Personnel note: Bret Prater joins Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation^[1] has named Bret Prater as its new Director of Government Relations, adding a veteran of Florida’s legislative and executive branches to its leadership team.

Prater brings more than 20 years of government and political experience to the role, where he will oversee the Corridor Foundation’s advocacy and public policy work aimed at protecting and connecting the Florida Wildlife Corridor — a conservation network linking the state’s natural and working lands from the Panhandle to the Everglades.

“Bret’s deep understanding of Florida’s political and policy landscape, particularly in agriculture and water conservation, makes him the ideal leader to advance the vision of a permanently connected Florida Wildlife Corridor,” said Mallory Dimmitt, CEO of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.

“His proven success navigating Florida’s political and government landscape will be invaluable as we work to keep Florida wild. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team.”

Prater joins the organization from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), where he served as Assistant Director of Agricultural Water Policy. In that position, he helped implement agricultural Best Management Practices and coordinated with producers, state agencies and water management districts on statewide water policy.

“From the beaches to the backwoods, Florida’s nature is a part of our everyday lives and our weekend escapes. That shared experience is why we have a collective responsibility to safeguard it as Florida grows,” Prater said.

“The Florida Wildlife Corridor is the blueprint and foundation for that responsible growth, a future where conservation and agriculture go hand-in-hand. I look forward to applying my experience to ensure these vital working and natural landscapes are conserved and well-managed for generations to come.”

Before his tenure at FDACS, Prater held senior roles in both state and federal government. He managed U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn’s first successful congressional campaign in 2016 and later served as Dunn’s Deputy Chief of Staff, focusing on federal strategy and outreach. He also worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to former House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, advising on budget and water policy, and previously served in the Executive Office of the Governor.