New mapping tool helps Florida planners preserve wildlife corridors amid rapid state growth

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:42:00 +0200

Florida experienced rapid population growth between 2010 and 2020, adding nearly 3 million residents and becoming the fastest-growing state in the United States during that period. This expansion has led to increased pressure on land use as local governments, transportation agencies, and private landowners make independent decisions about development. Over time, these incremental choices collectively reshape ecosystems, often fragmenting habitats and threatening wildlife movement corridors that are essential for ecological health.

Researchers highlight the importance of connectivity between natural landscapes, which allows animals to move between habitats to find food, reproduce, and adapt to climate change. One critical example is the so-called “Last Green Thread” in central Florida, a narrowing corridor southwest of Orlando that connects the Green Swamp region to the Everglades headwaters. This ecological passage is vital for species such as the Florida black bear and potentially th