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 The Commission is meeting this week, Wednesday and Thursday, July 19-20, in St. Petersburg. View the full July 19-20 agenda and links to background reports. Those who are not attending can follow coverage at Twitter.com/MyFWC (@MyFWC) or view live video coverage at TheFloridaChannel.org.
 On Thursday, July 6, the FWC and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services hosted a public meeting in Bonifay following confirmation of a positive test for chronic wasting disease in a white-tailed deer in Holmes County. The meeting included presentations from Dr. Mark Cunningham, Diagnostic Veterinarian Manager at FWRI, and Cory Morea, Deer Management Program Coordinator at HGM, about CWD and the FWC’s response plan. After the presentations, 400 area residents were given an opportunity to ask questions about CWD and CWD management strategies to a panel of experts from both FWC and FDACS.
The FWC and its agency partners take CWD very seriously and have implemented a comprehensive response plan. As part of the plan, the FWC will collect samples from specific established zones to further assess any spread of the disease. The results from this initial sampling effort will inform resource managers so they can respond with appropriate management strategies.
The FWC has increased CWD monitoring and surveillance in the area and FDACS is prioritizing CWD testing from all samples collected from the tri-county area.
The FWC is asking anyone who sees a sick, abnormally thin deer or finds a deer dead from unknown causes to call the CWD hotline, 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282) and report the animal’s location. For more information about CWD and the FWC’s management strategies, visit MyFWC.com/CWD.
 Wonder No More!
Armed with snorkels and a dream to conserve Florida’s mussels, our biologists take to the water to survey for mussels by searching visually and/or tactilely by “grubbing” in the river’s substrate (while they also keep an eye out for any larger critters that might be lurking below!). Once back on land, the collected mussels are identified and the number of each species found at the site is recorded. They then take a subset of each species that is measured and check for brooding larval mussels, providing the team with insight into the reproductive timing of Florida’s native mussels. Once they've have gotten all the data they need, the mussels are safely returned to the collection site, our biologists return to their home labs, and the journey continues!
From the western Panhandle to south of Lake Okeechobee, mussel biologists (or more fancily: malacologists) from our Freshwater Mussel Conservation Program monitor Florida’s 61 mussel species. Mussels provide many important ecosystem services, such as water filtration and bank stabilization, but the majority of North America’s freshwater mussels are considered imperiled. Learn more about Florida’s native freshwater mussels and our research on them.
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 The gopher frog (Rana capito) occurs in the southeastern coastal plain of the U.S. from southern Alabama to North Carolina, with the largest portion of the global range being the state of Florida. Historically, populations occurred throughout Florida, except for the Everglades, but populations have declined throughout much of the species’ range.
To study the status and distribution of the gopher frog and determine its current occurrence in Florida, researchers conducted an extensive dipnet survey of 1,330 potential breeding ponds on 113 conservation lands in 44 counties and 23 ponds on private lands in 12 counties. In addition, the team compared recent and historical records to determine distributional trends and developed a Maxent potential habitat model to gain a better picture of its possible distribution in unsurveyed areas. Combining historical and recent records, gopher frogs have been reported from 109 conservation lands and 488 ponds, and populations are presumably existing on 80 conservation lands.
This research was conducted by Kevin Enge, Anna Farmer, Brittany Bankovich, Aubrey Greene and Matthew Felder.
FWC relies on peer-reviewed science for its management; to access this full publication: https://bit.ly/3CNMZCr
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 Beach photo by Marietta Anthony
Recently, we received a report from a person who observed a white material washed ashore on a Pinellas County beach. The culprit: Syringodium filiforme, also known as manatee grass.
Manatee grass is a type of seagrass characterized by its cylindrical leaves, which have a remarkable buoyancy when detached from the roots and rhizomes of the plant. Once separated, the leaves floated to the surface where they were bleached over time by the intense tropical and subtropical sun – causing the white appearance.
Our researchers further confirmed the identification by comparing a sample of the bleached material to a sample of healthy manatee grass, which can be seen in the image below.
