PART II Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Control

This report was prepared to provide an annual assessment of the control achieved and funding necessary to manage nonindigenous upland plants on public conservation lands in Florida. The authority of the Department of Environmental Protection (department) as addressed in §369.251, Florida Statutes, extends to the management of all upland nonindigenous plants on all public conservation lands, including land owned by federal, state, and local government entities. The upland invasive exotic plant management program on Florida’s public lands involves complex operational and financial interactions between state, federal, and local governments, as well as private sector companies. Therefore, a summary of the entire management program on public conservation lands and associated funding contracted or monitored by the department during Fiscal Year 2000-2001 is included in this report. Contents

Introduction ...... 2

Florida’s “Least Wanted”...... 3

Invasive Plant Management Trust Fund ...... 4

Upland Control Projects by Working Group Florida Keys Regional Working Group ...... 5 Mosquito Coast Regional Working Group ...... 12 Northeast Regional Working Group ...... 16 Panhandle Regional Working Group ...... 18 Southeast Regional Working Group ...... 28 Southwest Regional Working Group ...... 39 Sun Coast Regional Working Group ...... 46 Treasure Coast Regional Working Group ...... 53 West Central Regional Working Group...... 69 Withlacoochee Regional Working Group ...... 71

NPS Projects ...... 76

SFWMD Melaleuca Project ...... 95

Research, Education, and Outreach ...... 102

Contract Management Assistance Division of Recreation and Parks ...... 105 Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas ...... 108 Office of Greenways and Trails ...... 110

Herbicide Bank ...... 111

Summary of Uplands Operations (1997-2001) ...... 112

Volunteer Efforts in Weed Control ...... 113 Introduction

With its subtropical climate, an island-like topography, and the pressures of a rapidly expanding human population, Florida is especially vulnerable to invasion by foreign species. Coupled with this threat is a lack of awareness by citizens and tourists alike about the invasiveness ofnon-native or “exotic” plants introduced into the Florida environment. Invasive exotic plant species, lacking control by their native diseases and predators, spread explosively and may outcompete and replace vital native species on public and private land. An estimated 1.5 million acres of Florida’s remaining natural areas are infested with invasive exotic plant species that are rapidly degrading biological diversity. If not controlled, these infestations diminish wildlife habitat, decrease recreational resources, and negatively affect the natural health and economy of the state. Nearly one-third of the plants found growing naturally in Florida’s environment are introduced non- native species; however, only about 10% are considered a threat to natural areas. These species comprise the 125 Category I and Category II invasive exotic plants on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2001 List of Invasive Species. The major direct effect of exotic plant invaders on Florida’s ecosystems is the adverse alteration of native habitats. Such invaders change the composition, structure, and/or processes of native plant and animal communities, often with significant ripple effects throughout the larger system. Most easily observed are the obvious examples of displacement: the invader forms a dense one-species stand where once there was a rich assembly of native species, resulting in a loss of biodiversity. A number of populations of Florida’s rarest plants have been lost in this fashion. Other invaders modify habitat processes, for example, by changing the natural flow or percolation of water or by increasing the chance of fires in habitats not adapted to fire. Some exotic species have both effects.

Photo: Seminole pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) on Lake Okeechobee. J.K. Small, 1925. Courtesy of the Florida State Archives.

2 The 1997 Legislature charged BIPM with the task of creating a program to bring invasive exotic upland plant species under maintenance control. A maintenance control program, as defined in §369.22, F.S., is “a method for the control of exotic plants in which control techniques are utilized in a coordi- nated manner on a continuous basis in order to maintain the plant population at the lowest feasible level.” The Upland Invasive exotic Plant Management Program is a statewide cooperative program that coordinates upland invasive exotic plant management activities in a coordinated effort to halt the introduction and spread of invasive exotic plants, remove existing populations of pest plants, and assist in restoring Florida’s native plant communities on public conservation lands to a pre-invasion condition. Approximately $12 million are now needed each year to adequately manage upland exotic plants on Florida public lands. This consists of $10 million for initial control treatment, $1 million to sustain maintenance control, and $1 million to manage melaleuca as mandated by §§206.606(1)(a), F.S. The $1 million dollars provided for this last function for FY 00-01 from the CARL Trust Fund represents the minimum funding level to provide a meaningful, statewide control effort for melaleuca. It is important to emphasize that management plans are developed and contracts are in place to provide upland weed control; thus, any increase in funding is applied directly to control activities, not to administrative costs. Greg Jubinsky Program Administrator January 31, 2002

Florida’s Top 101 “Least Wanted” Invasive Exotic Plants for 2000

Plant Acres Controlled % Total Acres Melaleuca2 5827.68 34.28% Brazilian pepper 3807.77 22.40% Lygodium spp 2167.73 12.75% Australian pine 1730.46 10.18% Chinese tallow 1260.45 7.41% Ardesia 824.59 4.85% Wisteria 514.96 3.03% Chinaberry 488.04 2.87% Cogon grass 399.94 2.35% Air potato 338.67 1.99%

1by estimated acres controlled and % of total project acres for all species 2does not include melaleuca acres controlled by SFWMD (see page 95)

3 Trust Fund Projects Funding for the Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program is provided through the Invasive Plant Management Trust Fund as set forth in Section 369.252(4), Florida Statutes, which reads: “Use funds in the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund as authorized by the Legislature for carrying out activities under this section on public lands. Twenty percent of the amount credited to the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund pursuant to §201.15(6) shall be used for the purpose of controlling nonnative, upland, invasive plant species on public lands.” The trust fund provided $4 million to fund upland control projects for Fiscal Year 2000. The Cooperative Regional Invasive Plant Working Group (“working group”) brings together stakeholders in a geographic area for the purpose of combining expertise, energy, and resources to deal with common weed problems. It provides an open forum for expressing the concerns of citizens, landowners, and managers, and provides an effective mechanism to address those concerns. BIPM relies on the expertise within each working group to set regional control priorities based upon severity and potential threat to existing public conservation lands. This is accomplished by the working group reviewing and ranking control project proposals. BIPM has established 11 working groups, encompassing all 67 counties, which are made up of nearly 500 members representing federal, state, and local government public conservation land managers, non-governmental organizations, and private landowners across the state. Program liaisons have been designated for each working group to facilitate proposal review and coordination with the state program staff. The following projects, listed alphabetically by working group, were funded during FY00. Note: No projects were completed in the East Central Working Group during FY00.

