Conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, and their habitats, in cooperation with partners, for the continuing benefit of the American people, from the Lake Wales Ridge to the Florida Keys.

The Ecological Services Division of the USFWS works to protect and restore healthy populations of fish and wildlife and the environments on which they depend. To accomplish this, the South Florida Ecological Services Field Office has these programs: Everglades Restoration, Coastal Ecology, Contaminants, Endangered Species, Habitat Conservation, and Partners for Fish and Wildlife.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Partners In The Imperiled Butterfly Working Group Conclude Two South Florida Butterflies (Zestos and Rockland Grass Skippers) Are Likely Extinct
June 10, 2013

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Following several years of comprehensive survey efforts in southern Florida, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and its partners in the Imperiled Butterflies of Florida Working Group (IBWG) believe that two butterflies, the Zestos (Epargyreus zestos oberon) and rockland grass (Hesperia meskei pinocayo) skippers, are likely extinct. These butterflies were historically found only in South Florida.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners Starting Captive Breeding Program In Race Against Time to Prevent Extinction of Florida Grasshopper Sparrows
April 18, 2013

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- In an effort to prevent extinction of the Florida grasshopper sparrow, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and many partners are establishing a captive breeding program for this species. Many believe that if current population trends continue the species could go extinct in three to five years.
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Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, Caracara Conservation Efforts Boosted By $400,000 Donation
March 7, 2013

VERO BEACH, Fla. – Two of Florida’s imperiled species--Audubon’s crested caracaras and Florida grasshopper sparrows--are getting some help in the form of a $400,000 contribution to be used for monitoring, research and other conservation activities. The voluntary donation was made by BP out of concern about existing and potential populations within the site of a proposed ethanol production facility in Highlands County.
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USFWS Posts Rare Video of Florida Panther Claw-Marking Logs
November 15, 2012

VERO BEACH, Fla. – Not too many people have seen a wild Florida panther claw-marking a log. Well, here’s their chance. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s South Florida Office has posted rare video to its web site at www.fws.gov/verobeach of a Florida panther “claw-marking" logs.

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Spending Time with the Elusive Everglade Snail Kite
by Jane Tutton, USFWS
November 8, 2012

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- There are days when U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists are reminded why we do what we do. October 11, 2012 was one of those days for me.

I’ve worked in the South Florida Ecological Services Office for almost 21 years. In that time, I’ve done some pretty cool stuff such as trapping beach mice and helping capture and band crested caracara. I even got to participate in the release of some Florida panthers.

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Service Proposes to Protect Three South Florida Plants Under the Endangered Species Act
October 10, 2012

Current evidence suggests that two wild cacti, Florida semaphore cactus and aboriginal prickly-apple, and an herb, Cape Sable thoroughwort, are in danger of becoming extinct in the foreseeable future, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. As a result, the Service is proposing to protect these species under the Endangered Species Act, and is seeking new information from the public and the scientific community that will assist the agency in making a final determination.

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Service Proposes to Protect the Florida Bonneted Bat Under the Endangered Species Act
October 3, 2012

Current evidence suggests that the Florida bonneted bat is in danger of becoming extinct in the foreseeable future, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. As a result, the Service has proposed to protect the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and is seeking new information from the public and the scientific community that will assist the agency in making a final determination.

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