Habitat Protection

The Conservancy works to prevent harm to wildlife by preserving their habitats from land-use changes, conserving landscape corridors to provide habitat connectivity, and ensuring that habitat protections are strong.

Black Bear Cub in tree

Preventing destruction of critically important habitats

Florida is now the third most populated state in the union, and Southwest Florida is experiencing much of that growth directly. Development has led to isolated and reduced wildlife populations in Florida and has strained or removed critical pathways between core habitats.

These limited and fragmented populations may lead to inbreeding which can make for less healthy individuals, disease, and further impact populations. This may also keep wildlife from performing their natural and necessary behaviors, such as feeding or reproduction.

To avoid losing the diversity and species that make our part of the world so unique, the Conservancy diligently works with decision-makers, and directly with developers if possible, to eliminate and minimize the negative impacts of land-use changes on wildlife.

We advocate for:

Protection of habitat into perpetuity

Increasing development, mining, and other intensive uses necessitate the protection of adequate amounts of good quality habitats.

Wildlife has an opportunity to flourish on lands that are no longer available for future development or are in public ownership.

The Conservancy has been supportive of local and state land acquisition programs, and was a champion of the Amendment 1 Land and Water Legacy Initiative.

Our Work Policy Habitat Sub Image
Policy Habitat Protect Picayune Black Bear (1)

Habitat Connectivity

Roadways directly impact wildlife through loss of habitat and can result in wildlife being killed or in fragmenting habitat. Widened roads and increased traffic exacerbate these issues. Roadkill mortalities, particularly for those species with large home ranges such as the Florida panther, may be a significant threat.

In planning for future development and transportation systems, the Conservancy advocates for important habitat areas to be avoided and for the creation and protection of corridors to provide connectivity across the landscape and encourage the safe movement of wildlife from one area to another.

In order to help wildlife cross roads that dissect wildlife habitat, the Conservancy also seeks properly sized and located wildlife crossings to be included in transportation and development plans.

Corridors and Crossings: Protecting the Florida Panther and the Florida Wildlife Corridor

Strong protections for endangered species

The Conservancy advocates for species protection laws and management plans to be based on the best available science and to ensure the continued viability of the species. We oppose premature proposals to weaken or remove state and federal protections for listed species.

The Conservancy meets regularly with wildlife agency officials to share thoughts and concerns about dozens of issues facing Southwest Florida’s protected species.

Policy Habitat Protect Burrowing Owl

Learn more about the endangered Florida panther's help in saving critical lands in Southwest Florida with our "The Panther Hero" Infographic

Black bear tearing into trash bag

Improved coexistence with people

In Florida, wildlife tourism generates over $8 billion in spending, provides over 280,000 jobs, and produces $1 billion in tax revenue every year. The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation reports that an intact and functional corridor supports 114,000 jobs and provides $30 billion in annual value from recreation, tourism, and agriculture in wildlife habitats.

Florida’s expanding population and increased development into wildlife habitat have left wildlife populations with limited space to live in and forced them into closer quarters with humans. In addition to protecting adequate amounts of habitat where wildlife can live a natural life, we also work to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

Loss of habitat, combined with unsecured trash or an easy meal, can attract wildlife into neighborhoods.

Panthers in Peril
Florida panther in front of natural habitat
With only about 120-230 adult Florida panthers remaining, the population is considered to be at risk for extinction.
And while they are protected under the Endangered Species Act, their habitat is not fully protected, which poses the single greatest threat to their existence.

Since the 1930s, at least one-third of the forested land in south Florida has been cleared for agricultural and residential development — and continued threats of fragmentation and development further jeopardize its recovery from the brink of extinction.

 

Tackling The Issues

Intraspecific Aggression

Panther Walking in forest

One of the main causes of death for the territorial Florida panther is what scientists call "intraspecific aggression." To prevent this, an adequate amount of preserved habitat is essential. Whereas panther densities are dependent on such factors as prey density and habitat quality, male panther home ranges average approximately 200 square miles and female home ranges average approximately 75 square miles. By preserving panther habitat and fighting inappropriate development, we can help panthers establish their own individual ranges and decrease these territorial disputes.

