FWC honors Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration programs' 75th anniversary, successes

6/28/2012

FWC honors Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration programs' 75th anniversary, successes



The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at its meeting Thursday,
June 28, in Palm Beach Gardens adopted a resolution honoring the Wildlife and Sport
Fish Restoration programs for the 75th anniversary of the conservation effort so
successful that it has helped all kinds of wildlife and habitats in Florida and
nationwide.

Florida has been particularly lucky in this regard.

"People cared so much about fish and wildlife resources that they came up with this
system for contributing to conservation," said Commissioner Brian Yablonski. "This
doesn't happen in modern times, and it is our obligation to honor and maintain the
trust that hunters and anglers have put in state wildlife management."

The FWC uses the money to fund various projects - from habitat and species
restoration on land and underwater, to species research, species management, boater
and hunter education, resource access (such as boat ramps) and land acquisition.

Specifically, the funds the FWC received enabled it to purchase most of the land for
the:

§ Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Charlotte County.
Its 65,758 acres contain one of the last undeveloped expanses of wet pine flatwoods
in southwest Florida.

§ J.W. Corbett WMA in Palm Beach County. The FWC bought 56,400 of the WMA's 61,366
acres with the funds. The land provides habitat for many types of wildlife besides
deer, small game and feral hogs.

WSFR funds may be used to teach people how to be ethical anglers and hunters, repair
waterway markers or stock a water body with fish.

The 1937 federal program, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and
operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is a sustainable partnership with
customers of wildlife-related activities and related manufacturers, businesses and
wildlife/environmental agencies and organizations. It is self-perpetuating because
it keeps money flowing from one segment of society to another, forming a circle of
protection around wildlife - a prized natural resource.

When people buy a license, tackle and all the equipment needed to hunt, fish or just
watch and maybe photograph birds and other animals, they generate the funds that
federal law requires be set aside for the preservation of wildlife. Marksmen,
boaters and consumers of everything from binoculars to fuel contribute via user
fees.

After people and businesses make these wildlife-related purchases, manufacturers and
retailers pay excise taxes and custom duties on the supplies they sell to this
diverse group of users.

Businesses benefit from sales to consumers interested in utilizing the natural
resources protected by the federal program. Users benefit by having more resources
to enjoy. Wildlife species benefit by having a productive habitat, plans in place to
protect them and a chance to survive the challenges of habitat changes.

To celebrate the diamond anniversary of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, the FWC
throughout the year will recognize at clinics and boat shows some of the benefits
reaped for wildlife and for those who love nature in Florida.

This year's 75th anniversary celebration will culminate nationwide with National
Hunting and Fishing Day in September.