This moment is one for the books.
We are thrilled to tell you that the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act has been signed into law after receiving unanimous bi-partisan approval in the Florida House and Senate. This legislation will take effect on July 1, 2021.
We are the Corridor Coalition and we seek to elevate the tremendous work of our many conservation partners, combining conservation science with compelling imagery and rich storytelling to inspire the protection of our treasured landscape to support sustainable ecosystems and economies.
Florida Legislature for Signing the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act into Law
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition Applauds Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for Signing the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act into [...]
Statement from Carlton Ward, Jr. on behalf of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition
In response to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visiting The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve in Poinciana, Florida this morning for a ceremonial signing of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act and a tour of part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, Carlton Ward, Jr., National Geographic Explorer, founder of the Path of the Panther project, and co-founder of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition, has issued the following statement:
“The Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition was pleased to join Governor Ron DeSantis, Ian Miller, chief science and innovation officer at the National Geographic Society, members of the Florida House and Senate, and representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection this morning to celebrate the Florida Wildlife Corridor and passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act.
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act is the culmination of decades of efforts focused on the importance of connected wildlife habitat and land preservation. The Florida Wildlife Corridor encompasses 18 million acres of land, and the Act encourages and promotes the protection of these lands to prevent damaging fragmentation of wildlife habitats, safeguard vital headwaters, support working cattle ranch and farmlands, and much more.
We are grateful to Governor DeSantis, Senators Wilton Simpson and Jason Brodeur, Speaker Chris Sprowls, Representative Keith Truenow, Secretary Shawn Hamilton and others for their leadership in prioritizing conservation. In addition to the $100 million allocated to Florida Forever and the passage of the Act, we are very encouraged by State’s proactive investment of $300 million to protect up to 100,000 acres of the Corridor this year alone.
Florida has historically led the country in land conservation through programs like Florida Forever, and with the addition of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, we will be the national and global example of what’s possible for nature and economies working together.”
WHY SAVE THE CORRIDOR?
Protecting Florida’s Diverse Wildlife
The network of habitat connections which sustain our best wild places is at risk. If we wish to save wild Florida, and the near 700 imperiled species it supports, including our beloved Florida bear, we must protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Florida’s population is growing fast, adding a million new residents every three years. The growth puts a strain on natural resources and habitat connections.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals, Insects, Plants and More.
Watch The Wild Divide
Our latest Expedition short film
By horseback, foot, and paddleboard three friends trek across Florida’s imperiled backbone. The Lake Wales Ridge is an ancient ribbon of sand dunes that is a hotspot for biodiversity found nowhere else in the world. It is also a place steeped in a long tradition of agricultural heritage. Both are threatened by the rapid pace of change in Florida’s wild interior. But can the backbone be held together? To experience this place and to meet the passionate stewards who call it home offers insight and inspiration on how we may one day bridge The Wild Divide.
WHAT WE DO
About the Organization
Our Mission is to champion a collaborative campaign to permanently connect, protect and restore the Florida Wildlife Corridor. We combine conservation science with compelling imagery and rich storytelling to heighten the visibility of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and inspire its protection. Through education and citizen engagement, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition advocates for the protection of the missing links needed to connect conservation lands in the Corridor. Our efforts elevate the tremendous work of our many conservation partners. Our Florida Wildlife Corridor Expeditions result in documentaries, books, videos and vivid photographic presentations that introduce these natural areas to Florida residents and visitors of all ages.
EXPLORE THE MAP
Connecting to Protect Our Precious Ecosystem
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition champions the public and partner support needed to permanently connect, protect and restore the Florida Wildlife Corridor – a statewide network of lands and waters that supports wildlife and people. Our organization has trekked 1,000 miles across Florida – twice – to demonstrate the need and opportunity to connect wild places in Florida.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Raising Awareness Through Community Involvement
HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Donate To The Cause
The Florida Wildlife Corridor seeks to bring partners and people together to accomplish the shared goal of permanently connecting, protecting and restoring the Corridor. With your donation, we will develop engaging outreach and educational programming for youth and adults, deliver key messages to citizens and officials to increase conservation funding, and aggressively pursue conservation and restoration in priority locations within the Corridor.
All donations to the Florida Wildlife Corridor are tax-deductible and go directly to the Florida Wildlife Corridor public awareness campaign.
KEEP IN TOUCH
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