Primary Zone Development

DS Housing Development

The range of the Florida panther once extended from Louisiana throughout the Southeast and the entire state of Florida. Today, however, the reproductive segment of the panther population is largely confined to areas south of the Caloosahatchee River. In Kautz et al. (2006), a study considered to be best available science, biologists designated quality habitat centered in Collier, Lee and Hendry counties as "Primary Zone" lands. Panther biologists have defined the Primary Zone as the essential habitat needed to sustain the current population of panthers.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida advocates that development projects avoid impacting any panther habitat or take steps to minimize their impact, especially in this Primary Zone area. We continue to oppose projects such as the Rural Lands West – a 4,100-acre development in the Collier County Rural Land Stewardship Area – and push for such development to move outside of primary panther habitat areas.

wildlife corridors

Panther crossing street sign on a rural road

The need to provide adequate home range territories is apparent. Unfortunately, development has created physical boundaries prohibiting a panther's movement from one conservation area to another. These islands of habitat must be connected by corridors in which panthers can safely move back and forth. These critical corridors promote a northern expansion of the existing panther population by facilitating their dispersal from south Florida.

Every year, a significant number of panthers are killed attempting to cross roads.

It is imperative to make an attempt to reduce the rate of these human-caused mortalities by directing development away from areas important to panthers and implementing proven highway designs that facilitate the safe movement of panthers across roadways that bisect and fragment areas essential for the persistence and expansion of the panther population.

Ongoing Work

In 2017, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) initiated a 5-year status review for the Florida panther. The aim of this review is to assess new information and science, and ultimately will influence the species’ listing status under the Endangered Species Act list. The panther could be retained as Endangered, could be downlisted to Threatened, delisted and no longer receive protections, or possibly be considered for relisting as a Distinct Population Segment under the Act.

The Florida panther has been an essential part of Florida indigenous ecosystems for millennia. As our state mammal –selected by students in 1982- the panther needs continued protection at the highest level in order for our natural heritage to persist into perpetuity against intensified threats of habitat loss and its associated impacts, increased human population and interactions, genetic isolation, and other factors. These enduring threats continue to warrant listing of the Florida panther as endangered.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, in collaboration with our partners, advocates for the highest level of protection to continue to be afforded to this species.

Habitat Tile, Resource Center Header - Panther Eyes

interested in learning more? dive deep into the documents and resources on this topic and others by heading to the Policy Resource Center!

Compensation Program
Pantherpilot.jpg

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Florida Panther Compensation Program provides financial assistance to those who have experienced depredations by panthers. Ranchers may receive compensation funds for free-ranging cattle that have been lost to panthers. Homeowners keeping pets or small livestock may receive funds to help build a pen to protect them from depredation. The program’s goal is to encourage coexistence between landowners and native wildlife.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida initially launched a one-year pilot program in June of 2011, and the program is currently still active.

The Free-Ranging Cattle Compensation Program is designed to help compensate small farms when their free-ranging animals — typically calves — are lost to panthers.

The Pen Building Assistance Program may provide compensation funds to assist landowners who wish to build a predator-resistant pen to protect their small hobby livestock and pets from losses due to the Florida panther.

PantherPilot2

Free-Ranging Cattle Compensation Program

  • Designed to provide financial compensation to those who have lost free-ranging cattle due to a verified Florida panther depredation.
  • Due to limited resources, small, family-owned and operated farms – typically with less than 300 head of cattle – will receive top priority for compensation.
  • Depredation losses due to Florida panthers subsequent to October 2010 will be considered through the program, providing that the loss was investigated and verified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  • The Free-Ranging Cattle Compensation program may compensate each owner for up to $599 and is subject to change.
  • Compensation may be adjusted under certain conditions, at the discretion of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
Panther crossing street sign on a rural road

PEN BUILDING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

  • The program offered by Conservancy of Southwest Florida may provide financial assistance for homeowners who build protective pen enclosures.
  • A typical protective pen is composed of chain-link fencing, a roof and is 20 feet by 10 feet and about 6 feet tall.
  • Materials to construct a typical protection pen are estimated at approximately $1,500.
  • Priority is given to those who have had a verified loss of a pet or livestock by a Florida panther. To qualify, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission must have investigated the incident and determined the loss occurred from a Florida panther.
  • The Pen Building Assistance Program may provide up to 75-percent reimbursement, up to $599, for the cost of the materials required for construction of a predator-resistant pen and is subject to change.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit an application to begin the process with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Panther Compensation Program. Necessary information may include a copy of the “Florida Panther Response Plan Investigation Report” and any other relevant written communication you have received about the depredation incident from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Click here for an application form.

Please be advised that in some areas, authorizations or permitting from the local government may be necessary before constructing a pen enclosure.

Call (239) 776-5601 if you have questions about the application process or to confirm that we have received your application.

interested in learning more? dive deep into the documents and resources on this topic and others by heading to the Policy Resource Center!

Black Bears

 BLACK BEARS

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida advocates for increased protection of the bears within our southwest Florida region, especially the bears in Glades County that are at risk for local extinction as a non-viable subpopulation.

We urge decision-makers to limit development that could increase wildlife conflicts, and increase corridors to connect bear populations to each other.

