PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release: November 16, 2016
Contact: Sean Cooley, Communications Manager, (850) 999-1030, scooley@audubon.org

Today, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) moved to establish 13 new Critical Wildlife Areas (CWAs) and expand five existing CWAs under the leadership of Chairman Brian Yablonski. CWAs create buffers to protect bird and wildlife areas from disturbance while helping Floridians and visitors preserve natural Florida. These protections are only extended to the most critical sites around the state and protect vulnerable coastal birds and wildlife. Without these safeguards, nesting birds are at risk of disturbance that results in unhatched eggs and the death of baby birds. As a direct outcome of FWC’s action today, thousands more baby birds will now be able to survive and thrive on the Sunshine State’s coasts. The establishment and expansion of these CWAs comes after several studies, extensive research, and input at public hearings.

“We applaud today’s move by Chairman Brian Yablonski and the Commission on establishing and expanding Critical Wildlife Areas in Florida,” said Julie Wraithmell, Audubon Florida Deputy Director. “Audubon Florida remains committed to encouraging people to take care of and protect the places that make Florida special.”

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