4 Coupon Bight/Key Deer Refuge Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Florida Keys County: Monroe PCL: National Key Deer Refuge PCL Size: 8,844 acres Site Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Key Deer Refuge P.O. Box 430510 Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 Phone: 305-872-2239, Fax: 305-872-3675 Project ID: FK-009 Project Size: 194.5 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $130,769 The National Key Deer Refuge includes habitat critical to survival of the endangered key deer. The refuge is home to a number of rare plants and animals, five of which are found nowhere else in the world. The project consists of treatment of Australian pine and Brazilian pepper on unplatted acreage parcels located on Big Pine Key on south US-1, and also publicly-owned lots in subdivisions scattered throughout other lands managed by USFWS. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4

A severely degraded tract of land on Big Pine Key that required heavy equipment to remove hurricane damaged exotics. The site topography and hydrology was disturbed, allowing invasive exotics to out-compete native vegetation.

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Heavy equipment including dozers, excavators, and tub grinders are required to remove both exotics and the disturbed soils that allow colonization of exotics to occur in natural areas in the Keys. Removal of exotics with topographical and hydrological restoration is an effective use of funds in a long term strategy.

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With the exotics gone and the site topography restored to its original grade, exotic invasion will no longer be a problem and the site will re-vegetate naturally in a short period of time.

7 Snake Creek Hammock Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Florida Keys County: Monroe PCL: Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area PCL Size: 1,809 acres Site Manager: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area 2796 Overseas Highway, Suite 213C Marathon, Florida 33050 Phone: 305-517-9395 Project ID: FK-010 Project Size: 37.4 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $33,600

Snake Creek Hammock is a site on Plantation Key and is part of the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area. The hammock harbors rare and endemic species of plants and animals. The project area lies along US-1 and includes 2.9 acres of tropical hardwood hammock, 14.2 acres of mangroves, and 20.3 acres of disturbed area. The target plants are scattered throughout the project area. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4 Leucaena leucocephala lead tree Category II basal Garlon 4

8 National Key Deer Refuge US-1 Parcels Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Florida Keys County: Monroe PCL: National Key Deer Refuge PCL Size: 8,649 acres Site Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Key Deer Refuge P.O. Box 430510 Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 Phone: 305-872-2239, Fax: 305-872-3675 Project ID: FK-011 Project Size: 49.78 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $115,950.00 The National Key Deer Refuge includes habitat critical to survival of the endangered key deer. Natural communities include tropical hardwood hammock, pine rocklands, freshwater wetlands, and mangrove swamp. The refuge is home to a number of rare plants and animals, five of which are found nowhere else in the world. The project consists of treatment of Australian pine and Brazilian pepper on scattered lots along U.S. Highway 1 on Big Pine Key. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4

Before and after photo of a site on U.S. 1 on Big Pine Key. The site was a monoculture of Australian pine, resulting in a clear-cut once the project was finished.

9 Coco Plum Beach Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Florida Keys County: Monroe PCL: Coco Plum Beach Park PCL Size: 23.4 acres Site Manager: City of Marathon 11090 Overseas Highway Marathon, Florida 33050 Phone: 305-743-0033 Project ID: FK-013 Project Size: 23.4 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $54,098.75 Project ID: FK-013b Project Cost: $11,100.00 Coco Plum Beach Park is a 23-acre county park on Fat Deer Key. The park contains 2,550 linear feet of beach shoreline. Habitat includes coastal hammock and salt marsh. The beach is a documented sea turtle nesting site. The project consists of treatment of Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, and lead tree throughout site. A followup project (013b) removed the debris created by the control project. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4 Leucaena leucocephala lead tree Category II basal Garlon 4

Mechanical removal of pepper is a cost-effective method along Florida’s beaches.

10 National Key Deer Refuge Invasive Exotic Plant Control Technician Working Group: Florida Keys County: Monroe PCL: National Key Deer Refuge PCL Size: 8,649 acres Site Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Key Deer Refuge P.O. Box 430510 Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 Phone: 305-872-2239, Fax: 305-872-3675 Project ID: FK-014 Project Size: 8,649 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $20,281.50 This project involves using USFWS employees to apply herbicides on lands managed by the Refuge. The project site includes all lands within the boundaries of the Refuge, and has focused on the islands of Big Pine and No Name Keys. Two exotic plant control technicians work approximately 30 hours per week through the months of October-April treating invasive exotic plants on the refuge. Light to moderate infestations in natural areas and previously contracted sites are the primary target areas. The Florida Keys Environmental Restoration Trust Fund is providing $1,000 in direct funding and $1,000 as in-kind contribution. USFWS is assisting with equipment for this project. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4

The exotics techs Matt and P.J. hard-at-it killing weeds. This program is a highly cost- effective method of using DEP funds to control exotics and involves extensive cost- sharing between DEP and the USFWS.

11 Sebastian Inlet SRA Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Mosquito Coast County: Brevard PCL: Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area PCL Size: 870 acres Site Manager: DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area 9700 South A1A Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951 Phone: 321-984-4853 Project ID: MC-011 Project Size: 20.48 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $12,000

The project area consists of two units within Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, North Hammock and Cambell’s Cove. Cambell’s Cove is a mosquito impoundment dike bordering waters of the Indian River Lagoon. Target species are continuous along the 1.9-mile length of the dike, with Brazilian pepper densely occurring on two-thirds of the site. North Hammock consists of uplands bordered by 3.4 acres of mangrove shoreline. Target species are scattered across the site, with Syngonium, snake plant, and life plant the most densely occurring. The other species occur individually or in small (<20ft2) patches.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4 Ficus spp. fig Category I basal Garlon 4 Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato Category I hand pull Ruellia brittoniana Mexican petunia Category I hand pull Nephrolepis spp. sword fern Category I hand pull Syngonium spp. arrowhead vine Category I hand pull Wedelia trilobata wedelia Category II hand pull Hibiscus tiliaceus hibiscus Category II basal Garlon 4 Sansevieria hyacinthoides. bowstring hemp Category II basal Garlon 4 Carica papaya papaya n/a basal Garlon 4 Vitex sp. vitex n/a cut stump Garlon 4 Kalanchoe sp. life plant n/a hand pull Sisal sp. hemp n/a mechanical Zebrina pendula wandering jew n/a hand pull Washingtonia spp. Washington palm n/a mechanical Musa sp. banana n/a mechanical

12 Pine Island Conservation Area Phase I Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Mosquito Coast County: Brevard PCL: Pine Island Conservation Area PCL Size: 872 acres Site Manager: Brevard County Parks and Recreation 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building B Viera, Florida 32940 Phone: 321-633-2046, Fax: 321-633-2198 Project ID: MC-012 Project Size: 99.8 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $52,189 Pine Island is an area of mesic pine flatwoods bounded by freshwater marshes, impoundments, and the Indian River Lagoon, located along the southern boundary of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Other natural communities present are hydric hammock, estuarine marsh, and mangrove swamp, where Brazilian pepper occurs more densely than in the pine flatwoods.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal/cut stump Garlon 4/Arsenal

Treated Brazilian pepper on Pine Island.

