Tallahassee, FL (April 30, 2019) – The nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida awarded more than $16,000 in a grant to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to remotely monitor bear activity.
The FWC conducts over 300 trapping efforts a year to reduce and resolve human-bear conflicts. Adding the most advanced motion-activated cameras available that allow for real-time photographs and videos for immediate viewing and response would reduce the amount of time bears are in traps and increase our understanding of bear activity in general. As the bear and human populations continue to grow in Florida, there is a greater need to use new ways to prevent human-bear conflicts.
Foundation President and CEO Andrew Walker said, “We are thrilled to fund new technologies to monitor wildlife. This is a win-win for the animals and FWC staff.”
Grant funding came from the “Conserve Wildlife” specialty license plate fund managed by Foundation. The Foundation has raised and given away more than $32 million to support conservation, fishing, hunting and outdoor education for children, adolescents and adults. The Foundation recently completed a contest with Ringling College of Art & Design to redesign the plate in the hopes of increasing sales, and thus increased grant funding.
About the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida
The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other public and private partners to conserve Florida’s native animals and plants and the lands and waters they need to survive. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has raised and donated more than $32 million to conservation and outdoor recreation and education. More information can be found at wildlifeflorida.org.
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