Gopher tortoise conservation workshop coming to Okaloosa

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – A gopher tortoise conservation workshop will be held in Okaloosa County on April 11.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding regional workshops to present information on opportunities for local governments to help conserve gopher tortoises and other state-listed species in Florida.

A workshop hosted by Okaloosa County is scheduled for April 11, 9 a.m., at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. Representatives from local governments in nearby counties are encouraged to attend.

According to the FWC, the goal of the workshops is to encourage participation in gopher tortoise conservation at the local level by providing information that could assist participants with establishing local gopher tortoise protection policies. Additionally, the FWC will discuss how local policies could assist in conserving other state-listed species and provide information on financial incentives available to local governments for habitat management.

“The purpose of this regional workshop is to encourage local governments to be our partners in conservation for gopher tortoises, a threatened species whose burrows provide shelter to hundreds of other native species, and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need,” said Amanda Mills, local government coordinator for the FWC’s Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section.

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center is at 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway S.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.

The workshop is free, but registration is required as space is limited. Register for the workshop here.

For more information, visit Gopher Tortoise Management Plan.