Environment

Wood Stork Delisted After Decades of Wetland Habitat Recovery

May08

Wood Stork Delisted After Decades of Wetland Habitat Recovery The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on February 9, 2026 that the wood stork has been removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. The delisting became final on March 9, 2026, marking a recovery milestone with deep ties to wetland conservation across Florida and the Southeast. A Recovery Built on Wetland Habitat When the wood stork was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1984, the population had

Mar05

The Balancing Act Between Growth and Wetland Conservation in Florida On March 10, 2026, Victoria Bruce, CEO of The Mitigation Banking Group, joined an expert panel at the Volusia County Association for Responsible Development (VCARD) seminar in DeLand, Florida to discuss how Florida manages the balance between growth and wetland conservation. The full presentation is now available to watch below. What Was Covered The program brought together regulatory professionals, environmental consultants, and industry leaders for a morning of discussion on wetland

Dec17

Florida Wetland Impacts: What They Are and Why They Matter In Florida, wetlands are legally protected ecosystems that support water quality, flood protection, and wildlife habitat. When these areas are disturbed—intentionally or not—there are consequences. Wetland impacts refer to any activity that alters the natural structure, function, or condition of a wetland. And in Florida, those impacts are highly regulated. What Counts as a Wetland Impact? Florida law defines wetland impacts broadly. Even routine land management or construction activities can fall under this category

Dec02

2025 Polk Landowner Expo Recap: What Florida Landowners Learned About Conservation and Mitigation Opportunities There’s something really special about being in a room full of people who care deeply about the land—not just as an asset, but as a legacy. At this year’s Polk Landowner Expo, I had the privilege of joining a lineup of passionate speakers and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Florida’s agricultural community. This event was a gathering of ranchers, citrus growers, consultants, and conservation professionals, all exploring the

Jul15

Investing in Florida’s Future: How RFLPP and Florida Forever Protect Land, Water, and Agriculture As Florida continues to grow, protecting our working lands and natural resources is not only an environmental priority—it’s an economic one. Two of the most powerful tools we have in this effort are the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) and the Florida Forever Program. These state-funded conservation initiatives are key to maintaining the balance between development and preservation. At MBG, we

Jul03

Florida Invests $1.4 Billion in Everglades Restoration and Water Quality Improvements for Fiscal Year 2025–26 The State of Florida is once again demonstrating strong leadership in environmental stewardship. As part of the newly approved 2025–26 state budget, more than $1.4 billion has been committed to Everglades restoration and water quality improvements, marking one of the largest single-year investments in the region’s history. This brings the total environmental investment during Governor DeSantis’s second term to an impressive $4.6 billion. These funds are

Apr16

Executive Order on Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting Puts Mitigation Banking at Risk On the heels of the recently issued Executive Order on Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting, serious concerns are emerging across the environmental and mitigation banking communities. This sweeping directive mandates that federal agencies—including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Environmental Protection Agency—must assign expiration dates to nearly all environmental regulations unless re-justified and formally extended. What’s at Stake? The Order threatens the very legal

Mar15

Understanding SB 1118: What Florida’s Rural Boundary Bill Means for Conservation and Mitigation Banking As a wetland mitigation banking specialist, I work closely with landowners, developers, and regulatory agencies to help strike a balance between growth and environmental preservation. That’s why I’ve been closely monitoring Senate Bill 1118 (SB 1118)—Florida’s proposed Rural Boundary Bill, which could have significant implications for mitigation banking, conservation efforts, and infrastructure planning across the state. This legislation, introduced in early 2025, seeks to ease development

Feb24

Stormwater Protection in Winter Springs At The Mitigation Banking Group, we’ve always been committed to protecting Florida’s natural resources. Now, I’m bringing that same passion and expertise to stormwater protection efforts in Winter Springs. As a city commissioner and a long-time advocate for water conservation, I’m proud to lead initiatives that keep our waterways clean, reduce pollution, and educate the community on stormwater management. Why Stormwater Protection Matters Stormwater runoff is one of the biggest threats to our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Every

Feb12

Protecting the Florida Scrub Jay: Pending Lawsuit Raises Conservation Concerns The Florida scrub-jay is a unique, federally threatened bird species found only in the sandy, scrubby habitats of Florida. Known for its striking blue feathers and social nature, the scrub-jay relies on fire-dependent ecosystems to thrive. However, habitat loss due to development has drastically reduced its population, making conservation efforts crucial to its survival. Now, a legal battle is unfolding that could not only affect the Florida scrub-jay but also redefine

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