Help plan the future of the John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will present the draft elements of the 10-year Management Plan update for the John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area at a public hearing in Martin County on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Note: this date replaces the original meeting previously scheduled for Sept.15.

The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the Martin County Administrative Center Commission Chambers, 2401 SE Monterey Road, Stuart. The public is encouraged to attend and will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions regarding the management for the FWC-managed WEA.

The John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland WEA encompasses approximately 12,735 acres in Palm Beach and Martin counties and is currently the largest area of contiguous wetlands in Martin County. With a boundary straddling the Martin and Palm Beach county boundaries, it is set within some of the highest quality pine flatwoods, hammocks and marshes that remain in south Florida. These marshes, flatwoods and wet prairies provide important wildlife habitat for species including gopher tortoises, Everglade snail kites and Bachman’s sparrows. The John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland WEA also offers many opportunities for public recreation including hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, hiking, biking, primitive camping and horseback riding.

“The John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland WEA was purchased to ensure the preservation of fish, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources for future generations, and to provide fish- and wildlife-based outdoor recreation opportunities to the public,” said Jackie Bucheck, FWC Land Conservation Planner. “This Management Plan will specify how we intend to accomplish that goal.”

For more information and background on management plans and their goals, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation and select “Terrestrial Programs” then “Management Plans.” Hunting and fishing regulations are not included in this plan or meeting; they are addressed through a separate public process. Visit MyFWC.com/hunting or MyFWC.com/fishing and select “Regulations” to learn more about hunting and fishing regulations.

To obtain a copy of the draft elements of the 10-year Management Plan for the John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland WEA, call Jackie Bucheck at 850-487-9588 or email Jacqueline.Bucheck@MyFWC.com.