Updates
Archived IHN Updates
Summer 2008-Winter 2008
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The
Integrated Habitat Network (IHN) covers thousands of acres of
natural areas along the rivers and streams of west-central
Florida. To identify the protected IHN lands a special marker
was created. “Lands protected by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection in cooperation with landowners” informs
visitors of the IHN boundaries. The IHN boundaries are shared
with private landowners, including ranchers, developers and
mining companies (such as the one pictured below). These IHN
stakeholders share in the responsibilities involved in
protecting the conservation areas from disturbances.
- Staff members coordinated with Central Florida Audubon to
have wintering sparrow habitat planted at Bridgewater (a portion
of Tenoroc Fish Management Area). These plots will provide
necessary forage for the species.
- Staff manned a booth at the 2008 Water Wings and Wild
Things, hosted by Polk County Natural Resources Division at the
new Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Ranch. Staff also assisted
in recommending appropriate native plants, and donating some of
our nursery grown species toward the facility. The festival was
a great success and had booths and exhibits regarding
environmental education and awareness.
- Staff recently expanded the Homeland Nursery capabilities,
by creating native mother plant gardens within our property. The
“mother plants” within the gardens will be maintained to offer
seed and cuttings for nursery operations and reclamation
activities within the IHN. Initial notes include high
occurrences of desirable pollinators.
- We have observed good survival from our saw palmetto berry
plantings. The berries were provided by Hillsborough County
Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. The palmettos
were direct seeded and disked into many IHN areas and were also
grown out in the Homeland nursery for use later in the
restoration of pine flatwoods and scrub areas in the IHN, and
other reclamation areas.
- Invasive plant maintenance continues in the IHN;
specifically in the Hardee Lakes Conservation Easement. Hardee
County has been a wonderful cooperator in keeping the boardwalk
maintained to continue providing the opportunity to see deer,
wild turkey, migratory birds, and white pelicans, on this
reclaimed forested area.
-
Bureau
of Mining and Minerals Regulation (BMMR) staff members are still
involved in a study with the NRCS Plant Materials Center and
Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC to test “whips” as an efficient way to
plant a large and diverse array of shrub species into wetland
and mesic areas. Since the study is showing some promise, the
methodology will soon be expanded into IHN areas.
- BMMR recently acquired the lease of the former Department of
Juvenile Justice facility located directly east of our current
facility along the Peace River south of Bartow. The Polk County
School Board has entered into a sublease with the Department and
the buildings are being renovated. The Polk County Leisure
Services Division has also entered into a sublease to provide a
new canoe launch from this section of the Peace River. Currently
fire management activities and restoration plantings are being
conducted on this new site.
- 25 Gopher Tortoises were relocated to the Homeland tract
using the humane relocation alternative prescribed by the FWC.
There are confirmed active burrows following that relocation and
staff is working on enhancing desirable vegetation. This
introduces an important keystone species to utilize our
property. Staff assisted the Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in
conducting an outdoor science class at Homeland. The goal was to
learn lessons about the scientific method by designing and
performing an actual gopher tortoise survey on reclaimed land
adjacent to the Upper Peace River. One hundred tortoise burrows
were found over a five acre area, showing that the habitat was a
popular place for the animals and as many as thirty tortoises
lived in the area.
- Wetland Evaluations of mining reclamation/mitigation
continue in the Peace River Basin as part of the recommendations
of the Peace River Basin Resource Management Plan. This project
is scheduled to be completed in spring 2009 and will aid in the
development of recommendations for reclamation guidelines.
- The Committee will review the action items proposed in the
Peace River Basin Resource Management Plan and assist the
implementing agencies in determining steps needed to accomplish
the goal of reducing and reversing cumulative environmental
impacts. The next meeting is scheduled for January 2009.
For Upper Peace River Saddle Creek Restoration Project
As
part of the Upper Peace River/Saddle Creek Restoration Project Phase
II a 295 acre project (Myrtlewood) was completed to build Polk
Parkway mitigation wetlands and habitat creation. This project will
be the first of many funding partnerships with FWC AHRES program
which aids in the creation of Waterfowl habitat and also contributes
towards creation and enhancement of Gopher Tortoise habitat.
Upland enhancement at the Myrtlewood project continued with
installations of Homeland nursery plants, herbiciding of invasives,
and soil amendments.
Approximately 30 acres were seeded at Myrtlewood to begin the
adaptive management approach towards flatwoods restoration. The
first stage will be soil restoration via the green manure cropping.
Also as a project commitment towards keeping the public informed,
staff gave a project update at the Florida Institute of Phosphate
Research’s 23rd Annual Conference.
Maintenance continued at the North Lake Parker wetland with
herbiciding for cattail and Carolina willow that has been competing
for space with the planted trees.
For future updates on this project please visit:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/mines/upr/news.htm