 Capt. Bontrager, Southwest Region, and K-9 Officer Livingston recently coordinated an intensive Search and Rescue training exercise. This comprehensive training not only prepared the team for ground operations but also incorporated the utilization of air medical, specifically helicopter medical evacuation service.
This reality-based training was designed to simulate real-world scenarios that FWC officers could encounter, ensuring they are well-prepared to respond effectively and efficiently when the public needs them most. The training extended to the setup of landing zones for the safe arrival and departure of medical evacuation helicopters, crucial in scenarios where rapid medical intervention is required.
 The training scenario involved a solo hunter who was injured and lost in the woods, a situation that required the coordinated efforts of multiple FWC resources. Field officers, K-9 units and sUAS (small unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones) were all deployed as part of the exercise. In addition, the incorporation of the helicopter evacuation protocol presented an even more realistic and complex emergency scenario. These assets are crucial in such situations, providing the ability to cover large areas quickly, access difficult terrain and locate individuals who may be hidden or incapacitated.
The inclusion of air medical evacuation training is an extension of the FWC's commitment to ensuring its personnel are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to emergencies effectively. This training not only involved the use of advanced technology like sUAS and helicopters but also emphasized the importance of first-aid skills. Officers were given the opportunity to refresh their knowledge and practice their skills in a controlled environment, reinforcing their ability to provide critical assistance in real-world situations.
Through such rigorous and comprehensive training exercises, incorporating both ground and air assets, the FWC continues to demonstrate its dedication to public safety and its commitment to being there for the public when they need it most. The agency's investment in advanced technology, combined with its focus on continual skills development, ensures that FWC officers are always ready to respond to emergencies, no matter the circumstances.
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 FWC Photo by Karen Parker
American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Florida have increased in abundance from historically low numbers and currently number more than 4,000 across seven subpopulations. To monitor the range and distribution of black bears and track population recovery, our researchers used 12 sources of occurrence data collected by wildlife professionals and the public to estimate an historical (2001 – 2010) and contemporary (2011-2020) geographical range.
Our researchers developed models at two levels: a generalized boundary to determine overall range extent and a more detailed delineation to identify the occupied range. The results indicated that between modeling periods, the range extent increased by 13.4% and the occupied range increased by 11.3%, with both range levels expanding in many areas and contracting in only a few small areas, suggesting better connectivity between different subpopulations of bears.
Additionally, researchers created a range map (below) based on contemporary data that categorizes the state into four levels based on bear use: frequent, common, occasional and rare occurrence. By providing a visual representation of bear usage levels, this map can help guide targeted research, management and conservation efforts that promote the well-being of Florida’s black bears.
FWC relies on peer-reviewed science for its management; access this full publication.
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Working with partners to advance conservation at the landscape scale
 Our state’s natural landscapes are facing ever-increasing challenges — including habitat loss, climate change and invasive species. To address these challenges, we are boldly moving forward with partners across the state and beyond to ensure our natural resources are conserved for generations to come.
 The FWC’s first-ever Landscape Conservation Summit was a big success, having brought together close to 200 people, representing over 60 organizations including state, city, county, federal, non-governmental, business and non-profit organizations, as well as private landowners. We brought this diverse group of partners together to connect, collaborate and ultimately conserve the landscapes and habitats that protect our water, clean the air, and provide a haven for our native fish, wildlife and plants.
 While this was the FWC’s first Landscape Conservation Summit, we’ve been working with other conservation-based partner organizations, agencies and businesses doing great landscape-scale work for decades. The Summit marks an expansion of our partnerships to maximize conservation efforts that will address the complex issues we face now and into the future as Florida evolves and grows.
Landscape conservation is a highly collaborative practice working on a larger scale to connect and protect landscapes comprised of critical habitat and ecosystems for fish, wildlife and people — across public and private lands, regardless of boundaries. Connection and collaboration are critical to conserving the places that are meaningful to each of us while also conserving fish, wildlife and Florida’s diverse landscapes. By working together, we can accomplish far more than we could individually.
