"Florida has more endangered and threatened species than almost any other state in the country. I've been flying these skies for a long time, and I can tell you — the animals I saw as a young pelican are getting harder and harder to find. Today we're going to meet some of them, learn why they're struggling, and figure out what we can do to help."
Florida's Endangered Species — Why So Many?
Florida is one of the most biodiverse states in the United States — and also one of the most threatened. Over 100 species in Florida are listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Florida's rapid human population growth, loss of natural habitat to development, pollution, climate change, and invasive species have pushed many native animals and plants to the brink of extinction. Understanding these species — where they live, what they need, and why they're disappearing — is the first step to saving them.