13 14 Archie Carr NWR/South Beaches Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Mosquito Coast County: Brevard PCL: South Beach Regional Management Area PCL Size: n/a Site Manager: Brevard County Parks and Recreation 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building B Viera, Florida 32940 Phone: 321-633-2046, Fax: 321-633-2198 Project ID: MC-013 Project Size: 95 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $108,780 The South Beaches consist of public lands held by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Florida, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and Brevard County. These lands in general share the mission of the Archie Carr National Sea Turtle Refuge to protect endangered sea turtles, their nesting beaches, and other coastal habitats. The Brevard beaches are globally important to the protection of loggerhead sea turtles. The project area consists of eight parcels ranging in size from <1 acre to 77 acres. The average target species coverage is 50% or 42.5 acres. Treatment will include basal bark application, cut stump, and cutting and chipping, depending upon the site. The BIPM expenditure of $38,000 is matched by in- kind contributions and funds totaling $70,780 from Brevard County, USFWS, Marine Resources Council, SJRWMD, and the Department of Community Affairs Coastal Management Program. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4

Detailed maps like this one make it easier for planners and contractors to estimate treatment costs.

15 Jennings State Forest Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Northeast County: Clay PCL: Jennings State Forest PCL Size: 20,623 acres Site Manager: Division of Forestry (DACS) Jennings State Forest 1337 Long Horn Road Middleburg, Florida 32068 Phone: 904-291-5530, Fax: 904-291-5537 Project ID: NE-008 Project Size: 150 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $7,815.04 Jennings State Forest (formerly Upper Black Creek CARL project) is a large expanse of intact sandhill with seepage slopes and deeply incised ravine creeks that are home to the endangered Black Creek crayfish. The project site contains bottomland swamps along North Fork Black Creek, an Outstanding Florida Water.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal Garlon 4 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I basal Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree Category I basal Garlon 4

Exotic plant infestations interfere with every aspect of forest benefits, including recreation, nature appreciation, and timber production.

16 17 Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Panhandle County: Leon PCL: Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park PCL Size: 670 acres Site Manager: City Of Tallahassee Parks and Recreation 912 Myers Park Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Phone: 850-891-3975, Fax: 850-891-3976 Project ID: PH-004 Project Size: 111 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $25,860.83 Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park lies on the shore of Lake Jackson and contains seepage ravines surrounded by upland mixed forest. Soccer fields that were part of the original property were purchased by the City, which manages the park and adjacent recreational facility. The project site includes 71 acres of City property and 40 acres of Northwest Florida Water Management District property. Target species occur more densely on the City property, but are scattered throughout the project site. The primary target plant is coral ardisia.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Ardisia crenata coral ardisia Category I basal Garlon 4 Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Ligustrum sinese Chinese privet Category I basal Garlon 4 Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I foliar Roundup Aleurites fordii tung oil tree Category II basal Garlon 4

18 Eglin Air Force Base Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Panhandle County: Okaloosa PCL: Eglin Air Force Base PCL Size: 463,448 acres Site Manager: Eglin AFB Natural Resources Jackson Guard 107 Hwy. 85 N. Niceville, Florida 32578 Phone: 850-882-4164, Fax: 850-882-5321 Project ID: PH-005 Project Size: 32 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $24,049.80

Eglin Air Force Base is the largest forested military reservation in the United States. In addition to a large expanse of sandhill, there are thirty-four other natural communities present, including the most significant array of steephead seepage streams under a single ownership in Florida. The project area is mesic flatwoods that were partially treated for Chinese tallow in 1999. Target species occur scattered throughout the project site. The primary target plant is Chinese tallow, which occurs in light to heavy infestations on the site.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Ligustrum sinese Chinese privet Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal Garlon 4

19 Stony Bayou/St. Marks NWR Cogon Grass Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Panhandle County: Taylor PCL: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge PCL Size: 67,561 acres Site Manager: US Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge P. O. Box 68 St. Marks, Florida 32355 Phone: 850-925-6121, Fax: 850-925-6930 Project ID: PH-006 Project Size: 8,557 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $13,625.63

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge covers over 67,000 acres in three counties. Natural areas include estuarine tidal marsh, coastal hammock, mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, bottomland forest, and dome swamp, among others. The refuge has extensive artificial impoundments managed for waterfowl, which are used by many other bird species as well. The project area comprises 8,557 forested acres in the easternmost unit of the refuge. Cogon grass occurs on an estimated 30 acres of linear patches along dikes and roadway berms.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Pro Lantana camara lantana Category I foliar Roundup Pro

20 Lake Jackson Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Panhandle County: Leon PCL: Lake Jackson PCL Size: 4,710 acres Site Manager: Bureau of Invasive Plant Management (FDEP) 3915 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 710 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000 Phone: 850-487-2600, Fax: 850-488-2216 Project ID: PH-007 Project Size: 520 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $63,805 Lake Jackson experienced a natural drawdown in 1999. This recurring event offered a unique opportunity to address Chinese tallow tree infestations found scattered along the shoreline of the lake. With the absence of water, access to the infestations was greatly increased. A cooperative venture to control tallow on public lands around the lake was started in 1999 between the DEP, Leon County Public Works, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The DEP supplied herbicide, equipment and training, the Leon County Public Works Department supplied a vehicle and a crew supervisor, and the Sheriff’s Department supplied a 4-man inmate crew for labor. Work was conducted between August 1st and December 1st. The project cost was for herbicide and carrier oil only. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal bark Garlon 4

A lush green forest ...of exotics.

With the exotics treated, the natural system can begin to recover.

