In October 2010, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced a new classification rule for the state's imperiled species and would be reviewing each species on that list. This review will determine whether species will remain on the new State Threatened list or be reclassified.

On November 17th, the Commission released their preliminary review findings of the species currently listed as state endangered, threatened or species of special concern (SSC) in Florida.

Audubon was gratified to see that the majority of the birds currently on the list—even those previously listed as SSC—cleared the bar to be classed now as state Threatened…even species like Burrowing Owl, Least Tern, Tricolored Heron and Little Blue Heron that some suggested were likely contenders for demotion. Only four birds—Limpkin, Brown Pelican, Snowy Egret, and White Ibis—were identified as warranting delisting.

These initial biological status reviews (BSRs) still require peer review and Audubon will be closely evaluating the BSRs on these four species. Additionally, we will be active on the stakeholder groups creating management plans for all of these species, including those that will be coming off Florida’s Threatened species list.

Check back to Audubon of Florida News often for updates and news on this review process.