Not that long ago, the black bear was listed as a protected species in the state of Florida. In 2012, the black bear was removed from the State of Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species List despite opposition from environmental groups, including the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Today, the population of black bears in Florida has been divided into subpopulations, in part by development that isolates pockets of habitat and places bears in closer contact with humans. Populations that are isolated are threatened by the ramifications of inbreeding as well as limited space for necessary behaviors such as feeding, foraging, and reproduction.

One of the subpopulations in Southwest Florida, located partially in Glades-Highlands counties, is in grave danger of extirpation - a local extinction. This population does not meet the minimum numbers to remain viable and the connection between this subpopulation and our Big Cypress subpopulation is limited due to lack of habitat corridors. There is hope to reestablish a link between the South Florida bear population and the South-Central Florida bear population, but only if we continue to secure the Florida Wildlife Corridor and do not diminish the existing source bear population within the greater western Everglades ecosystem.

Conflict between bears and an exploding human population have led to worries over public safety and increased euthanasia of ‘conflict’ bears. Further, as development pushes farther into black bear habitat, humans are more likely than ever to come in contact with bears. People can knowingly and unknowingly create a danger to bears and others if unsecured trash bins, birdfeeders, pet food, and other attractants are left to provide easy meals for bears.

Feeding bears, knowingly or unknowingly, is prohibited in Florida and may result in fines and charges.

When bears associate easy meals with humans, they begin to lose their fear of humans and may even become dependent on humans for their food and begin occupying neighborhoods. Bears that are unafraid of people are problematic for both people and for the bears, themselves. Bears that associate food with humans are more likely to be killed as problem bears. 

The saying, “A fed bear is a dead bear,” has never been more true.

HISTORY OF CONSERVANCY INVOLVEMENT

2009 - 2012

  • Conservancy was a stakeholder in drafting of Black Bear Management Plan in which we advocated for continued protection under the state’s imperiled species list and better conservation of bear habitat. We also advocated for removal of a “social carrying capacity” cap on the population, and any language regarding hunting.
  • We provided comment letters, spoke with agency officials, and provided testimony before the Commissioners at their hearing.
  • RESULT: Black Bear Conservation Rule, now part of the Florida Administrative Code, included language requiring continued Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) involvement in the development permitting process.

2012 - PRESENT

  • Serve as a Bear Technical Assistance Group (TAG) stakeholder for the state FWC. A ‘TAG’ is an appointed group of representatives and experts to provide input and advice to the agency.

2014 - PRESENT

  • Serve on the FWC South Bear Stakeholder Group. A central focus on the group is to avoid and minimize human-bear conflicts through reduction of attractants and proper waste management.
  • Conservancy appointed to federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Panther Recovery Implementation Team Transportation Subteam, which has been working on identifying opportunities for landscape connectivity and underpasses to facilitate movement of large mammals, including bears and panthers.

2015

  • Conservancy rallies against the proposed bear hunt, as well as other sweeping parallel proposed changes to bear management (including depredation permit program, expanded hazing, and accelerated killing of nuisance bears [a.k.a. One Strike Rule]).
  • We provided comment letters and testified at public hearings opposing the hunt due to: unknown effects on the South population; threat to South-Central population from hunting occurring to the South (as these bears are possibly a source for this struggling subpopulation); and need to focus resources on trash management and habitat protection (the real source of human-bear conflicts).
  • Our marketing campaign included being a guest on the WGCU radio show and other radio shows, as well as local media outlets. We wrote an opinion piece that was circulated widely. We also partnered extensively with other environmental groups, including coordinating conference calls to develop strategy.
  • We participated in all public meetings on the subject, from community meetings, state-wide Q&A calls, TAG calls, and at the Commission’s meetings in Jacksonville and Sarasota providing in-person testimony.
  • RESULT: FWC Commissioners passed a resolution regarding trash management and committed to a timeline and action plan to go before municipal governments in bear hot spots. FWC is also revamping their role in the SFWMD and DEP ERP process to provide stronger and more consistent comments and conditions for developments in bear habitat.

ONGOING

  • The Conservancy has continued to track the potential for a bear hunt to re-emerge with the FWC.
  • We continue to comment on developments and other loss of bear habitat, advocating for greater habitat protection and conditions to limit human-bear conflicts.
  • In 2019, Collier County, in consultation with FWC, adopted a local ordinance to reduce bear-human conflicts. The ordinance allows use of Bear Resistant Solid Waste Containers.
  • The Conservancy wrote in opposition to a new bear hunt in December, 2024, and we will continue to monitor the request by FWC Commissioners to bring forward a new hunt proposal in 2025.