The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has recognized the outstanding wildlife habitat management efforts of private landowner Jake English of Pasco County, according to a news release.
The honor is part of the Wildlife Habitat Recognition Program, which pays tribute to exemplary landowners by giving them a sign to display on their property, as well as a certificate to recognize their habitat conservation efforts.
English began working with the FWC in January 2020 to create a management plan for his 30-acre property, Drexel Farms, where he implements a variety of practices to benefit game and imperiled species, as well as other wildlife species on his property. These beneficial practices include prescribed fire, brush management and invasive plant control to improve the food, shelter and water available to wildlife on the property, the release said.
More than 70% of land in Florida is privately owned, while more than half of all threatened and endangered species in the United States depend on privately owned land to thrive. These private lands play a critical role in wildlife conservation.
Without private landowner efforts, countless plant and animal species would be at risk of significant population declines, which could result in them becoming listed on state or federal threatened and endangered species lists, according to FWC.
“We are impressed by the hard work Mr. English has put into his property,” said Luis Gonzalez, FWC’s southwest regional landowner assistance program coordinator, in the release.
“His management practices have provided tremendous habitat improvement for local fauna. We hope his efforts can serve as an example for all other private homeowners in Florida to follow,” Gonzalez said.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/LAP and click on “Landowner Recognition Programs,” and to find help and resources for managing wildlife on property, click on “Wildlife and Habitat Assistance.”
Published September 06, 2023