21 USAF Hurlbert Field Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Panhandle County: Okaloosa PCL: Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field PCL Size: 6,634 acres Site Manager: US Department of Defense, Air Force USAF – Hurlburt Field 16 CES/CEV 415 Independence Road Hurlburt Field, Florida 32544-5244 Phone: 850-884-4651, Fax: 850-884-2580 Project ID: PH-008 Project Size: 451 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $9,952.73

Hurlburt Field encompasses 6,634 acres, of which 70% or 4,644 acres is wetlands. Natural areas include mesic flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, sandhill, baygall, wet prairie, dome swamp, floodplain swamp, and blackwater stream. A dozen rare plants and animals are recorded on Hurlburt Field, and it supports a large population of the flatwoods salamander. The project comprises several sites, adjacent to developed operational areas, that were partially treated for Chinese tallow in 1996. The primary target plant is Chinese tallow, although other exotics occur in light to heavy infestations on the sites.

Target Plants Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Ligustrum sinese Chinese privet Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal Garlon 4 Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Garlon 4 Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Category I stem Garlon 4 Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Category II stem Garlon 4

22 St. Marks NWR Woody Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Panhandle County: Taylor PCL: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge PCL Size: 67,561 acres Site Manager: US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge P. O. Box 68 St. Marks, Florida 32355 Phone: 850-925-6121, Fax: 850-925-6930 Project ID: PH-009 Project Size: 39 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $30,553.76

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge covers over 67,000 acres in three counties. Natural areas include estuarine tidal marsh, coastal hammock, mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, bottomland forest, and dome swamp, among others. The refuge has extensive artificial impoundments managed for waterfowl, which are used by many other bird species as well. The project area comprises infested sites throughout the refuge. Chinese tallow is the primary target among the many exotics to be treated.

Target Plants Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal/stem Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal/stem Garlon 4 Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Category I cut stem Garlon 41 Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Category I foliar Roundup Pro Dioscorea bulbifera air potato Category I foliar Roundup Pro Dioscorea alata winged yam Category I dig Garlon 4 Colocasia esculenta wild taro Category I dig Garlon 4 Ardesia crenata coral ardesia Category I basal/stem Garlon 4 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I foliar Roundup Pro Lantana camara lantana Category I cut stem Garlon 4 Lantana camara lantana Category I foliar Roundup/Arsenal Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Category II basal/stem Garlon 4 1also used Garlon 3A/Roundup Pro mix

23 Rocky Comfort/Joe Budd WMA Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Panhandle County: Gadsden PCL: Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area PCL Size: 10,539 acres Site Manager: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area 5300 High Bridge Road Quincy, Florida 32351 Phone: 850-627-9764, Fax: 850-875-4897 Project ID: PH-010 Project Size: 76 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $70,546.91 The Rocky Comfort Unit is a 2,018-acre tract within the Joe Budd WMA. The site is co-owned and managed with the Division of Forestry. Uplands within the unit are primarily pine plantation, with the exotics mostly occurring along the plantation edges. Natural communities include steephead ravines and slope forest. The project area comprises infested sites throughout the unit. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal/stem Garlon 4 Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Category I cut stem Garlon 4 Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Category I foliar Roundup/Garlon 4 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I foliar/stem Roundup/Garlon 4 Dioscorea bulbifera air potato Category I stem Roundup/Garlon 4 Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo Category I basal/stem Garlon 4 Pueraria montana kudzu Category I foliar/stem Veteran 720 Dioscorea alata winged yam Category I stem Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal/stem Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Category II stem Garlon 4 Ailanthus altissima tree-of-heaven n/a basal Garlon 4

An ATV is an effective tool for covering large areas needing foliar application, as when treating Japanese climbing fern.

24 Project map delineating approximate locations of invasive exotic plants by species and density on the Rocky Comfort Unit of the Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area, March 2000.

25 Lake Jackson Mounds Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Panhandle County: Leon PCL: Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park PCL Size: 160.84 acres Site Manager: Division of Recreation and Parks (FDEP) Tallahassee/St. Marks Geopark 1022 De Soto Park Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Phone: 850-922-6007, Fax: 850-488-0366 Project ID: PH-011 Project Size: 70 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $38,059.65

Lake Jackson Mounds is a 106-acre tract known as one of the most important archaeological sites discovered in Florida. The site was once a large ceremonial center dating back to 1000 A.D.-1450 A.D. The entire complex is composed of six earth temple mounds, part of the village and trading area. Much of the site today consists of secondary growth mesic hammock, upland hardwood forest, and steephead ravines. Coral ardisia and nandina occur in dense stands along nature trails and ravines. This a cost-share project with the Division of Recreation and Parks providing $11,100. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Ardisia crenata coral ardisia Category I stem Garlon 4 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I foliar Roundup Pro/G4 Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo Category I stem Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal/stem Garlon 4 Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal/stem Garlon 4 Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Category II stem Garlon 4

26 27 Loxahatchee Tree Islands Lygodium Treatment Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southeast Florida County: Palm Beach PCL: Loxahatchee NWR PCL Size: 147,392 acres Site Manager: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 10216 Lee Road Boynton Beach, Florida 33437 Phone: 561-732-3684, Fax: 561-369-7190 Project ID: SE-010 Project Size: 309 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $57,424 The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (a.k.a. Water Conservation Area 1) is the last northernmost portion of the Everglades. The native tree islands in the refuge are particularly important to, and designated as critical habitat for, two endangered birds, Everglades snail kite and wood stork. Native vegetation found on tree islands includes red bay, Dahoon holly, wax myrtle, sawgrass, and a variety of native ferns. Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) threatens to disrupt the integrity of this unique community by displacing native vegetation and increasing the risk of crown fires by growing over the canopy of trees. This project consists of a second treatment of tree islands initially controlled for Lygodium in 1999. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern Category I foliar Rodeo

Tree islands of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.

28 Tree islands overgrown with Lygodium (light green).

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (a.k.a. WCA 1)

29 Loxahatchee NWR/Cypress Swamp Lygodium Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southeast Florida County: Palm Beach PCL: Loxahatchee NWR PCL Size: 147,392 acres Site Manager: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 10216 Lee Road Boynton Beach, Florida 33437 Phone: 561-732-3684, Fax: 561-369-7190 Project ID: SE-010 Project Size: 400 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $110,000 The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (a.k.a. Water Conservation Area 1) is the last northernmost portion of the Everglades, with over 221 square miles of Everglades habitat. In any given year, as many as 257 species of birds may use the refuge’s diverse wetland habitats. The 400 acre Cypress Swamp Unit is the largest remnant of a former wetland community that stretched from the southeast corner of Lake Okeechobee through Palm Beach County and into northern Broward County along the eastern border of the Everglades. This remnant strand swamp lies on the eastern boundary of the NWR, near the refuge headquarters. The swamp is dominated by pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) and a variety of native ferns. Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) threatens to disrupt the integrity of the unique cypress swamp community by displacing native vegetation and increasing the risk of crown fires by growing vertically up the trunks of pond cypress, creating a flame ladder into the crowns of the trees. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide(s) Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern Category I foliar Rodeo

Old World climbing fern overgrowing the canopy in Loxahatchee NWR. 30 Volunteers help to remove invasive exotics found on the Loxahatchee NWR. [Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service]

Cypress Swamp

Cypress Swamp

Cypress Swamp is on the east side of Loxahatchee NWR.

