FAQ

What is the goal of the FLWC PES program?

The goal of the Wildlife Corridor PES – FL program is to provide an additional tool in the land conservation toolbox that can help protect and preserve lands within critical linkages within the Florida Wildlife Corridor that are currently at a high risk of being converted to urban or residential development. The program does so by providing a financial incentive to private landowners who agree to maintain their lands in such a way as to assure the continued provision of ecosystem connectivity within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and up to two additional ecosystem services including water quality and aquifer recharge.

Why does the FWCF want to work with private landowners?

The Wildlife Corridor recognizes private landowners as crucial partners in Florida conservation efforts. Developing conservation incentives and providing outreach to private landowners are priorities of FWCF's Conservation and Connectivity Plan. This program helps to realize those objectives.

How much does a landowner get paid? And how does a landowner get paid upon enrollment?

A landowner can be paid for providing one or two ecosystem services. Payment rates will be around $30/acre/year and are established per enrolled acre and depending on ecosystem service, including habitat connectivity, aquifer recharge, and water quality, and location and condition. These payment rates will fluctuate from time to time. If interested, please contact us.

Landowners enter contracts to receive annual payments on a per-acre basis for the ecosystem services provided for a period of 10 years. They receive payment for the enrolled acreage at the time of enrollment and after each annual ecosystem services monitoring visit.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Eligibility for the Wildlife Corridor PES – FL program is based on 4 factors:

Size of Property - Large landowners and small landowners can participate, but eligibility will depend on location in Wildlife Corridor Opportunity Areas and funding availability.
Entity Type - Private landowners with agricultural working lands or other land uses that maintain land in open space within the boundaries of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Expected Ecosystem Services - The ecosystem services of focus include habitat connectivity, water quality, and aquifer recharge.
Land Use and Management - Maintaining working agricultural lands as open space and not selling lands to residential or commercial development uses.

How can landowners apply for the PES program?

Enrollment is currently closed. To stay informed about new PES Program opportunities, contact program staff at PES@floridawildlifecorridor.org.

Where is the program being offered?

The program is offered statewide to eligible lands connecting or adjacent to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. To view the current area of the Wildlife Corridor, visit floridawildlifecorridor.org/maps.

What are payments based on?

Payments will be calculated based on the quantity of ecosystem services provided on the enrollee's land as determined by FEGN spatial data metrics for each ecosystem service that is provided, multiplied by the value of the ecosystem service as determined by accepted ecosystem services values derived through a benefits transfer approach.

What are landowners responsible for during the contracted period?

Participating landowners must maintain enrolled working agricultural lands as open space and not sell lands to residential or commercial development uses. Each year, landowners schedule a time to allow FWCF personnel on site for an ecosystem services monitoring visit.

Can participating landowners apply to cost share programs, like NRCS EQIP or CSP?

Yes, there are various forms of landowner assistance that can be applied to properties already enrolled in the Wildlife Corridor PES – FL program. Landowners participating in the Wildlife Corridor PES – FL program are encouraged to explore other assistance opportunities; for example, the above-mentioned cost share programs are aligned with the goals of the Wildlife Corridor PES – FL program. Landowners who meet NRCS program requirements are encouraged to seek funding for their management practices. While cost share program payments are based on the completion of specific practices and the corresponding cost of implementation, the Wildlife Corridor PES – FL program payments are based on measures of habitat connectivity, water quality, and aquifer recharge on a property.

What if the landowner or FWCF wants to make changes to or terminate the contract?

Agreements have both an amendment and termination clause, allowing either party to amend or terminate the agreement without penalty. Payments are based on ecosystem conditions that exist at the time of enrollment/monitoring visits, so no penalty or repayment will be required if an agreement is terminated. Program participants are free to manage their land as desired. However, changes to ecosystem conditions in the enrolled area may affect subsequent scoring and payment rate. In certain cases, ecosystem changes may result in termination of the agreement with no liability for the FWCF to make future payments.

How long are the contracts?

Landowners enter contracts to receive annual payments on a per-acre basis for the ecosystem services provided for a period of 10 years. Renewal would be agreed upon by both parties.

What if a landowner sells their property?

A landowner who sells property containing enrolled acreage can terminate the contract. If interested in the program, the new landowner(s) would need to apply during the next available enrollment period.

Can the landowner continue grazing, hunting, silviculture, or other income-generating activities?

Yes, activities such as grazing, hunting, and silviculture are generally compatible with conservation goals when done following basic conservation tenets. This program is geared toward working lands, where stewardship can yield multiple benefits while also providing ecosystem services like habitat connectivity, water quality, and aquifer recharge.

What assurances can the FLWC make that the payments will be made?

Funding for the pilot Wildlife Corridor PES - FL program has been received and secured from a grant through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) Challenge Grant Program. The success of the pilot program will determine future funding from REPI and other sources that will be pursued including public and private entities. Funding a long-term PES program is a priority of Wildlife Corridor to ensure the protection of critical linkages within the Florida Wildlife Corridor on private lands.