The Florida

Fish and
Wildlife
Conservation
Commission
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By Tea Martinez
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

o A state criminal justice agency that works to protect Florida’s fish and wildlife as

well as their natural habitats, while protecting and aiding Florida citizens and
visitors. 

o Each division of the agency has a specific task in fulfilling FWC’s mission. The
divisions protect Florida's natural resources and people through proactive and
responsive law enforcement services, educating the public and enforcing state
and federal fisheries and wildlife laws. 

o They protect endangered species and habitats, research fish and

wildlife, and run conservation projects.

o  Each division encourages the next generation of conservationists and

enhances outdoor experiences through education, public outreach partnerships
and youth-oriented programs.
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission

o The FWC agency is comprised of six divisions with 2,112.5 employees.

o With the total budget of $405.4 million and the law enforcement division’s
budget of $77,792,887. 

o The Law enforcement division has over 1,000 employees, over 800

of whom are sworn officers.

o Locations in Tallahassee (HQ), five regional offices: Panama City, Lake City,
Ocala, Lakeland and West Palm Beach, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
in St. Petersburg, and 76 field offices and facilities.
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The FWC Law Enforcement Division

o Their officers keep public safety and participate in the outdoor experience of

residents and visitors, and conduct search-and-rescue missions to protect
the public statewide, saving approximately 1,000 people each year (Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1999-2020). 

o Officers are specially trained and implored with capabilities and

equipment that enable them to respond to emergencies, natural disasters
and other critical incidents through coordinated efforts with local, state and
federal mutual-aid partners (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, 1999-2020).

o They enforce laws to protect Florida’s resources and the safety of people

using these resources when hunting, boating, fishing, visiting state parks,
viewing wildlife, fishing commercially or processing seafood.
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The FWC Law Enforcement Division

o They enforce laws to protect Florida’s resources and the safety of people using

these resources when hunting, boating, fishing, visiting state parks, viewing
wildlife, fishing commercially or processing seafood. 

o As well as provide public safety and law enforcement services in Florida’s 164

state parks and nine state trails and enforce boating and waterways laws and
promote educational activities to enhance boating safety for residents and visitors.

o Protecting the public in rural, wilderness and offshore areas where no other law
enforcement agencies routinely patrol, providings for public safety and the well-
being of animals at captive wildlife facilities throughout the state such as Florida
zoos and theme parks, and investigate and monitor the illegal shipping of
protected and regulated wildlife into Florida (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, 1999-2020). 
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The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

o Conducts studies in order to guide protection, conservation and management efforts

for Florida’s fish and wildlife resources. Researchers monitor and provide information
on the status of habitats; freshwater and marine fisheries; harvested species;
imperiled/endangered species; and valuable plant and animal communities in
Florida (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1999-2020). 

o They have developed and implemented several restoration techniques in order

to enhance Florida’s terrestrial, freshwater and coastal habitats and wildlife
communities. 

o Volunteers respond to and provide technical support for catastrophes, including oil

spills, major chemical spills and natural disasters.

o Encourages community members to act as citizen scientists by creating opportunities

to report, share and submit information (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, 1999-2020).
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The Habitat and Species Conservation
Division
o Manages aquatic habitats, wildlife, and natural plant communities in public areas and
provides support and assistance for habitat-related issues to private and public sector
landowners. 

o Conservationists coordinate nonnative species management and research to protect

native species in Florida by focusing on prevention, early detection and rapid
response to introductions of nonnatives (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, 1999-2020). 

o They have implemented conservation programs for imperiled species to increase

populations of these imperiled species and prevent extinction. 

o The conservation team directs, regulates and funds the control of invasive plants on

public conservation lands and in public water to the protection of native plant and
animal life, human health, and safety (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, 1999-2020). 
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Interesting Facts
o The FWC protects and manages more than 575 species of wildlife, 200
native species of freshwater fish, 500 native species of saltwater fish (Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1999-2020). 

o They have several conservation initiatives in place in order to protect

Florida’s environment and wildlife such as the Coastal Wildlife
Conservation Initiative, and the Florida's Wildlife Legacy Initiative.

o The research institute has collected lots of data on many Florida’s native and

nonnative species which is readily available on the FWC website such
as facts about black bears and different types of fish and birds. 
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Bibliography
o (1999-2020). Inside the FWC. Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission. Retrieved November 16, 2020 from
https://myfwc.com/about/inside-fwc/