31 Oleta River State Park Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southeast County: Miami-Dade PCL: Oleta River State Park PCL Size: 1032.84 acres Site Manager: Division of Recreation and Parks (FDEP) Oleta River State Park 3400 N.E. 163rd Street North Miami, Florida 33160 Phone: (305) 919-1844, Fax: (305) 919-1845 Project ID: SE-011 Project Size: 14 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $39,700 Bordering the north shore of Biscayne Bay, Oleta River State Park encompasses the mouth of its namesake, as well as hundreds of aces of mangroves and tidal swamp. The project site is Maritime Hammock that is infested with Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, and other exotics. Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed Category I foliar Rodeo Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant Category I hand pull n/a

A tree feller-buncher removing Australian pines.

A tree skidder collecting cut pines.

32 Deering West Hammock Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southeast County: Miami-Dade PCL: Charles Deering Estate PCL Size: 458 acres Site Manager: Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation 275 N.W. 2nd Street Miami, Florida 33128 Phone: (305) 755-7947, Fax: (305) 755-7951 Project ID: SE-015 Project Size: 19.4 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $98,590 The Charles Deering Estate (a.k.a. The Deering Estate at Cutler) contains pine rockland, tropical hardwood hammock, bottomland forest, tidal swamp, salt marsh, and beach dune natural communities. The property hosts 23 listed animal and 61 listed plant species. All of the property except for the project site has received initial treatment for exotics in the past. The project site, Deering West Hammock, is infested with Brazilian pepper and several other exotic species. The hammock is composed of the typical subtropical hardwood species found in south Florida, such as poisonwood, red bay, gumbo limbo, strangler fig, cocoplum, and spicewood. A state-listed endangered plant, bitterbush (Picramnia pentandra), also occurs on the site. Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Abrus precatorius rosary pea Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Albizia lebbeck woman’s tongue Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Ardesia elliptica shoebutton ardisia Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Bauhinia variegata orchid tree Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Bischofia javanica bishopwood Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Jasminum dichotomum Gold Coast jasmine Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Jasminum fluminense Brazilian jasmine Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Manilkara zapota sapodilla Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Schefflera actinophylla Queensland umbrella tree Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Adenanthera pavonina red sandalwood Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Leucaena leucocephala lead tree Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Ptychosperma elegans solitary palm Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Terminalia catappa tropical almond Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Alpinia speciosa shell ginger n/a cut stump Garlon 4 Carica papaya papaya n/a cut stump Garlon 4 Carissa macrocarpa natal-plum n/a cut stump Garlon 4 Mangifera indica mango n/a cut stump Garlon 4 Premna odorata fragrant premna n/a cut stump Garlon 4

33 34 Miami-Dade Natural Areas Management staff on a seek-and-destroy mission.

Careful application kills the exotic tree (center) without harming the surrounding native vegetation.

35 Pond Cypress Natural Area Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southeast County: Palm Beach PCL: Pond Cypress Natural Area PCL Size: 1,538 acres Site Manager: Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management 3323 Belvedere Road West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 Phone: 561-233-2400 Project ID: SE-016 Project Size: 1,100 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $248,000 The Pond Cypress Natural Area consists of a mosaic of high quality pine flatwoods, wetlands, and other native plant communities. This property was purchased by Palm Beach County as the best remaining example of a flatwoods/wetlands complex in the central part of the county. Snail kite, wood stork, Florida sandhill crane, and twelve other listed animals are recorded for the site. Twenty-nine listed plant species are known from the site, including five orchids and seven ferns. This is a cost share project with Palm Beach County providing $148,000 in matching funds. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4 Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca Category I cut stump Arsenal Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern Category I foliar Rodeo Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia Category I foliar Rodeo Wedelia trilobata wedelia Category II foliar Rodeo

36 37 Melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, and Australian pine trees are serious threats to natural cypress wetlands. Manual removal is often required for restoration.

38 City of Naples/Anthony Park Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southwest Florida County: Lee PCL: Anthony Park PCL Size: 6.64 acres Site Manager: City of Naples 275 Thirteenth Street, North Naples, Florida 34102 Phone: 941-434-4789, Fax: 941-262-5640 Project ID: SW-004 Project Size: 0.5 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $18,840

The Charles C. Anthony Park is located on the Gordon River, near the center of Naples. Red mangroves along the river provide shelter for birds and aquatic animals. The park originated from a donation of 4.84 acres to the city in the 70s. The city later added 1.8 acres of land and undertook improvement of the property, including two contracted removals of exotic species from the site. This is a cost-share project with BIPM paying $5,000 of a total project cost of $18,840. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I mechanical n/a Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I mechanical n/a

39 Lovers Key SRA Beach Dune Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southwest Florida County: Lee PCL: Lovers Key SRA PCL Size: 872acres Site Manager: DEP-Division of Recreation and Parks Lovers Key State Recreation Area 8700 Estero Boulevard Ft. Myers Beach, Florida 33931 Phone: 941-463-4588, Fax: 941-463-8851 Project ID: SW-009 Project Size: 24 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $24,000 Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Recreation Area consists primarily of four coastal barrier islands, Black Island, Lovers Key, Inner Key and Long Key, located between Ft. Myers Beach and Bonita Beach, specifically lying between Big Carlos Pass to the north and New Pass to the south. The park is comprised mostly of beach and beach dune communities with canals and tidal lagoons fringed by mangrove swamp on its east side, which is contiguous with the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. Lovers Key is the westernmost island and contains the only Gulf beach in the park. The project area is an approximately one mile long stretch of beach dune. The total area of infestation is approximately 24 acres with 70% coverage of Australian pine and 15% coverage of mature Brazilian pepper. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine, adult Category I girdle/spray Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine, imm. Category I basal Garlon 4 Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4

Native vegetation re-establishing under a thinning Treating Brazilian pepper. canopy of dead Australian pines.

