Florida Wildlife Corridor

The Florida Wildlife Corridor is a statewide network of nearly 18 million acres of connected ecosystems containing state parks, national forests, and wildlife management areas that support wildlife and human occupation. The corridor seeks to connect wildlife habitats, reducing their fragmentation and the subsequent declines in plant and animal populations caused by human activities The Florida Wildlife Corridor was conceived by Tom Hoctor, director of the University of Florida's Center for Landscape and Conservation Planning, and Carlton Ward Jr., with further inspiration partly from Lawton Chiles.

The corridor is home to 60 species at risk of extinction such as the Crested Caracara, Snail Kite, Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, Florida Scrub-Jay, Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, Whooping Crane, Wood Stork, Florida Panther, West Indian Manatee, Gulf Sturgeon, Okaloosa Darter, Sand Skink, and Eastern Indigo Snake.

Florida Wildlife Corridor Act

Florida's legislature enacted The Florida Corridor Act in June 2021 to "create incentives for conservation and sustainable development," recognizing the need to amend conservation efforts in view of a rapidly increasing human population. Of the 18 million acres of connected corridors, 9.6 million acres are safeguarded wildlife areas, along with private lands the government has acquired through conservation easements. While the remaining 46% percent still remains unprotected. The Florida government enhances the corridor by purchasing land owners' development rights across the state through a land acquisition process from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection which allows the landowners to continue operations on their land, but prevents them from developing it.

Conservation impacts

Two studies found that the use of corridors created long-lasting benefits for black bear population in the state. Researchers compared the bear population in the Ocala National Forests to the population of a fragmented residential area of Lynne, Florida surrounded by roadways. The sites were chosen based on proximity to each other and differences in fragmentation, the Ocala National Forest falling within the area of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and city of Lynne right outside it. The bear population in Lynne was found to have a far lower growth rate than that which inhabited the national forest. The study suggested that car strikes partially contributed to the low population rate. Corridors along the highway were suggested to reduce bear mortalities.

A second study, done on the Osceola-Ocala wildlife corridor, found that it increased gene flow between two populations and provided linkages needed to maintain population structure and viability.

A 2023 study also shows how wildlife corridors improve the surrounding habitats and have the collaborative effect of wetland mitigation.

Expeditions and documentary films

Some Treks and Films that showcase the Florida Wildlife Corridor:

• 2012: Everglades to Okefenokee follows the expedition of a group that traveled 1000 miles in 100 days through the Everglades to Okefenokee in early 2012. Throughout this trek, they document the importance of how connecting wildlife-dense areas is vital to conservation efforts and highlight those who are most important in making these linage areas possible.
• 2015: The Forgotten Coast documents a trek throughout the Everglades to the Seashore in 2015. The purpose of this film was to bring attention to threats to areas of corridors that are not protected, as well as press for the need for expansion for ecological importance.
• 2018: The Last Green Thread: The expedition was through the Interstate 4 highway that goes through the Headwater to the Green Swamp. The call to action for this expedition was due to the increasing population of Florida. Because of the constant use of the highway, there is an increase in human-wildlife conflict. The team wanted to show that there needs to be a link between the headwaters and swaps to keep them from becoming isolated and protect the wildlife that inhabits them.
• 2019: The Wild Divide: Throughout this 7-day trek the team of conservations traveled from Highlands Hammock State Park to the Tiger Creek Preserve. The film was made in hopes it would be used as a tool to find better solutions to connect and restore wildlife throughout Florida.
• 2021: Home Waters: This trek was through Rainbow Springs to Homosassa Bay. Trekkers observed an unprotected area of the corridor and showed the possibilities that were opened to them by the 2021 passing of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act.
• 2022: Path of the Panther: This documentary follows National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr. as he documents the endangered Florida panther and highlights protecting the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Through high-definition camera traps, the film showcases the panther’s habitat and played a role in raising awareness and influencing the passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act.

Landmarks

• The Suwannee River
• Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
• Withlacoochee State Forest
• Goethe State Forest
• St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
• Steinhatchee Conservation Area
• Apalachicola National Forest
• The Apalachicola River Basin
• The Northwest Florida Greenway
• Nokuse Plantation
• The Choctawhatchee River Water Management Area