Lake Apopka has become one of Florida’s greatest conservation success stories. Once written off as polluted and lifeless, it is now a thriving wetland that draws migratory birds from across the continent and nature lovers from around the world. Families, bird-watchers, cyclists, and photographers come here for something increasingly rare: quiet, safety, and the chance to witness wildlife alive and undisturbed.

Yet during parts of the year, state-permitted bird hunting is allowed in areas adjacent to popular public recreation zones. While legal, this practice is increasingly out of step with how Lake Apopka is used today and with the values of many who see this landscape as a shared refuge, not a shooting ground.

Allowing bird hunting in such a heavily visited wildlife destination puts people and animals in unnecessary conflict. It disrupts migratory birds during critical resting and feeding periods, undermines the lake’s growing role as an ecotourism hub, and creates fear and confusion for families and visitors who reasonably expect a peaceful, non-lethal outdoor experience. 

Florida has vast public lands where hunting can continue without overlapping with dense public recreation and internationally recognized bird habitat. Lake Apopka is uniquely suited to be managed first and foremost as a sanctuary for wildlife and people alike.

We urge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to end bird hunting permits in the Lake Apopka area and prioritize non-lethal recreation, wildlife protection, and long-term environmental stewardship. Protecting birds here protects the entire ecosystem—and preserves a place where Floridians of all backgrounds can connect with nature without fear.

Lake Apopka’s recovery proves what’s possible when we choose conservation.