The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites you to attend the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area (Babcock/Webb WMA) 10-year Land Management Plan public hearing on Wednesday, March 27. The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at Schandler Hall Park, 419 Florence Ave, in Fort Myers.

The Babcock/Webb WMA encompasses approximately 83,832 acres in Charlotte and Lee counties and, along with the adjacent Babcock Ranch Preserve, conserves the largest and highest quality native slash pine forest remaining in south Florida. Its flatwoods, marshes and prairies provide important habitat for wildlife, such as gopher tortoises, red-cockaded woodpeckers and Florida bonneted bats. The Babcock/Webb WMA is one of Florida’s oldest and largest publicly owned wildlife management areas and offers many opportunities for public recreation, including shooting, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, bird watching, hiking, biking, primitive camping and horseback riding.

“The Babcock/Webb WMA was purchased to ensure the preservation of fish, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources for future generations, and to provide fish and wildlife-based outdoor recreation opportunities to the public,” said Nicholas H. Coppock, FWC land conservation planner. “This Land Management Plan will specify how we intend to accomplish that goal.”

To obtain a copy of the draft elements of the Land Management Plan for the Babcock/Webb WMA, contact Coppock at 850-487-5988 or email Nicholas.Coppock@MyFWC.com.

The public is encouraged to attend and will have the opportunity to comment on and ask questions regarding the Land Management Plan. Maps, drawings and other information will be available on display.