an innovative competition created to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology, has been developed and refined.
The Florida Youth Conservation Center Network, a statewide group whose massive growth can be attributed to a thriving partnership with the non-profit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, a robust network of partners, and families’ need to get kids outdoors and away from devices.
The Vessel Turn-In Program allows vessel owners whose vessels are at risk of becoming derelict to voluntarily surrender their unwanted vessel to the FWC. Surrendered vessels are removed from Florida waters and destroyed at no cost to the vessel owner.
The FWC and its staff thanks all its partners, stakeholders, volunteers and others who have helped make it one of the foremost conservation agencies in the country, and look forward to making the next 25 years even more outstanding.