40 41 Estero Bay/Dog Key Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southwest Florida County: Lee PCL: Estero Bay State Buffer Preserve PCL Size: 8,440 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Estero Bay Aquatic and State Buffer Preserves 700-1 Fisherman’s Wharf Ft. Myers Beach, Florida 33931 Phone: 941-463-3240, Fax: 941-463-3634 Project ID: SW-010 Project Size: 24 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $10,800 Estero Bay is one of the most productive estuaries in the state. Much of the 8440-acre Estero Bay State Buffer Preserve is composed of mangrove swamps, salt marsh, and salt flats that front the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve (11,300 acres). These wetlands help maintain the high water quality in the Preserve. Dog Key is a 24-acre shell mound and mangrove swamp island. The island rim is infested with Brazilian pepper and seaside mahoe, while the interior has minor infestations of guava, night-blooming cereus, and Brazilian pepper. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe Category I basal Garlon 4 Psidium guajava guava Category I basal Garlon 4 Cereus undatus night-blooming cereus Category II basal Garlon 4 Kalanchoe pinnata life plant n/a basal Garlon 4

42 Charlotte Harbor/East Cape Haze Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southwest Florida County: Charlotte PCL: Charlotte Harbor State Buffer Preserve PCL Size: 43,614 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Charlotte Harbor Aquatic & State Buffer Preserves 122301 Burnt Store Road Punta Gorda, Florida 33955 Phone: 941-575-5861, Fax: 941-575-5863 Project ID: SW-012 Project Size: 4,074 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $290,000

Charlotte Harbor is one of the largest and most productive estuaries in the state. Much of the area is composed of mangrove swamps, salt marsh, and salt flats. The uplands are dry prairie and scrubby flatwoods. The area supports a diversity of wildlife, including the endangered Florida scrub jay, bald eagle, and the West Indian manatee. While much of the buffer preserve remains in a natural condition, melaleuca stands are dense in the disturbed areas. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide(s) Melaleuca quinquenervia Melaleuca Category I cut stump Arsenal/Rodeo

43 J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Southwest Florida County: Lee PCL: “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge PCL Size: 6,315 acres Site Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge 1 Wildlife Drive Sanibel, Florida 33957 Phone: 941-472-3700, Fax: 941-472-3065 Project ID: SW-014 Project Size: 600 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $85,296

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge abuts Pine Island Sound and encompasses the north side of Sanibel Island, a barrier island off the coast of Ft. Myers. Ding Darling NWR is well known as a birders’ paradise and is one of the most heavily visited refuges in the country, with approximately 800,000 visitors each year. The island serves as nesting or roosting habitat to a wide array of rare species, as well as serving as an important stop along the migratory songbird flyway. Brazilian pepper threatens the upland communities of the Refuge, including some of the finest examples of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock and live oak hammock remaining in southwest Florida. The City of Sanibel is pursuing this project as part of its Island-wide Brazilian Pepper Eradication Program. The City is providing in-kind contributions of $32,843 in addition to the DEP funding of $85,296. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4 Syzygium cumini Java plum Category I basal Garlon 4 Leucaena leucocephala lead tree Category II basal Garlon 4 Agave sisalana agave Category II basal Garlon 4

44 45 Shamrock Park Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Sun Coast County: Sarasota PCL: Shamrock Park PCL Size: 82 acres Site Manager: Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Shamrock Park and Nature Center 3900 Shamrock Drive Venice, Florida 34293 Phone: 941-486-2706, Fax: 941-486-2741 Project ID: SC-000 Project Size: 24.92 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $24,300 Shamrock Park sits on the Intracoastal Waterway and contains coastal oak scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and freshwater swamp. Florida scrub-jays are found on the site. Brazilian pepper is scattered throughout the park, with dense infestation along two main drainage ditches. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4

46 Terra Ceia/Haley Mansion Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Sun Coast County: Manatee PCL: Terra Ceia State Buffer Preserve PCL Size: 1,424.08 Site Manager: DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Tampa Bay Aquatic & Buffer Preserves 3804 Coconut Palm Avenue Tampa, Florida 33619 Phone: 813-744-6100, Fax: 813-744-6090 Project ID: SC-004b Project Size: 15 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $7,000 Haley Mansion is a 15-acre site within the larger Terra Ceia State Buffer Preserve in Manatee County. The property is owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and managed by the DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas. This project entails chipping of plant debris, primarily Australian pine and Brazilian pepper trees, from a prior control project (SC-004). Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I mechanical n/a Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I mechanical n/a

47 Wolf Branch Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Sun Coast County: Hillsborough PCL: Wolf Branch ELAPP Nature Preserve PCL Size: 1126.80 Site Manager: Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation 10940 McMullen Road Riverview, Florida 33569 Phone: 813-672-7876, Fax: 813-672-7880 Project ID: SC-006 Project Size: 58.5 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $58,950 Wolf Branch Creek, mangroves, and salterns are the natural features of this local preserve. The 1100- acre project site was acquired by the Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program in 1993 with the specific intent to accomplish ecological restoration on the parcel. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has created and enhanced 315 acres of freshwater and estuarine wetlands on the property and removed exotic plants (primarily dense Brazilian pepper and Australian pine) from the remaining 275 acres of uplands. Funding for this project was provided by the SWFWMD Alafia River Basin Board, State of Florida SWIM Program, DEP Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. BIPM funding was used to control Brazilian pepper on four areas of the site and Australian pine, which is widely scattered in two areas (general project area in yellow on lower photo at right). Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4

48 49 Lake Seminole Park Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Sun Coast County: Pinellas PCL: Lake Seminole Park PCL Size: 255 Site Manager: Pinellas County Park Department 10015 74th Avenue North Seminole, Florida 33777 Phone: 727-549-6156, Fax: 727-549-6158 Project ID: SC-008 Project Size: 84.6 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $28,885.84 Lake Seminole Park is a 255-acre tract of mostly pine flatwoods that is used for passive recreation. The park is infested with air-potato on at least 100 acres of flatwoods, with the vine also spreading to other pockets of scattered natural vegetation. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato Category I basal/cut stem Garlon 4

50 Egmont Key Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Sun Coast County: Hillsborough PCL: Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge PCL Size: 272.43 Site Manager: Division of Recreation and Parks (FDEP) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1502 SE Kings Bay Drive Crystal River, Florida 34429 Phone: 352-563-2088, Fax: 352-795-7961 Project ID: SC-009 Project Size: 40 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $6,000

Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge and State Park is a 350-acre barrier island located within Tampa Bay. The refuge was established in 1974 to preserve and protect barrier island habitat and historical structures of national significance. The island is owned by the USFWS and managed by the DEP Division of Recreation and Parks. Due to a lack of predators, Egmont Key has an unusually abundant population of Florida box turtle (Terrapene carolina baurii). This project is part of an ongoing effort to remove Brazilian pepper from the island. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4

