Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management Assistance Funding (HMAF) Application Period is Now Open

July 20, 2020

 

For Interested Local Governments:

 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program is now offering habitat management assistance opportunities for FY 2020-21 to local governments through the Habitat Management Assistance Funding Program. To help facilitate habitat management, the FWC is requesting projects from counties and municipalities which will optimize gopher tortoise carrying capacity on protected lands through appropriate habitat management. Entities requesting assistance must submit projects that manage at least 25 acres of gopher tortoise habitat, which cannot include permitted gopher tortoise recipient sites or sites with a submitted recipient site application, and may request up to $15,000 per project.

The FWC is now also providing funding for the installation of silt fencing for the soft release of gopher tortoises at waif recipient sites. Waif gopher tortoises are those that have been moved from their habitat but are not associated with a permitted relocation activity, and the origin of the tortoise is generally unknown. Requests for financial assistance with silt fencing installation for waif recipient sites must include a scientific collecting permit application, submitted previously or concurrently with the assistance application. There is no cost to apply for a scientific collecting permit. The permit must be issued prior to receiving a reimbursement for silt fence installation, and any other management activities included in the assistance application.

Project proposals must be received by the FWC no later than Friday, August 21, 2020. For additional information regarding this program, please see the attached application. Please direct any questions to the Program Planning and Monitoring Administrator, Alex Kalfin, by email at Alex.Kalfin@MyFWC.com, or by phone at (850) 921-1145.

• Application for Habitat Assistance 2020_21.pdf