Critical questions unanswered, however FWC commissioners advance black bear hunt
By Amber Crooks, Senior Environmental Policy Advisor, Conservancy of Southwest Florida On May 21, 2025, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to forward new Florida black bear…
Mitigation and restoration underway in the Big Cypress National Preserve
Written by Amber Crooks, Senior Environmental Policy Advisor For over ten years, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has championed protection of the Big Cypress National Preserve from the threatening impacts…
Environmental policy team releases new wetlands storymap and panther dashboard
We are pleased to announce that our new Wetland Loss Storymap is available on our website. Wetlands are among the most valuable ecosystems in the world, and Florida has the…
Proposed Mitigation Banks bill would expedite wetland destruction
Written by SCCF Environmental Policy Staff and reprinted with permission HB 1175/SB 492, Mitigation Banks, is a bill that, if passed, will expedite wetland destruction across the state and cause…
The 40th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference
The Conservancy was pleased to sponsor and participate in the 40th annual Everglades Coalition Conference, “Reflections on Progress and Opportunities,” which was held from January 30 to February 1, 2025, at…
“Tour de Sprawl” reveals need to protect panther habitat
By Amber Crooks, Senior Environmental Policy Advisor, Conservancy of Southwest Florida On January 15, 2025, the Sierra Club hosted an event to educate the news media about critical decisions regarding…
Take Action Now to Protect the Panther Refuge from Encroaching Development
Connectivity: it can be life or death for the endangered Florida panther in the Greater Western Everglades. In Collier County, there are two important major corridors used by wildlife, especially large…
Stand With Us to Preserve the Greater Western Everglades
Written by Amber Crooks, Environmental Policy Manager “Hey guys, check this out!” My friend called out from beyond the campsite. Stepping into the open meadow, we saw what she was…