 What does success look like for landscape conservation in Florida? Conservation wins that are community-supported, regionally significant and enduring for future generations. Success also means thriving habitats for fish, wildlife and plants; clean air and water; productive landscapes that support sustainable farming, ranching, forestry, fisheries, tourism and recreation.
FWC staff interested in learning more can connect with a team member from our Landscape Conservation Strategic Initiative or check out our SharePoint page: Landscape Conservation Strategic Initiative (sharepoint.com). Do you know of organizations, businesses, private landowners or other stakeholders interested in joining the conversation about landscape conservation? We have more information for external partners on our website.
 A short time ago, in a seagrass bed not too far, far away…
Scientists from the Gulf Shellfish Institute soaked 384 live hard clams in a tub of stain. Once stained, scientists tethered four clams to each of 96 stakes with monofilament line and set off to Sarasota Bay. They donned their SCUBA gear and steadily sank to the plots of seagrasses and clams hidden beneath the carpet of drift algae covering the sediment surface. As the shellfish crew worked at hammering the clam tethers into place at each of 24 seagrass-hard clam plots, scientists from FWRI and Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration began the first round of seagrass monitoring at the 24 seagrass and 24 seagrass/hard clam plots.
Seagrasses make an ideal nursery habitat for juvenile and small fishes, as well as invertebrates (like crustaceans and shellfish), who find shelter from predators among the leaves. So, do clams benefit from seagrass? These tethered stained clams will allow researchers to assess their growth and survival at low, medium and high levels of seagrass abundance. In addition, repeated seagrass monitoring of these plots will help researchers determine how clam presence/absence affects seagrass abundance and sediment characteristics over time.
On to the next adventure! The Seagrass-Shellfish Saga continues… Part IV up next.
Missed Part Two? Read more about this project.
  
 On June 29, Ben Hines traveled to Jacksonville to conduct a Freshwater Fishing Instructor Clinic for staff and volunteers with Vision for Excellence. This summer camp’s mission is “to provide young people with educational resources, interaction with positive role models, self-esteem enhancing activities and community building opportunities that will result in good decision-making skills and a desire to produce positive contributions to the community.” Four staff, including Program Coordinator Sheila Heath, attended the training and have already begun using FYCCN’s and FWC’s fishing resources to incorporate ethical angling into their summer camp activities with campers at McGirts Creek Park and community center. The FYCCN partnership model supports conservation-based outreach via training and equipment to under-represented groups. This gives more youth the opportunity for new habits and experiences in the outdoors than they might normally experience. In the activity pictured, counselors were taught using backyard bass to introduce kids to fishing.
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A Roadway Roost of Bats
The City of Jacksonville road repair experts discovered a bat colony underneath a heavily-used commercial truck roadway. Photographs of the bats were sent to Wildlife Assistant Biologist Sarah Helm, who suspected it was a maternity colony. Maternity colonies contain adult female bats and their flightless, nursing young. Since it is the middle of bat maternity season, and they are a protected species in Florida, Sarah contacted additional FWC staff to assist.
A site visit was coordinated between the City of Jacksonville road repair experts, Mammal Taxa Coordinator Terry Doonan and Assistant Regional Biologist Jen Eells. After an above-ground inspection, Terry and Jen went inside the storm drain for further assessment. Terry confirmed they were zoutheastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius) bats and a colony of over 200, an important roost for the area. After Terry and Jen returned from the storm drain and determined it could be entered without a major disturbance to the bats, a road crew member was able to descend and assess the needed repairs.
The crew found they could repair the utility hole cover leak causing the collapse, reducing the overall repair time and significantly less disturbance to the maternity colony.
“I appreciated the help I received from everyone and the city’s receptiveness to finding a solution with minimal impact on the colony,” said Sarah Helm. “Terry, Jen and the City of Jacksonville employees were passionate about keeping the roadways safe and functional, and helping the wildlife.”
