The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding regional workshops for local governments to share ways to promote habitat and species conservation in their communities.
The goal of these workshops is to encourage participation in the conservation of listed species at the local level by providing information to help participants establish local gopher tortoise protection policies. Additionally, FWC staff will discuss how local policies can help conserve other wildlife species and provide information on financial incentives available to local governments for habitat management.
A workshop hosted by Bay County is scheduled for July 22 at the Bay County Government Center in the Commissioners Board Room. Representatives from local governments in nearby counties are encouraged to attend.
Bay County
Wednesday, July 22
9 a.m.–noon
Bay County Commissioners Board Room
840 W 11th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
"The purpose of this regional workshop is to encourage local governments to be our partners in conservation for gopher tortoises, a threatened species whose burrows provide shelter to hundreds of other native species," said Caitlin Jones, Local Government Coordinator for the FWC's Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section.
Supplementary presentations by the FWC's Shorebird Program and Bear Management Program will be provided.
The workshop is free, but registration is required as space is limited. Register for the workshop at FWCLGWorkshop.eventbrite.com.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise to access the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan and more opportunities for local governments.