FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

As the research division within the FWC, FWRI operates programs throughout Florida that obtain the wide-ranging data and information needed by fish, wildlife and ecosystem resource managers.

The institute employs more than 600 staff members. FWRI’s headquarters, located in downtown St. Petersburg, is home base to nearly half of the employees. More than 20 field stations enable other staff members to be strategically located throughout the state.

FWRI integrates its research with management efforts of other FWC divisions. FWRI provides science-based assessments and decision support to the FWC Commissioners and others responsible for managing or regulating activities that depend on Florida’s diverse natural resources.

In addition to the FWC, federal, state and local governments; universities; recreational and commercial fishing interests; recreational hunting and boating interests; nongovernmental organizations and the public use the results of FWRI’s research. Many of these entities also collaborate on FWRI projects.