All bats in Florida are insectivores. They eat a lot of moths, flies, beetles, ants, mosquitoes and more. Bats play an essential role worldwide in pest control, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. Fun Fact: Recent studies estimate that bats eat enough pests to save more than $1 billion per year in crop damage and pesticide costs in the United States corn industry alone. For more about bats. Read more about Living with bats.
 More than 400 north Florida residents attend public meeting to discuss chronic wasting disease
Check it off your summer bucket list and become a Florida Friendly Angler today!
FWC removes nearly 100 impaired operators during Operation Dry Water and the Fourth of July holiday
The FWC celebrates Florida waterbodies listed in Bassmaster's “Top 10 Best Bass Lakes of 2023”
Help ensure Florida’s manatees and sea turtles have access to clean and healthy habitats with new decals from the FWC
Red tide video series continues with “Seafood Safety”
FWC seeking help from the public for information regarding a vessel strike in Homosassa
FWC to meet July 19 and 20 in St. Petersburg
Help shorebirds and sea turtles when at the shore
  After 25 years of service, Sam Cohl has officially received his retirement badge from FWC. Enjoy retirement, Sammy! You will be missed.
 Citizens and FWC customers were so impressed by the following employees, they told us about it through email on the "Praise an Employee" page of MyFWC.com/Contact. When your coworkers receive kudos, help share the good news by contacting Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
Stephanie Jones, HSC Stephanie has done a great job diving headfirst into challenging issues within the Tampa Bay area and coordinating effectively and clearly with the USFWS staff that assist with Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations within this area.
Officer William Teal Me and my finance were riding some trails off the Richloam area. We rode down a pretty bad area that was wet and we got stuck in the middle of nowhere, not knowing our location or whereabouts. Officer Teal is an outstanding human being. He’s courageous, he walked a half mile on foot back to where we were, through heavy water and mud, and found us. This employee is a blessing. He’s an amazing human being. Thank you for your service Officer Teal. We appreciate you greatly and your knowledge.
Our staff make a difference in people's lives that they remember for years...
Officer Rama I'd say close to 20 years ago a man came looking for my father. I believe it was the day after Christmas. His name was Rama and he came looking for us to tell us my grandfather was in a serious car accident. He probably walked five miles in to where we were deep in gulf hammock to a place few have ever been (we call it the blue line). He was ate up by sand gnats and mosquito bites and muddy as heck. I give him a few cold bottles of water and a ride back to his truck. When we got to his truck a few of his friends were there searching for him. I guess he had been gone too long. We always wanted to tell him thank you because he definitely didn't have to do what he did for us.
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FWC employees have some of the most interesting jobs ever! Here are some of our employees doing what they do best. Send your photos of FWC employees in the office and in the field to Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
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 In May of 2022, FWC biologists out of FWRI’s Southwest Field Lab in Charlotte County rescued two manatees with some help from FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. Sr. Capt. Carpenter was present and assisted with the rescue efforts. An adult female manatee was rescued due to watercraft related injuries. At the time, she had a physically dependent calf, so both were rescued and transported to Sea World for rehabilitation. Over one year later on June 22, a team consisting of FWC biologists, FWC law enforcement, and SeaWorld marine mammal care staff and veterinarian, released the manatees back into the wild at Koreshan State Park in Estero, near where they were originally rescued. The successful rescue and release of distressed manatees is a team effort and it is protocol to bring together all the folks that contributed to the success, which includes people that reported the manatees, FWC biologists, law enforcement, and the animal care teams from the rehab facilities.
 Southwest Region’s Lt. Steve Stasko and Officer Specialist Kelly Zenoniani responded to a call to assist an injured green sea turtle missing its rear flippers, found in Punta Gorda, Charlotte County. The turtle was still alive but displayed extreme difficulty swimming. Lt. Stasko and Officer Zenoniani managed to safely capture the turtle with the use of a large dip net and brought it to shore. It was then transported by an FWC biologist to Mote Marine for treatment and rehabilitation.
