FWC Wildlife Chief to Lead Landscape Conservation Cooperative

A science-based, partnership effort to help conservation agencies respond to climate change and other 21st century challenges received a major boost this summer with the hiring of Tim Breault, former director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

Breault's new title is Coordinator for the Peninsular Florida Landscape Conservation Cooperative. Partners in the cooperative include state and federal agencies, non-profit groups and academic institutions. Two years of funding for Breault's position is being shared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC). FWC also is providing Breault office space in Tallahassee.

FWS Southeast Regional Director Cindy Dohner said "Tim understands the value of partnerships. He also knows how to engage multiple parties with sometimes divergent priorities to create a powerful consensus. We are excited to give him the LCC baton, and stand ready to provide the support needed to succeed."

FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley said "Florida is unique and diverse, but has some complicated issues. Tim has been a tremendous asset to our state balancing the needs of people and wildlife. While the Commission is sorry to lose him, the state of Florida will continue to benefit from his abilities as he takes on this new role."

The Peninsular Florida LCC is one of 21 across the nation being initiated by the U.S. Department of Interior since 2009. The purposes are to gain efficiencies through shared knowledge; guide research to the places and topics where it can make the most difference; and give land management agencies the scientific tools they need to tackle major conservation challenges across large landscapes. The most confounding issue confronting wildlife and habitats is climate change, but the LCCs are also working on threats related to water scarcity, habitat fragmentation and invasive species.

Breault, who worked 36 years for FWC, said, "I look forward to building the LCC partnership and working with the entire conservation community in Florida."