Reforming Fish and Wildlife Commission
Putting Conservation Over Politics
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plays a vital role in protecting Florida’s
diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Unfortunately, the current commission is dominated by
developers, raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest and priorities that may
not reflect actual conservation values.
Commissioners should be appointed based on experience and expertise, not political
favoritism or financial influence. Appointees should include individuals with deep,
practical knowledge of Florida’s lands and resources—especially ranchers and farmers,
who have long served as responsible stewards of our natural environment.
We need to restore balance, strengthen Florida’s environmental leadership, and ensure
that the FWC’s decisions are guided by scientific expertise, public input, and a genuine
commitment to conservation. Florida’s future depends on keeping the Commission
focused on preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of our state for
generations to come.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission should be comprised of:
A rancher or farmer who owns or manages a Florida ranch or farm, on which at
least two species of animals for which game hunting is licensed under s.
379.354, Florida Statutes, are frequently present.
A farmer who owns or manages a Florida farm on which at least one major crop
has been grown each of the previous four years.
A hunter or angler who has held a Florida hunting or fishing license each of the
previous four years.
A conservationist who for the previous four years has been an employee,
member of the board, or member of an established advisory committee of a
nonprofit habitat or a wildlife conservation organization, the primary focus of
which is not game species.
A local official representing a rural county with a population under 250,000
A scientist, who is not currently an elected official, who holds at least a doctoral
degree from an accredited college or university in forestry, silviculture, forest
management, forest engineering, forest biology, forest operations, dendrology,
forest sciences, or land management.
A scientist, who is not currently an elected official, who holds at least a doctoral
degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, animal science,
food science, horticulture, soil science, agricultural engineering, dairy science,
animal breeding, animal husbandry, or aquaculture.
A person who has contributed, or whose spouse has contributed, a major donation
to any political party should not be appointed to the commission.
