USFWS Florida Ecological Services Office

06/09/2026

Did you know that all tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises? For Wild Turtle Week, we’re highlighting the gopher tortoise, one of five North American tortoise species and the only one found east of the Mississippi River. Gopher tortoises are a keystone species, with their burrows providing shelter for commensal species such as burrowing owls, gopher frogs, and indigo snakes. You can help gopher tortoises by helping them cross roads, if it's safe for you to do so. Check out these tips to learn how to do it right: https://www.fws.gov/story/tips-helping-turtle-cross-road



Photo credit: USFWS

05/16/2026

05/08/2026

This week is Public Service Recognition Week, and would like to celebrate our dedicated team at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Florida Ecological Services Office! Every day, these public servants work with the community to help conserve, protect, and enhance our nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for the continued benefit of the American people. What we do ranges from large scale habitat management efforts to individual species recovery, and everything in between! It is our honor to serve the American people by taking initiative in protecting our natural resources for generations to come.

All photos courtesy of USFWS.

04/24/2026

Join us at the 2026 Highlands Landowner Assistance Expo!

This one-day event will connect landowners with tools and resources available to ensure working lands stay productive and thriving. The day will be filled with networking, food, and valuable agricultural connections tailored for landowners of all sizes. Explore technical assistance programs, funding and cost-share opportunities, conservation solutions for working lands, diversification strategies, Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), conservation easements, and long-term land planning.

The USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program will be available to answer your land management questions during this free event.

Coffee, light snacks, and lunch will be provided.

Register by April 27th to secure your spot!

Register here: https://www.cfrpc.org/event-details-registration/2026-landowner-assistance-expo

04/17/2026

Whether you’re looking up or looking down here in the Sunshine State, there’s something wild and wonderful to appreciate—National Crawfish Day and International Bat Appreciation Day! These underrated critters quietly keep Florida’s ecosystems thriving, so let’s give them their moment in the spotlight.

🦞 Crayfish:
Though National Crawfish Day generally celebrates the culinary aspects of crawfish, there are several federally listed species that are not for human consumption! The Panama City crayfish, Black Creek crayfish, and Miami Cave crayfish are all federally listed and all doing big work in our wetlands.
• They’re nature’s cleanup crew, breaking down decaying matter and keeping our waterways healthy.
• They help protect freshwater habitat for other native species.
• And although not the human snack type, they are a favorite treat for lots of Florida wildlife.

🦇 Bats:
Florida is home to several bat species, including the Florida bonneted bat and tricolored bat. Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly, and although some folks jokingly call them “flying rats,” they’re actually closer relatives to humans than to rodents. How cool is that?!
These nighttime ninjas help control insects, pollinate plants, and keep ecosystems balanced—all while staying out of the spotlight.

Photo credits:
Black creek crayfish: Gayle Martin
Panama City crayfish: Sam Hermann
Tricolored bat: Pete Pattavina
Bat house: Courtney Celley

03/20/2026

Happy World Sparrow Day!

Today we’re celebrating two of Florida’s rarest birds — the Cape Sable seaside sparrow and the Florida grasshopper sparrow — both federally endangered and uniquely tied to Florida's ecosystems. The US Fish and Wildlife Service works with partners to support the sparrows through habitat management, species monitoring, and restoration efforts across the state.

Even small birds play a big role in healthy ecosystems. Let’s keep working to ensure these sparrows have a future in the wild.

Photo credit for Cape Sable seaside sparrow: NPS
Photo credit for Florida grasshopper sparrow: Juan Oteyza

02/09/2026

This gray catbird was spotted in Cocoa Beach. Gray catbirds get their name from their call, which sounds like a cat meowing. These birds are also very good at mimicking other birds.
(📷: Ken Warren/USFWS)

01/25/2026

This crested caracara and bald eagle were approaching road kill on the side of a road in Kenansville, Florida. The eagle got to it first. And yes, both caracaras and bald eagles eat roadkill.
(📷: Ken Warren/USFWS)

01/13/2026

This majestic bald eagle struck a commanding pose atop a pole along Highway 192 just west of Melbourne, Fla. Bald eagles are doing well in Florida! The population grew from only 44 pairs in 1972 to over 1,500 today—per the Florida Fish&Wildlife Conservation Commission. (📷: Ken Warren/USFWS)

12/10/2025

This vibrant cardinal was spotted in Cocoa Beach. They’re year-round residents of Florida. Cardinals love dense bushes, thickets and forest edges, which are found almost everywhere in Florida—including urban and suburban areas. (📷: Ken Warren/USFWS)