By Amber Crooks, Senior Environmental Policy Advisor
What do you envision when you think of southwest Florida? Possibly the picturesque beaches or mangrove-lined estuaries that support productive fisheries along the Caloosahatchee River or Ten Thousand Islands? Perhaps yet, the majestic cypress trees and wetland flowways that support the Greater Western Everglades ecosystem coursing through places like the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary or Big Cypress National Preserve?
Over time, our flora and fauna, became attuned to the web of life in the wilds of southwest Florida. But as the human population increased from about 1 million people to over 23 million people in just the past 100 years, many species have become jeopardized by loss of habitat, persecution or commercial exploitation, illness, and climate change. There are over 100 species in Florida that are considered imperiled and at risk for extinction, and over 500 species of plants that are similarly at risk.
What would Florida be without the DNA that makes it unique? A Florida without its panther, manatee, or scrub jay would be akin to a museum without the artwork. And even today, we still are learning what an incredible -and sensitive- balance that is necessary for these animals and plants to even be here. For example, the giant sphinx moth adept to pollinating the rare ghost orchids that are only found here in south Florida (and Cuba), or the natural seasonal dry down of Floridian wetlands that allow wood storks to concentrate their prey into shallow pools.
While all of Florida is facing the impacts of a changing climate (stronger storms and extreme conditions), habitat loss and loss of connectivity, poor water quality, the pressure of development and transportation networks, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida is perfectly situated to protect three key species in our region that depend specifically on the lands and waters within our organizational purview. Without the remaining wild landscapes and aquatic ecosystems of southwest Florida remaining intact and healthy these three species could forever disappear.
Smalltooth Sawfish
These impressive “living fossils” might look like sharks, but are actually a type of ray. They get their names from the long imposing snouts that they use to attack their prey. Adult sawfish can grow up to 18 feet long, and baby sawfish are still a shocking 2 feet in length at birth. While sawfish historically lived throughout the southeastern coast from North Carolina to Texas, the remaining reproductive area for smalltooth sawfish is in the waters between Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys.
There are only a handful of nursery areas where adult sawfish habitually return to pup the next generation. Outside of the Everglades, these critical pupping ‘hotspots’ are only known to exist in the Peace River and Caloosahatchee River. However, several developments are threatening these essential areas needed for the survival and recovery of this species.
With the major die-off in the Florida Keys in 2024 and 2025 resulting in the mortalities of at least 65 large sawfish (and with more showing symptoms of the mysterious ‘spinning’ behavior), the pupping areas within southwest Florida are all more important to protect from the threat of coastal development and mangrove degradation.
To support research and recovery efforts, if you see or catch a sawfish while fishing for other species, please keep it in the water, untangle it if necessary, release it promptly, and report the encounter to the U.S. Sawfish Recovery Hotline: 844-4SAWFISH (844-472-9347) or sawfish@myfwc.com.
Florida Bonneted Bat
The Florida bonneted bat is amongst the largest bats in the United States, with a wingspan that can stretch up to 20 inches tip to tip. These neat creatures can travel over 20 miles in one night to forage on beetles and small insects, and return home to cryptic difficult-to-detect tree cavities where groups of perhaps of a dozen or so of them may roost. Though they can occupy bat houses or other manmade structures, less than two dozen natural roost sites have been detected as of 2019 – making the bonneted bat elusive and rare.
Southwest Florida is vital to this species. “Critical habitat” under the Endangered Species Act has been designated for bonneted bat habitat in all of the five counties within the Conservancy’s region: Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Collier counties. Such a designation means these areas are necessary to conserve the species, and most all of the identified “Critical Habitat” units are in southwest Florida.
Without the dark skies, expansive forest and wetland landscapes (and even some agricultural lands) within our region, Florida bonneted bats may struggle to recover.
Florida Panther
The endangered Florida panther, for which the population stands between 120-230, would not be here without the lands of southwest Florida. Once roaming throughout the southeast United States, the breeding population is mainly south of the Caloosahatchee River.
Though efforts to expand the Florida panther range into lands further north are gaining momentum, the habitat in Collier, Lee, and Hendry counties are particularly critical to recovery efforts. Yet, large developments and mines on agricultural and natural lands threaten the future of the panther. If fully built, 6 major developments in Lee and Collier counties would destroy over 8,500 acres of the habitat (including agricultural lands where panthers find prey like deer and hogs) that biologists have deemed essential to their mere survival.
The lands and waters of southwest Florida are home to some of the most unique and charismatic species. Their futures will be determined by our collective ability to protect the habitat they depend on in the face of ongoing threats. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has had successes in defending smalltooth sawfish pupping areas from coastal development, as well as success in establishing new Florida bonneted bat legal “critical habitat” protections (particularly in the area of the Corkscrew watershed). We have kept troubling roadways and developments proposed in panther habitat from breaking ground. But our fight to protect these species must continue until their futures are secure.
Learn more about our environmental policy efforts here.