The South Florida Water Management District announced in December that they would provide seed funding for the conservation breeding of the critically endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.

The Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow was listed as endangered in 1967. It relies on marl prairie habitat, and is non-migratory with an extremely limited range in South Florida. Because the birds require drier conditions for nesting season from February through August, chronic high-water conditions, especially within the last year, have been disastrous for their population numbers. 

A conservation breeding initiative will help ensure continued survival and resilience of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow population and aid in translocation programs if the birds need to move to higher ground. These efforts have proven successful with Florida Grasshopper Sparrows farther north (they just released the 1,000th sparrow this year!).

“This initiative marks a significant step forward in safeguarding the species. Its survival is critical to preserving the biodiversity of the Everglades. This funding underscores the District’s commitment to innovative conservation strategies to protect and restore this iconic bird’s dwindling population.” — Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director, Audubon Florida

First published in the Fall 2024 State of the Everglades report.