Conservation Banking in Florida

Protecting endangered and threatened species through permanent habitat preservation and a market-based credit system.

Conservation banks are protected parcels of land managed for the survival of endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. In exchange for permanently preserving and managing that habitat, landowners receive species credits approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — credits that can be sold to developers who need to offset impacts to the same species elsewhere.

THE PROCESS

How Conservation Banking Works

Three stages from land protection to credit sale

Land Permanently Protected

A landowner places a conservation easement on eligible habitat, permanently preventing development and committing to long-term species management.

Credits Approved by USFWS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviews the bank and approves a set number of habitat or species credits based on the ecological value of the protected land.

Credits Sold to Developers

Developers whose projects impact listed species within the same service area purchase credits to satisfy their regulatory mitigation obligations.

Florida recognizes 4 protected species that require agency authorization before development — each covered under a permanent conservation easement enforced by both federal and state law.

PROTECTED SPECIES

Species Requiring Authorization in Florida

If your development project occurs on land occupied by any of these species, authorization from the relevant state or federal agency is required before work can begin.

🐢

Gopher Tortoise

Threatened — Florida

If your parcel has Gopher Tortoise presence, a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is required before any disturbance of a potentially occupied burrow.

Since 2007, when the GT was listed as a threatened species, a certified GT agent must remove and relocate tortoises to a designated recipient site with suitable upland habitat. Prior to 2007, relocation was not required.

🛡 Permitting Agency: FWC

🐆

Florida Panther

Endangered — Federal & State

The Florida Panther is protected as an endangered species under both the federal Endangered Species Act and Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.

Projects impacting occupied panther habitat require an Incidental Take Permit supported by a Biological Opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before development can proceed.

🛡 Permitting Agency: USFWS

🐦

Florida Scrub Jay

Threatened — Federal & State

Florida Scrub Jays are listed as threatened by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Development on occupied scrub jay habitat requires coordination with USFWS. An Incidental Take Permit included in a Biological Opinion is required where impacts to the species cannot be avoided.

🛡 Permitting Agencies: USFWS & FWC

🦎

Sand Skink & Blue-Tailed Mole Skink

Threatened — Federal

Both the Sand Skink and the Blue-Tailed Mole Skink are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, which protects them from harm caused by development activity.

Projects affecting occupied habitat require an Incidental Take Permit from USFWS. These species are typically found in well-drained, sandy soils in Central Florida scrub habitat.

🛡 Permitting Agency: USFWS

AUTHORIZATION PROCESS

What Happens When Listed Species Are Present

Development on land occupied by a listed species is legally permissible — but only after completing the required coordination and permitting steps with the appropriate agency.

Species Survey Conducted

A qualified biologist conducts a survey of the project site to identify the presence of any listed species or occupied habitat before development plans are finalized.

Agency Coordination Initiated

If listed species are confirmed, the project proponent coordinates with USFWS and/or FWC depending on which species are present and whether federal or state permits are required.

Incidental Take Permit or Relocation Authorized

For federally listed species, an Incidental Take Permit supported by a Biological Opinion is issued. For Gopher Tortoises, a certified agent relocates individuals to an authorized recipient site.

Conservation Credits Purchased

To offset the impact, the developer purchases conservation credits from an approved conservation bank operating within the same species service area. MBG can help identify available credits.

FLORIDA PANTHER CORRIDOR

Creating a Wildlife Corridor Across Florida

When listed species are displaced by development, they naturally relocate to habitat set aside through conservation banking. Over time, these protected areas form connected corridors that allow wildlife to move through the landscape.

“Florida is currently coordinating an initiative to preserve land creating a continuous wildlife corridor from the south to the north of the state for the Florida Panther.”

Conservation banks play a direct role in this effort. Each protected bank site contributes habitat that supports species movement, genetic diversity, and long-term population survival — outcomes that small, scattered mitigation parcels cannot reliably achieve.

Learn how conservation credits are valued →

FLORIDA PANTHER CORRIDOR

Creating a Wildlife Corridor Across Florida

“Florida is currently coordinating an initiative to preserve land creating a continuous wildlife corridor from the south to the north of the state for the Florida Panther.”

Learn how conservation credits are valued →

Need Conservation Credits in Florida?

MBG represents conservation banks throughout Florida and can help you identify the right credits for your project’s species and location requirements.

VIEW AVAILABLE CREDITS