News Releases

FWC to hold meetings on coastal conservation

News Release

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Media contact: Patricia Behnke, 850-251-2130

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Coastal Wildlife Conservation Initiative will hold a forum in St. Pete Beach on Dec. 1 and 2.  The initiative is a new comprehensive strategy for how the FWC approaches wildlife conservation in the coastal areas of Florida.

Two sessions will be held to allow anyone with a particular interest or stake in coastal issues the chance to participate. On Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., stakeholders, nongovernmental organizations and the public are invited to learn more about the Coastal Wildlife Conservation Initiative and its vision. On Thursday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, government agency representatives from the Manatee, Pinellas and Hillsborough county areas are invited to attend. FWC staff will discuss the coastal wildlife initiative and its partnership strategy and ask for attendees to identify the pressing coastal conservation issues in their area and discuss gaps in research, education, management and regulation that are standing in the way of resolving those issues.

"The CWCI's vision is to ensure the long-term conservation of native wildlife in coastal ecosystems throughout Florida in balance with human activities," said Laura DiGruttolo, Coastal Wildlife Conservation Initiative coordinator. "There are critical, immediate as well as long-standing coastal wildlife conservation issues that could be addressed more effectively through the cooperative efforts of a partnership rather than by individual agencies or entities."

Both sessions will be at the Sirata Beach Resort, 5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach and are open to the public.

For more information on the Coastal Wildlife Conservation Initiative, call Laura DiGruttolo at 386-758-0525 or go MyFWC.com/Conservation and look under the "Special Initiatives" area.