Terrestrial Habitat Integrity

Goal: Improve and maintain the quality of upland habitats for the benefit of Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Objective: Apply fire-related management on at least 150,000 acres of priority upland habitat.

Description: After habitat conversion, lack of appropriate fire management is the biggest threat to Florida's upland habitats. Changes in vegetation structure and composition occur where fire frequency, seasonal timing, intensity, and extent are altered. FWC will leverage SWG resources to work with public and private landowners to increase the amount Florida's pyric uplands that are managed by fire at frequencies, seasons, and intensities that sustain natural ecosystems. We will also support restoration activities that are necessary for returning fire to upland systems, and land management projects that focus on invasive species detection and removal, as well as hardwood reduction.