 In recognition of 2023’s Operation Dry Water, Southwest Regional Public Information Coordinator Hailee Seely, PIO Forest Rothchild and PIO Adam Brown hosted a media event in Cape Coral, Lee County. They were joined by Senior Officer Brad Bell and K-9 Officer Valerie Garcia to discuss the importance of sober vessel operation going into the busy holiday weekend. Operation Dry Water is a year-round Boating Under the Influence awareness campaign that facilitates a national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol- and drug-related boating incidents and fatalities. This year, Operation Dry Water weekend took place July 1-3. The FWC has been involved with the campaign since its inception in 2009 and this year continued to play a vital role in protecting lives, promoting safe boating practices, ensuring legal compliance and fostering a culture of responsible behavior on the water.
 IMG 0501 & 14
The City of Ocala Parks and Recreation is an FYCCN partner and asked Northeast Regional Coordinator, Stacey Lamborn, to participate in their program “Reading with a Ranger.” Over 30 kids and family members gathered at a city park to hear Stacey and partner representatives read from nature-based books. The City Park Ranger finished up the program with a surprise presentation using FYCCN’s Florida Black Bear education kit, which gives kids the opportunity to learn with hands-on materials and grow their interest in Florida wildlife.
 FWC officers in the Southwest Region are proud to have joined and assisted at the ninth annual Fishing with Grady Judd event. This community engagement initiative, led by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, is a testament to the strong partnerships between local law enforcement agencies and the FWC. It's an event that not only fosters community spirit but also promotes responsible fishing practices and conservation awareness among the participants.
FWC officers, alongside Sheriff Grady Judd and other local law enforcement personnel, provided guidance and support to the attendees, many of whom were young budding anglers. The officers shared their knowledge and expertise on fishing techniques, safety and the importance of respecting Florida's freshwater ecosystems. FFM was instrumental in this event, providing resources and educational materials to help participants better understand the state's diverse freshwater habitats and the species that inhabit them.
LE also played a crucial role in ensuring the event was safe and enjoyable for all. Officers were on hand to enforce fishing regulations, ensuring that all activities were conducted in a manner that respects the state's fishing laws and conservation efforts.
The Fishing with Grady Judd event is a shining example of how the FWC, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, can engage with the community in a meaningful and impactful way. It underscores the FWC's commitment to fostering a sense of stewardship for Florida's natural resources among its residents, while also strengthening partnerships with other agencies. This event is a testament to the power of community engagement in promoting conservation, responsible fishing practices, and the shared enjoyment of Florida's remarkable freshwater resources.
 The FWC Southwest Region is hosting an exceptional training program for its local officers, focusing on the intricacies of commercial fishing. This two-day intensive class is designed to equip officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and protect Florida's diverse marine resources.
The training covers a wide range of topics, including the various species found in Florida's waters, licensing requirements, size and bag limits, and specific regulations for each species. From Atlantic croaker to flounder, the officers are educated about the unique characteristics and regulations of each species to ensure they can effectively enforce fishing laws and regulations.
The course also delves into the specifics of commercial fishing licenses, detailing the requirements for Saltwater Products Licenses, Restricted Species endorsements and other necessary permits. Officers are trained to understand the nuances of these licenses, such as the different limits and seasons for each species, and the specific gear allowed for their capture.
This comprehensive training program underscores the FWC's commitment to preserving Florida's marine resources. By equipping its officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to enforce commercial fishing regulations effectively, the FWC is taking a proactive approach to conservation, ensuring the sustainability of Florida's marine life for future generations.
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The deadline for the August 7 issue is July 31
(With five Mondays in a month, the FWC Update publishes on the fifth Monday and Inside Job continues to publish on the first and third Mondays.)
The Inside Job is a bi-monthly newsletter featuring
the employees and programs of the FWC.
Send your submissions, comments and questions to Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
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