51 Emerson Point Australian Pine Removal Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Sun Coast County: Manatee PCL: Emerson Point Conservation Park PCL Size: 250.6 Site Manager: Manatee County Conservation Lands Division 2649 Rawls Road Duette, Florida 33834 Phone: 941-776-2295, Fax: 941-742-5972 Project ID: SC-011 Project Size: 18.8 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $88,460 The Emerson Point Conservation Park is a 198-acre property located in northwest Manatee County. The property is owned by the State of Florida and leased to Manatee county. This project will entail mechanical removal of Australian pine trees from within the park. The project area consists of seven parcels ranging in size from <1 acre to 15.8 acres. Treatment will include basal bark application, cut stump, and cutting and chipping, depending upon the site. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4

52 Green Turtle Beach Pine Stump Removal Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: St. Lucie PCL: Green Turtle Beach PCL Size: n/a Site Manager: St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District 2300 Virginia Avenue Ft. Pierce, FL 34954-0760 Phone: 561-462-1685, Fax: 561-462-1940 Project ID: TC-001b Project Size: n/a Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $2,800

The St. Lucie beaches are important to the protection of endangered sea turtles, their nesting beaches, and other coastal habitats. This project consists of removing Australian pine stumps that were exposed by beach erosion. The stumps were remains of a prior control project in 1999 to treat Australian pines on the site. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I mechanical n/a

53 North Fork/Galleon Lane Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: St. Lucie PCL: North Fork St. Lucie River State Buffer Preserve PCL Size: 987.31 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Southeast Florida Aquatic Preserves 1801 SE Hillmoor Drive Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Phone: 561-398-2806, Fax: 561-398-2815 Project ID: TC-010 Project Size: 81 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $66,416.97 Predominantly comprised of floodplain forest, hydric hammock, and basin marsh along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, this buffer preserve also contains high quality mesic flatwoods and smaller areas of scrub and sandhill. The Galleon Lane site (see arrow on map) is composed of basin marsh and maritime hammock. Two tidal creek tributaries of the North Fork St. Lucie River cross the site. The creek banks are heavily infested with Brazilian pepper. Other exotics are lightly scattered throughout the site.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal/cut stump Garlon 4

54

55 Kings Island Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: St. Lucie PCL: Kings Island Preserve PCL Size: 173 acres Site Manager: St. Lucie County Leisure Services 2300 Virginia Avenue Ft. Pierce, Florida 34982 Phone: 561-462-1685, Fax: 561-462-1565 Project ID: TC-011 Project Size: 30 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $26,000

Hutchinson Island is a significant coastal barrier island and sea turtle nesting area. Kings Island Preserve (f.k.a. Fish House Cove) is a mosquito control impoundment containing mangrove swamp and maritime hammock. Hammock species include seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), pigeon plum (Coccoloba laurifolia), torchwood (Amyris elemifera), and limber caper (Capparis flexuosa). St. Lucie County provided an in-kind match of $3,000 in herbicides and adjuvants for this project.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal/cut stump Garlon 4

56 Hobe Sound Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: Martin PCL: Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge PCL Size: 980.15 acres Site Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 645 13640 SE Federal Highway Hobe Sound, Florida 33455 Phone: 561-546-6141, Fax: 561-545-7572 Project ID: TC-012 Project Size: 181 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $8,760 Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge contains 2.5 miles of beach dune that is an important sea turtle nesting area, as well as mangrove swamp and coastal strand communities. The dunes are being invaded by beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea), which threatens the native Scaevola, inkberry (S. plumieri). The proposal called for the treatment of all invasive exotic plants, listed in the table below, on 2 miles of refuge beach tract north of the beach parking lot and including a 350-foot swath west of the primary dune (see area outlined in yellow on aerial photo). The contractor initially cleared dense thickets of Brazilian pepper and beach naupaka using both a Gyro-Trac and a bulldozer with front end mulching and chopping attachments. After initial treatments, ground crews treated Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and beach naupaka using a basal bark or cut stump treatment followed by application of herbicide. Secondary treatments were completed by mid-2001 including planting of native inkberry. The contractor succeeded in opening up several native oak strands. Removal of the dense Brazilian pepper will make staff re-treatments cost effective and efficient. Refuge staff will continue to maintain the site free of invasive exotic plants. Recruitment of native dune vegetation and palmetto is occurring rapidly. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4 Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe Category I basal Garlon 4 Scaevola sericea beach naupaka Category I foliar Garlon 4 Jasminum fluminense Brazilian jasmine Category I foliar Garlon 4 Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood Category I cut stump Garlon 4

57 An area of dense Brazilian pepper cleared with a Gyro-Trac, a brushcutting track vehicle. 58 Dense beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea) and other exotics prior to treatment…

and after. 59 Fort Pierce Inlet Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: St. Lucie PCL: Fort Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area PCL Size: 1,140.77 acres Site Manager: Division of Recreation and Parks (FDEP) Fort Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area 905 Shorewinds Drive Ft. Pierce, Florida 34949 Phone: 561-468-4007, Fax: 561-460-3646 Project ID: TC-013 Project Size: 48 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $34,058.48

This barrier island park contains beach, dune, and coastal hammock communities, as well as a mangrove impoundment and a large spoil area. The beach is an important area for shorebirds. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4

60 St. Sebastian River/Indian River Lagoon Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: Indian River PCL: St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve PCL Size: 21,944 acres Indian River Lagoon-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve 27,800 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve 1000 Buffer Preserve Drive Fellsmere, Florida 32948 Phone: 407-953-5004, Fax: 407-953-5006 Project ID: TC-014 Project Size: 92 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $82,168

The Buffer Preserve was originated to protect the St. Sebastian River, but has been expanded to protect a significant area of high quality uplands. Predominantly mesic pine flatwoods, natural communities also include sandhill, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, bottomland forest, strand swamp, basin swamp, and depression marsh. The Aquatic Preserve protects a portion of the Indian River Lagoon estuary, one of the areas of highest biodiversity in North America. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4 Psidium cattleianum strawberry guava Category I foliar Garlon 4

61 Danforth Creek Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: Martin PCL: Danforth Site PCL Size: 27 acres Site Manager: Martin County Parks and Recreation 2401 S.E. Monterey Road Stuart, Florida 34996 Phone: 561-288-5476, Fax: 561-221-1333 Project ID: TC-015 Project Size: 27 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $50,000 This passive recreation site includes sand pine scrub, oak hammock, mesic pine flatwoods, and freshwater marsh. Florida sandhill cranes are a frequent visitor. Total funding was $33,000 from BIPM and $17,000 from Martin County’s ESL program. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle Category I basal Garlon 4 Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca Category I cut stump Arsenal Psidium cattleianum strawberry guava Category I foliar Garlon 4 Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern Category I foliar Rodeo Wedelia trilobata wedelia Category II foliar Rodeo

Invasive exotic plants such as climbing fern (left) reduce native biodiversity, but also detract from the scenic beauty of our native landscapes. A south Florida pine flatwoods is more appealing to people (and wildlife) after the exotics have been removed (below).

