Programs of the FWC 2009-2010

From the Executive Director...

December 2009

Dear Reader:

A new decade is upon us, but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is already looking beyond 2010 in shaping what we do today.

This government agency, charged with managing the state's fish and wildlife resources for generations to come, switched gears to become more proactive and partner-oriented when it changed names and scope in 1999. We paused briefly in 2009 to note our 10-year anniversary without missing a stroke in addressing critical wildlife issues.

The FWC's next decade will build on collaborations with others interested in preserving our rich heritage. To protect and manage more than 575 species of wildlife and 700 species of freshwater and saltwater fish, the FWC and its partners continue to apply new science to critical issues of climate change, human population growth and habitat loss and degradation.

Tackling future problems now was a no-brainer for us. Florida is America's No. 1 tourism destination for wildlife viewers. However, the wildlife must share Florida's 34 million acres of public and private land with more than 18 million residents and millions of visitors. Conflicts sometimes arise. We are working to keep them to a minimum.

The FWC's work enhances the moneymaking aspect of ecotourism, recreation and commercial activities involving wildlife. Hunting and recreational fishing alone bring $8.6 billion to the state. Wildlife viewing and boating bring in another $22.2 billion. Our employees help keep many related jobs in the state by maintaining Florida's wildlife. For instance, commercial fisheries and seafood processing generate $1.2 billion for the state and almost 13,000 jobs.

The Legislature bases our budget - $291 million - partially on the revenue we bring in from hunting and fishing licenses, fines, specialty license plates, grants, contracts and documentary stamp taxes.

This 2009-2010 Programs of the FWC publication provides a glimpse of how we have organized our agency to protect the state's fascinating and diverse wildlife and habitats. Each native animal protected plays an important role in the state's different ecosystems. Our mission is to avert scenarios where a species nears imperiled status, because such a situation makes a successful recovery more difficult to achieve.

None of our work occurs in a vacuum. The FWC collaborates with volunteers; private landowners; anglers; hunters; wildlife viewers; boaters; scientists; environmental, industrial and recreational interests; and other government agencies, from local to federal levels.

For a much broader view of who we are and what we do, please visit MyFWC.com. Thank you for your interest in the FWC and the conservation of Florida's resources.

With regards,

Nick Wiley
Executive Director