This digest is the third in a series of posts highlighting states that are leading the way in corridor and connectivity policies (see Colorado and Wyoming).
States that have connectivity policies enacted or introduced. More information can be found in the Corridor Policy Library. Credit: Center for Large Landscape Conservation. (Click to enlarge)
Florida’s human population is growing fast, and its wild places and species are increasingly at risk. The state is the third most populous in the U.S., with approximately 21 million permanent residents and growth of nearly three million people over the last 10 years alone.
Increased development across the state is putting a strain on natural resources and habitat connections. According to projections, if current growth rates continue, more than a third of all of Florida’s land will be developed by 2070. Stress on Florida’s environment also poses a direct threat to its ecotourism industry, traditional ranching economy, and quality of life. From habitat protections for black bears and the iconic Florida panther, to preserving water resources, maintaining ecological connectivity and mitigating fragmentation is vital for Florida’s people and economy.
Connectivity policy in Florida dates back to 2013, when the state legislature passed a resolution acknowledging the importance of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This resolution set the stage for the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, which officially passed eight years later. The state legislature’s concern for ecological connectivity developed in parallel with state agencies over this period, specifically with the Department of Transportation, which would release two separate guidelines for infrastructure development related to wildlife crossings.
The culmination of decades of collaborative work by various groups across the state resulted in the passing of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act in 2021. This act creates incentives for conservation and sustainable land use while managing the “green infrastructure” of habitats and connections that is an underlying driver of much of Florida’s economy. State officials’ enthusiasm for the legislation was publicized by the Governor’s office and exemplified by comments from Representative Keith Truenow: “The Wildlife Corridor Act is a major first step to ensuring Florida’s ecological future. […] to emphasize the importance of this legislation, the House and Senate agreed to allocate $300 million towards this effort. I was very proud to work on this very important piece of legislation.”
Policy Actions
2013
- Florida Wildlife Corridor Resolution (June 2013): Governor Scott and his Cabinet “hereby acknowledge the vital importance of the Florida Wildlife Corridor to the ecological, cultural, and economic health of the State of Florida, as well as, recognize the important opportunity the campaign provides to support efforts to protect Florida’s wildlife, ecosystems, tourism, and agricultural landscapes.” The resolution further states “that the Governor and Cabinet recognize the significant benefits of having a continuous ecological corridor connecting the entire length of Florida for the health of wildlife, the quality of water and air, the preservation of cultural history, and the revitalization of local economies.”
2016
- Florida: Department of Transportation Wildlife Crossings Guidelines (2016; updated 2018): developed in coordination by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, described as “[…] a guide for coordination, consultation, and decision making” with the objective to “[…] evaluate the appropriateness of including wildlife crossings (upland or wetland) and associated features,” in new projects and highway retrofits. Guidelines outline considerations for agency staff, local governments, non-profits, and the public to recommend wildlife crossings and provide information about the research, evidentiary, and funding needs for their implementation.
2017
- Florida: Department of Transportation Plans Preparation Manual (January 2017): FDOT requires consideration of wildlife connectivity in new bridge design, whether for minor grade separations, small water crossings, major bridges or interchanges. Evaluation of wildlife connectivity needs begin in the initial phase of project evaluation, and “[w]ildlife connectivity features include new or modified structures; e.g. bridges, bridges with shelves, specially designed culverts, enlarged culverts or drainage culverts. Exclusionary devices such as fencing, walls or other barriers may be included to funnel wildlife to a crossing.” It includes multiple references to wildlife connectivity considerations and also refers users to the FDOT Wildlife Crossing Guidelines.
2021
- Florida Wildlife Corridor Act (July 2021): passed with unanimous support and is representative of a larger effort around the world to protect biodiversity and movement corridors. The purpose of the Act includes:
- Maintaining wildlife access to the habitats needed to allow for migration of and genetic exchange amongst regional wildlife populations;
- Preventing fragmentation of wildlife habitats;
- Protecting the headwaters of major watersheds, including the Everglades and the St. Johns River;
- Providing ecological connectivity of the lands needed for flood and sea-level rise resiliency and large-scale ecosystem functions, such as water management and prescribed burns essential for land management and restoration;
- Preserving and protecting land and waters that are not only vital to wildlife but are critical to this state’s groundwater recharge and that serve as watersheds that provide drinking water to most Floridians and help maintain the health of downstream coastal estuaries;
- Providing for wildlife crossings for the protection and safety of wildlife and the traveling public;
- Helping to sustain this state’s working ranches, farms, and forests that provide compatible wildlife habitats while sustaining rural prosperity and agricultural production.
The Act encourages “[…] state, regional and local agencies [to]include in their land-buying efforts the acquisition of sufficient legal interest in opportunity areas to ensure the continued viability of the Florida Wildlife Corridors” along with “[…] investment in conservation easements voluntarily entered into by private landowners to conserve opportunity areas.” The Act further encourages “[…] new approaches and novel financing mechanisms for long-term protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, including but not limited to public-private partnerships; payment for ecosystem services; blended financing for growth, resilience and green infrastructure; and support for the sustainable growth of agriculture.”
Related Posts
State-by-state connectivity policy guide: Utah
Utah's recent initiatives solidify the state’s status as a national leader on habitat connectivity and wildlife crossings policy, particularly for migratory animals.
State-by-state connectivity policy guide: Virginia
In 2023, Virginia finalized its Wildlife Corridor Action Plan, building on years of legislation that supported landscape connectivity in a state with high biodiversity.
State-by-state connectivity policy guide: California
California has spent over a decade demonstrating a strong commitment to connectivity across a large region characterized by diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and burgeoning urban development.
