Help plan the future of Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area

October 27, 2014

Photos available on FWC’s Flickr site: Go to https://flic.kr/s/aHsk254D8B.

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Help plan the future of Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area

 

A 10-year plan for the Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be presented at a public hearing in Santa Rosa County on Thursday, Nov. 6.

People are invited to the 7 p.m. public hearing at the Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, in Gulf Breeze.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will present the draft land management plan for the FWC-managed portions of the Escribano Point WMA, and people will be encouraged to comment and ask questions. For more information on the upcoming local public hearing, go to MyFWC.com/Conservation and select “Terrestrial Programs” then “Management Plans.”

The Escribano Point WMA includes some of the last undeveloped stretches of Gulf Coast in the county. It offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, including paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking, camping and photography.

The carnivorous white-topped pitcher plant, Florida bog frog, bald eagle and Florida black bear are among the native species living here. Wetlands in the Escribano WMA not only provide wildlife habitat but also help protect water quality in Blackwater Bay, East Bay and the Yellow River.

“Escribano Point WMA was purchased to ensure the preservation of fish and wildlife resources, other natural and cultural resources, and for fish- and wildlife-based public outdoor recreation,” said Rebecca Shelton, FWC land conservation biologist. “This draft plan will specify how we intend to do that.”

All lands purchased with public funds must have a management plan that ensures the property will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the intended purposes of the purchase.

Hunting and fishing regulations are not included in this plan or meeting; those are addressed through a separate public process.

To obtain a copy of the draft land management prospectus for Escribano Point WMA, call Julie Kilgore at 850-487-7063 or email Julie.Kilgore@MyFWC.com.

For more information and background on management plans and their goals, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation and select “Terrestrial Conservation Programs” then “Management Plans.”

For more on the Escribano WMA, go to MyFWC.com and select “Wildlife Viewing” then “Wildlife Management Areas.” Yellow River WMA – Escribano Point Parcels is under “Lead Areas.”