A 10-year plan for the Hilochee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be presented at a Dec. 16 public hearing in Lake County.
People are invited to the 7 p.m. public hearing at the Lake County Commission Chambers, 315 W Main St., in Tavares.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will present the draft land management plan for the FWC-managed portions of the Hilochee WMA, and people will be encouraged to comment and ask questions. For more information on the upcoming local public hearing, go to www.MyFWC.com/Conservation and select "Terrestrial Programs" then "Management Plans."

The Hilochee WMA is located within central Florida's Green Swamp, a critical natural resource that nourishes the headwaters of five rivers - the Hillsborough, Ocklawaha, Peace, Little Withlacoochee and Withlacoochee - and recharges the Floridan aquifer. Much of the Hilochee land was used in the past for citrus groves, cattle ranches and pine plantations, so native habitats are being restored here to support fish and wildlife.

Recreational opportunities at Hilochee, located in both Lake and Polk counties, include hunting Florida wild turkey, deer and hogs, going fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill, horseback riding and hiking.

Wildlife watchers here encounter a wide array of birds such as the great blue heron, little blue heron, wood stork, belted kingfisher, bald eagle and osprey, as well as butterflies, including Monarchs, which appear mostly in fall.

"The Hilochee WMA was purchased in order to ensure the preservation of fish and wildlife resources, other natural and cultural resources, and for fish- and wildlife-based public outdoor recreation," said Rebecca Shelton, FWC land conservation biologist. "This draft plan will specify how we intend to do that."

All lands purchased with public funds must have a management plan that ensures the property will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the intended purposes of the purchase.

Hunting and fishing regulations are not included in this plan or meeting; those are addressed through a separate public process.
To obtain a copy of the draft land management prospectus for the Hilochee WMA, call David Alden at 850-487-9588 or email David.Alden@MyFWC.com.

For background on management plans and their goals, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation and select "Terrestrial Programs" then "Management Plans."
Go to MyFWC.com/Viewing/Recreation and click on Wildlife Management Areas to find out more about the Hilochee WMA and access the Hilochee bird list.

Media contacts: Diane Hirth, 850-410-5291
Greg Workman, 352-620-7335
Gary Morse, 863-648-3852