Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - St. Lucie County Hosts FWC Gopher Tortoise Conservation Workshop June 11

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will conduct regional workshops to present information on the management plan and permitting guidelines for gopher tortoises.
The goal of these workshops is to identify ways local governments can participate in protecting one of Florida’s threatened species. In addition, the FWC will discuss financial incentives available for local governments to help conserve gopher tortoises.

Scheduled for June 4, 5, 7 and 11 are workshops in Gilchrist, Orange, Hernando and St. Lucie counties. Representatives from neighboring counties are encouraged to attend. The workshops are free, but registration is required, as space is limited.

To register, please send your name and the name of your organization to Alexandra.Perryman@MyFWC.com.

Gilchrist County
Monday, June 4
9:30 - 11 a.m.
Otter Springs Park & Campground
6470 SW 80th Ave., Trenton, Fla. 32693

Orange County
Tuesday, June 5
9:30 a.m. – noon
Christmas Civic Association
23760 E. Colonial Drive, Christmas, Fla. 32709

Hernando County
Wednesday, June 7
9:30 a.m. – noon
Hernando County Community
Activity Center
205 East Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville, Fla. 34601

St. Lucie County
Monday, June 11
9:30 a.m. – noon
St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners Chambers
2300 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce, Fla. 34982

Workshops will be held in additional counties in upcoming weeks. For more information, including the proposed draft revisions and public comment on the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan, visit www.MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise and click on “Management Plan.” Written comments on this draft plan will be accepted until Wednesday, June 25.