Wildlife Policy

Florida Wildlife Policy: In Brief

As of June 2006, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported 118 endangered, threatened, and species of special concern statewide. This total includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates. Some of these imperiled species historically had a large range; others are endemic or found in a very localized area.

While natural diseases can affect wildlife populations, much of the rapid decline in health and numbers has been due to human impact, including:

Habitat fragmentation and isolation due to development and transportation systems (roads and highways)
Introduction of invasive exotic plant and animal species
Automobile-related fatalities
Airborne pollutants and pesticide application with its runoffs

Audubon of Florida and the Broward County Audubon Society are seeking to help protect birds and other wildlife through advocacy and community education. With your help, we can reverse the plight of at-risk species and give them the same opportunity for recovery as that of our national symbol, the Bald Eagle, which in September 2007 was removed from the list threatened and endangered species.

What you can do

Volunteer. Give back to your community with a few hours of volunteer work doing invasive species removal, cleanups, trail maintenance and other projects to conserve and protect wildlife habitat.
Create a backyard habitat. Remove non-native species from your landscape and replace them with native plantings. The shelter and food source will provide rest and nourishment to resident and migratory wildlife, and create pockets of suitable habitat. Convince other homeowners and/or your Homeowners Association to implement native landscape projects. You'll help create large-scale habitats, one neighbor at a time.
Vote with your wallet. When traveling to nature-based destinations for birding and outdoor recreation, tell local businesses why you are there. Tell hotels and restaurants that local nature destinations are the reason for your business. Use birder calling cards to promote the economic benefit of healthy habitats.

Keep your cats indoors.
There may be more than 5 million cats in Florida, many of which spend at least part of their time outdoors. Introduced to North America in the 19th century, cats are instinctive hunters and will attack birds and other wildlife even when not hungry. Controlling cat populations and keeping them indoors reduces unnecessary kills and helps wildlife populations to thrive.

Make your voice heard. Wildlife species protection requires us to preserve the things that humans also require: Clean air and water, open space, and healthy ecosystems. Use your vote and your voice to alert public officials to the importance of land management, water conservation, and other critical environmental issues.