Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
MEDIA RELEASE
December 17, 2018 1:00 a.m.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today approved Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for nine of the more than 50 species in the agency’s Imperiled Species Management Plan. The Florida bog frog, crystal darter, Sherman’s short-tailed shrew, Georgia blind salamander, Southern tessellated darter and four species of wading birds including the little blue heron, tricolored heron, reddish egret and roseate spoonbill will benefit from the new species guidelines.
Background:
Species guidelines are designed to be a tool for landowners, consultants, agency partners and other interested parties on how to conserve these species. The guidelines offer options for avoidance, minimization and mitigation of take for the nine state-designated Threatened species. They provide species-specific information on key issues relevant to real-world conservation, including:
- Essential behavioral patterns.
- Survey methods.
- Recommended conservation practices.
- Exemptions or authorizations for take.
- Coordination with other regulatory programs.
- Permitting options.
For an overview of how Florida conserves imperiled species, go to MyFWC.com/Imperiled.
Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 14, 2018 – North Florida Land Trust has turned over ownership of the 1898 Spanish American War Fort to the National Park Service. The two organizations came together today to make the transfer of ownership official. Rainy weather moved the event from the military battery to the National Park Service’s Jacksonville headquarters.
North Florida Land Trust and the National Park Service invited special guests to join them for a ceremony to mark the occasion. Lake Ray IV presented an antique post flag to NFLT President Jim McCarthy who then presented it to NPS Superintendent Chris Hughes. The flag had 45 stars which was the official United States flag between 1896 and 1908 and would have been the type that flew over the 1898 Spanish American War Fort. Susan Edelman of the Community Foundation was also there to represent the Delores Barr Weaver Fund which was instrumental in funding 
The City of Fernandina, in cooperation and collaboration with the Florida Public Archaeology Network’s Northeast Region and a recently formed volunteer-based organization known as the Friends of Bosque Bello are united in their interest and dedication to preserving Fernandina Beach’s historic Bosque Bello Cemetery.
