August 19-20 Orlando Transportation Summit Defend Florida's Wildlife

 

		Help Protect Our Florida Wildlife Speak out at the Florida Department of Transportation Summit next week!  Your voice is crucial to the future of imperiled wildlife across the state. Forward this message to friends across Florida! Dear Andrew Each year across the state, thousands of endangered panthers, turtles, key deer, and black bears are killed due to traffic accidents. Many of these species are struggling to survive and are being killed while simply searching for food or habitat. You can do something about it. Next Thursday and Friday the Florida Department of Transportation will be holding a statewide transportation summit in Orlando. RSVP now to stand up with Defenders and support wildlife! At the summit, the Department of Transportation will be giving the public an opportunity to speak up about the future of transportation in Florida. It is vital that wildlife supporters attend to make sure all highway projects are investing in protecting our native panthers, turtles, deer, and bears. On Thursday, the session will discuss a long range transportation plan and Friday will open discussions about the current strategic transportation plan in Florida. Currently there are only 120 panthers estimated to be left in Florida. And over the last 5 years, 60% of panther deaths have been due to traffic accidents! Road-kill is also the number one source of mortality for the state threatened Florida black bears, which are considered threatened under Florida law. In 2009, 118 bears were killed in collisions with vehicles. Even more shocking, US 27 through Lake Jackson in Leon County has been reported as having the highest turtle mortality rates in the world! Crossing structures are vital to the future of countless species across Florida. Florida needs an increase in measures to protect our native species, as well as the means to protect the natural habitats that these species call home. What: Defenders Supporters at the Florida Department of Transportation Summit When: Thursday, August 19th 1:00pm-6:00pm Friday, August 20th 9:00am-3:00pm Where: Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport 9300 International Blvd. Orlando, FL Join me in speaking up to ensure that panthers, Florida black bears and turtles continue to be a part of the Florida landscape for generations to come. RSVP Now. The Florida Department of Transportation needs to hear from wildlife supporters across the state as they develop their new plans. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to influence the future of our state, and the future of our native panthers, turtles, deer, and black bears. I hope you can join me in Orlando next Thursday and Friday! See you there, Elizabeth Fleming Florida Representative Defenders of Wildlife
		© Copyright 2010 Defenders of Wildlife. Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. Defenders of Wildlife can be contacted at: 1130 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036