A Partnership Driven Approach — The National Wildlife Refuge Association

This is a ground-breaking effort that would provide additional resources to help reduce the impacts of climate change, offer additional outdoor recreational opportunities — such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and paddling for residents and visitors — and protect healthy and sustainable habitats for the region’s unique species. This is good for the environment, the economy, and Florida. Southwest Florida has a rich history of conservation planning and land protection, but resources are scarce, and the need is high. The time for more conservation funding, landowner engagement, and effective partnerships is now. The conversation has started with landowners, tribes, sportsmen, partner agencies, and the private sector to ensure appropriate input and strategies to maximize this historic effort.

Southwest Florida is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, but concerted, science-based, and partnership-driven conservation can succeed. Planning for the Southwest Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Area is an important and exciting step forward to making conservation success a reality. The time is now.