About the Center for Landscape Conservation Planning
The Center for Landscape Conservation Planning was established in 2010 to provide an official forum within the the University of Florida's College of Design, Construction and Planning for conducting applied research on the relationship between conservation and land use. The Center is affiliated with the Department of Landscape Architecture, forming a bridge between the disciplines of design, planning, and wildlife conservation.
The Center's Director is Dr. Thomas Hoctor. Center staff also include Mary Oakley, Research Associate, and Michael Volk, Landscape Planner and Project Coordinator.
Mission Statement
The Center for Landscape Conservation Planning conducts applied research on the relationship between conservation and land use while providing learning opportunities for students. Results of the Center’s research are used to influence public policy through education and direct involvement in the application of relevant science, technology, and planning principles and methods to conservation analysis, planning, and management. A primary goal is research and education regarding the importance of protecting green infrastructure. Green infrastructure promotes the critical concept that ecosystem function, biodiversity, and the health of human communities are inextricably linked. The activities of the Center include four primary programmatic areas: research and planning related to protection of regional ecological networks; landscape and biodiversity conservation research and planning; green infrastructure research and planning; and education for students, designers, and planners in principles of landscape ecology, conservation biology, and conservation planning including relevant GIS applications and tools.
Current News and Articles
The Center for Landscape Conservation Planning is actively involved in current conservation efforts throughout Florida. The following articles and links are related to on-going and recent conservation work.
- Conservation Connections Interview: The following is a two-part interview with Tom Hoctor that was shared on the "Conservation Connections" blog. The first portion is titled "An Audacious Attempt to Link Habitat for Endangered Species across Florida" and focuses on the need for protecting broad landscape connectivity across Florida and current projects to address this goal. Part One is here. Part Two, which is titled "Beyond Science- Public Outreach to Protect Panther Habitat" can be found here.
- Interview for Wild Muse: For the "Wild Muse" blog, Tom Hoctor provided an interview on green infrastructure planning, conservation issues in Florida, and some of his background and current work in conservation planning. This can be found here.
- Article on the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Highlands-Glades Florida Black Bear Population: The article below was written by Tom Hoctor in 2012 discussing the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the importance of the Highlands-Glades Florida Black Bear Subpopulation. The article can be found here.