Interview With Person from FWC

How would you define wildlife conservation?

I would define wildlife conservation as managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
 
How would you define a conservationist?

Someone who uses the best information available to care for and contribute to the stability of our fish and wildlife resources and the quality of our environment.
 
Why is wildlife conservation important?

Wildlife Conservation is important because it creates a sustainable and healthy future for Florida's fish, wildlife, water and habitat resources. Fish and wildlife activities contribute more than $36 billion and 408,860 jobs to our state’s economy annually. Those fish and wildlife activities - hunting, freshwater and saltwater fishing, fishing industries, boating, wildlife viewing - enrich the lives of Florida residents and visitors every day and serve as inspiration for getting our kids outdoors.
 
What do you think is the role of citizens in wildlife conservation?

The role of citizens in conservation is to work together as stewards of our living resources and the habitats that support them by getting the facts and understanding the implications of their activities and decisions and making conservation-minded choices.

What are things that pose as a threat to wildlife conservation?

Loss of wetlands and other native habitats to development presents the greatest threat to wildlife. Other threats are efforts to stabilize water levels; and the impacts of pollution, including introduction of non-native plants and animals, increasingly alter our environment and threaten wildlife conservation. Warmer temperatures on land and in water and changes in seasonal rainfall patterns will greatly impact Florida's wildlife communities in the coming years. Warming and altered rainfall patterns will in turn alter species distributions, life cycles and species interactions (e.g., predator-prey relationships).
 
Do you think that people are becoming more or less concerned about wildlife conservation? Based on this, what do you expect to happen pertaining to wildlife in the next ten years?

I think people are becoming more supportive of wildlife conservation. I expect our state's human population to continue to grow in the next 10 years and that rural and natural lands will continue to be converted from to urban uses.

How can people get involved in wildlife conservation?

People can get involved with conservation by:

-Working with their city and county officials on smart growth initiatives, green infrastructure planning and other innovative strategies to accommodate the needs of wildlife and protect public access to shorelines and working waterfronts.

-Incorporating wildlife habitat conservation measures on their own property and supporting prescribed burning of nearby public and private lands.

-Reducing the amount of fossil fuels they use and the carbon release into the atmosphere. Here are a few easy actions: http://myfwc.com/conservation/special-initiatives/climate-change/you/.

You can learn about more ways to get involved at: http://myfwc.com/conservation/special-initiatives/climate-change/you/ and http://myfwc.com/get-involved/.