Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 21, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott is asking the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to create a ‘Florida Center for Red Tide Research’ to study the causes of red tide and research ways to mitigate its effects. In a letter to FWC on Thursday, Scott praised ongoing efforts to study the K. Brevis bacteria and its resulting red tide blooms but […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 19, 2018

Red-tide-to-blame-as-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dead-fish-wash-up-on-Pinellas-beaches.jpg

What can help with Florida’s nagging red tide problem? One possible solution: clay. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is teaming up with red tide experts to explore opportunities to reduce the effects of the ongoing K. Brevis bacteria bloom responsible for massive fish kills along Florida’s Gulf Coast, including Pinellas County. Gov. Rick Scott […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 18, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott is putting another $4 million toward red tide funding for local communities impacted by the outbreak. The Tuesday announcement brings the total Florida Department of Environmental Protection funding available so far to $13 million. Red tide has been spreading north along Florida’s Gulf Coast for much of the late summer. It’s plagued Pinellas […]

Drew WilsonApril 21, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced this week that the recreational red snapper season in Gulf waters would be upped to 40 days. “Florida is a premier fishing destination and saltwater fishing in the Gulf of Mexico has a $7.6 billion economic impact in our state every year. Adding […]

Phil AmmannMarch 31, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill this week aimed at eradicating invasive species, such as the rightly maligned Burmese python, from wreaking havoc in Sunshine State ecosystems. SB 168 creates a pilot program within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) allowing them to hire private contractors to capture or kill any of a […]

Scott PowersFebruary 26, 2018

With little opposition raised — except for Democrats’ votes against three recent appointments to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee recommended Monday that the chamber back all 89 appointments and nominations awaiting confirmation. The committee’s favorable recommendations include Florida Secretary of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein, Florida Fish and […]

Staff ReportsDecember 7, 2017

Eric Sutton, assistant executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), will move up to executive director of the agency, effective Friday. The commission announced the move Thursday. Nick Wiley, the current executive director, retires later this month. In a press release, commissioners touted Sutton’s extensive experience with challenging conservation issues and his positive […]

Staff ReportsDecember 1, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott late Friday announced the appointment of Sonya Rood and Gary Nicklaus to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Rood, 53, of St. Augustine, succeeds Aliese “Liesa” Priddy and is appointed for a term ending Jan. 2, 2022. Nicklaus, 48, of Jupiter, succeeds Ronald Bergeron and is appointed for a term ending Aug. 1, […]

Staff ReportsNovember 6, 2017

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chair Brian Yablonski is leaving Florida to become executive director of the Property and Environment Research Center based in Bozeman, Montana. Founded in 1980, PERC is a national conservation research institute that focuses on entrepreneurship and market-based solutions to environmental problems. Yablonski replaces Reed Watson, who is leaving […]

Staff ReportsAugust 28, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Monday said he’s sending more Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and resources to Houston to help Houston after its soaking by Hurricane Harvey. “These officers and resources will be assisting with ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts,” a press release said. “Gov. Scott spoke with Texas […]

Tag: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
For lawmakers, getting to Tallahassee will be a little easier in 2025.

Rick Scott asks for special center to combat red tide

Florida to consider clay as a fix for red tide woes

State red tide funding soars to $13 million

State extends red snapper season in the Gulf

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Python purge

All nominations clear Senate Ethics and Elections Committee

Personnel note: Eric Sutton tapped as new FWC director

Two new appointees join FWC

FWC chair Brian Yablonski to join Montana-based environmental think tank

Rick Scott sends more help to Texas