The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee that prevention, detection and private‑sector partnerships are key to managing nonnative animals statewide, and that short‑term higher contract costs may be required to modernize removal programs.

At the May subcommittee meeting, George Worthen, introduced as FWC chief conservation officer, said more than 500 nonnative species have been reported in Florida and that the state’s subtropical climate makes establishment more likely. “Preventing the introduction, release, and establishment of invasive wildlife is key to successful cost‑effective protection of our natural resources,” he said.

Worthen described a mix of tools used by FWC — risk screenings, regulatory classifications (conditional and prohibited listings), enforcement efforts and public outreach — to prevent and, where eradication is impossible, contain and manage invasive populations. He cited recent enforcement work including Operation Viper, which he said concluded with more than 600 charges for trafficking of prohibited reptiles.

FWC highlighted public engagement programs and reporting tools used to expand detection. Worthen described the Florida Python Challenge (a public removal/awareness event run in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida); a lionfish outreach program and tournament in Destin; and an Exotic Pet Amnesty program that rehomes surrendered animals, which the agency said has an adopter network spanning multiple states. He also described an “I’ve Got One” hotline/app that coordinates public reports and can trigger rapid response by staff, contractors or partners.

Several members focused on money and local impacts. Representative Barnaby asked why the budget for nonnative fish and wildlife management rose from roughly $3.4 million to more than $6 million over four years and asked whether policy changes (tighter possession/import rules) would be a cheaper alternative. Worthen said a roughly $1 million increase in the 2025–26 year reflected a consolidation and modernization of python removal via a contract with a private vendor, Inversa, and that the cost curve increases as more species move from prevention into long‑term management. “This is the increase due to our contract with Inversa,” Worthen said, adding the shift can reduce staff burdens and — if the market develops — become more self‑sustaining.

Ranking Member Dunkley, members from South Florida and others raised green iguanas and tegus as local problems. Worthen said state funding exists but removal of species breeding on private land often requires local partnership or private contractors; he noted Miami‑Dade had discussed creating an iguana challenge similar to the Python Challenge. Palm Beach County Commissioner Sarah Baxter, speaking during public comment, urged expansion of state programs to support local mitigation and said iguana damage to seawalls, sidewalks and drainage infrastructure was costing taxpayers “millions.”

On regulation and animal care, Worthen described past sweeping rule changes that limited reptile ownership, and said current work focuses on containment, caging requirements and enforcement and on working with responsible members of the pet industry to reduce escape risks.

FWC officials said some program costs are rising because many species are already beyond the prevention stage; eradication is not feasible for animals such as wild hogs, lionfish and, in some areas, Burmese pythons. Instead the agency emphasized containment, targeted removal, research and technological tools (drones, camera systems, and new trap types) as long‑term strategies.

The agency closed the presentation and offered to provide additional budget breakdowns and program metrics to the committee; Worthen said he would follow up with detailed cost and staffing numbers for specific species and programs. The committee received one public comment card and no formal vote was taken on funding requests.