Mosaic is committed to wildlife stewardship and protection, both on our property and throughout central and southwest Florida. We have taken a leadership role in pioneering wildlife relocation techniques, in creating prime habitats, and in providing continued financial support for wildlife rehabilitation and education.
Environment
Onsite Wildlife is Protected
Mosaic works to protect the environment’s most sensitive habitats and the species they contain. Before any mining begins, the property is surveyed by independent consultants multiple times, and we work closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that all wildlife on our property are monitored and managed properly. From indigo snakes and gopher tortoises to burrowing owls, special care is given to onsite wildlife before, during and after mining.Successfully Relocating Wildlife
Working with wildlife agencies, Mosaic successfully translocates species that are endangered, threatened or “of special concern” from mining areas to both unmined and reclaimed lands — many of which are designated as perpetual conservation easements.
For example, the sandy soils, short trees and sparse vegetation of reclaimed “scrub” habitats make them particularly hospitable to burrowing animals like the gopher tortoise and burrowing owl. Florida’s phosphate industry has successfully relocated more than 10,000 gopher tortoises to reclaimed areas – and their “burrow buddies” like Florida mice, lizards, gopher frogs, gopher scarab beetles, gopher crickets and gopher moths come along too.
Scrub Jay Translocation Project
Mosaic has developed the largest scrub-jay population in Southwest Florida through a series of successful translocations and partnerships that began in 2003. The habitat includes Mosaic property on an un-mined conservation area, as well as adjacent land owned by Manatee County – the Duette Preserve – and land owned by the Southwest Water Management District (SWFWMD). In 2015, 26 family groups fledging a total of 25 juveniles were counted within these areas. This intensively managed high quality scrub habitat has enticed scrub-jays to immigrate on their own as well, for the companionship of other jays.