Florida Funds to Restore Longleaf Pine, Endangered Species Habitat

Natural Resources
Conservation Service
2614 NW 43 Street
Gainesville, FL 32606
Web: http://www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov

Contact:
Renee Bodine, 352-338-9565
Carli Segelson, 772-215-9459

Release:113015

Florida Funds to Restore Longleaf Pine, Endangered Species Habitat

WHAT: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will unveil a new project to save and protect Florida’s threatened and endangered species through restoration of dwindling habitat on almost 5 million acres in Polk, Osceola, Okeechobee, Highlands, Hardee, Desoto and Glades counties. This effort will target the gopher tortoise, Florida panther and Florida grasshopper sparrow.

This project is one of more than 110 projects in the nation that will receive more than $370 million as part of the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

WHERE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Farris Bryant Building room 272, 620 S. Meridan St., Tallahassee, FL 32399
WHEN: Jan. 16, 1:30 p.m.

WHO: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, Florida Conservation Group, Wildlands Conservation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Landowner Assistance Program, Florida Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and University of Florida/, IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation.

CONTACT: Renee Bodine, 352-338-9565, Carli Segelson, 772-215-9459

WILDLIFE B-ROLL, PHOTOS: please credit to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Gopher Tortoise Flickr set: https://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwcmedia/sets/72157629330347632/
Panther Flickr set: https://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwcmedia/sets/72157647949241643/
HD Panther release video: http://vimeo.com/myfwc
Gopher tortoise video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td6F_rU6I3k
Florida grasshopper sparrow video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-UX2_QCPzI&list=UUkDj8yIrlrHB1hkU93uEZQg