Earlier this month, Florida took a significant step towards preserving its natural heritage by signing Senate Bill 1638 into law. This new legislation allocates $100 million from the revenue of the Seminole Gaming Compact to the Florida Wildlife Corridor for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Notably, the bill earmarks up to 26.042% of this amount—or $100 million—specifically to support the corridor.
The Florida Wildlife Corridor, established in 2021, spans nearly 18 million acres, including 10 million acres of protected conservation lands such as state parks, state forests, and family-owned farms.
Additionally, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been instructed to enhance its efforts in developing wildlife crossings along state roadways. These improvements are crucial for ensuring the safe movement of native species, including the Florida Panther, across the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Since 2019, Florida has committed over $219 million to the construction of wildlife crossings, enabling the FDOT to build 38 different crossings throughout the state. These crossings play a vital role in preserving Florida’s diverse ecosystems and supporting the connectivity of wildlife habitats.