62 63 Peck Lake Park Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: Martin PCL: Peck Lake Park PCL Size: 70 acres Site Manager: Martin County Parks and Recreation 2401 S.E. Monterey Road Stuart, Florida 34996 Phone: 561-288-5476, Fax: 561-221-1333 Project ID: TC-016 Project Size: 40 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $47,000 This parcel, owned by the Florida Inland Navigation District, contains scrubby flatwoods, xeric hammock, hydric hammock, baygall, and mangrove swamp. Total funding was $35,000 from BIPM and $12,000 from Martin County’s ESL program. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Abrus precatorius rosary pea Category I foliar Rodeo Wedelia trilobata wedelia Category II foliar Rodeo

64 Climbing ferns (Lygodium spp.) have become a major problem throughout the state…

and require an ongoing control effort to prevent reinfestation.

65 Beachwalk Pasley Site Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: Martin PCL: Beachwalk PCL Size: 17 acres Site Manager: Martin County Parks and Recreation 2401 S.E. Monterey Road Stuart, Florida 34996 Phone: 561-288-5476, Fax: 561-221-1333 Project ID: TC-017 Project Size: 13 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $27,000 This passive recreation site stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River Lagoon and includes beach dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock, and mangrove swamp. The beach is a sea turtle nesting area. Total funding is $17,000 from BIPM and $10,000 from Martin County. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal Garlon 4 Scaevola sericea beach naupaka Category I foliar Garlon 4 Sanseverieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp Category II basal Garlon 4 Terminalia catappa tropical almond Category II basal Garlon 4 Ricinus communis castor bean Category II basal Garlon 4

66 Australian pines (left) are a common problem on beachfront properties. The trees prevent other vegetation from growing in the understory, so removal (below) is necessary for restoration.

67 De La Bahia Island/St. Lucie River Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Treasure Coast County: St. Lucie PCL: North Fork St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve PCL Size: 6,100 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Southeast Florida Aquatic and Buffer Preserves 9737 Gumbo Limbo Lane Jensen Beach, Florida 34957 Phone: 561-873-6590, Fax: 561-873-6599 Project ID: TC-018 Project Size: 1 acre Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $6,500 The project site is a spoil island in the St. Lucie River. Vultures nesting in Australian pines were creating a nuisance for a condominium across the river from the island. The condominium association agreed to a public/private partnership to remove the pines from the island, thus killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. Funding was $3,250 from BIPM and $3,250 from the De La Bahia Condominium Association. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I cut stump Garlon 4

68 Highlands Hammock Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: West Central County: Highlands PCL: Highlands Hammock State Park PCL Size: 8,140.42 acres Site Manager: Division of Recreation and Parks (FDEP) Highlands Hammock State Park 5931 Hammock Road Sebring, Florida 33872 Phone: 863-386-6099, Fax: 863-386-6095 Project ID: WC-003 Project Size: 5 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $12,000

Highlands Hammock State Park hosts Florida’s oldest and most endangered natural community, Lake Wales Ridge sand pine scrub, as well as old growth hardwood hammock, pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, cypress swamp, bayhead, and depression marsh. The Florida scrub-jay is also found on the park.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Pro Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato Category I foliar Garlon 3a

69 LP Ranch/Lake Kissimmee Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: West Central County: Polk PCL: Lake Kissimmee State Park PCL Size: 5,933.95 acres Site Manager: Division of Recreation and Parks (FDEP) Lake Wales Ridge GEOpark 14248 Camp Mack Road Lake Wales, Florida 33853 Phone: 863-696-1112, Fax: 863-696-2656 Project ID: WC-004 Project Size: 896 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $1,126.11 Lake Kissimmee State Park is bordered on three sides by lakes and streams. Natural communities include pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, wet flatwoods, xeric hammock, hydric hammock, baygall, and floodplain marsh. The LP Ranch tract is a mix of pasture and wetland communities. This project was an in-kind share with DRP providing all labor and equipment, at a value of $4,072. BIPM provided the herbicide. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Solanum viarum tropical soda apple Category I foliar Roundup Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4

The LP Ranch Tract at Lake Kissimmee State Park.

70 Withlacoochee SF/Chinsegut WEA Cogon Grass Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Withlacoochee Region County: Hernando PCL: Withlacoochee State Forest–Croom Tract PCL Size: 21,639 acres Chinsegut Wildlife & Environmental Area PCL Size: 1179 acres Site Manager(s): Division of Forestry Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Withlacoochee Forestry Center 23212 Lake Lindsey Road 15019 Broad Street Brooksville, Florida 34601 Brooksville, Florida 34601 Phone: 352-754-6722, Fax: 352-540-6032 Phone: 352-754-6777, Fax: 352-754-6751 Project ID: WR-012/013 Project Size: 70 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $47,068.71

The Withlacoochee State Forest is comprised of seven large tracts covering 147,893 acres in four counties. The Croom Tract is 21,639 acres of sandhill and riverine wetlands associated with the Withlacoochee River, an Outstanding Florida Water. The Withlacoochee State Trail passes through six miles of the tract. Two Wildlife and Environmental Areas (WEA) managed by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are contiguous with the Croom Tract: Chinsegut WEA (1179 acres) and Perry Oldenburg Mitigation Park WEA (380 acres). Both WEA are similar to the State Forest in natural community composition. The state trail (an old Rails-to-Trails project) and numerous highways cross-sectioning the state forest have encouraged invasion of the Category I weed cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) from road right- of-ways into adjacent natural areas. This project includes the retreatment (WR-012) of 35 acres of cogon grass throughout the Croom Tract, state trail, and two WEA, which was initiated in the prior fiscal year. The project also includes initial treatment and retreatment (WR-013) of another 35 acres of cogon grass, within the same general geographic area.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Pro

71 Boulware Springs Park Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Withlacoochee Region County: Alachua PCL: Boulware Springs PCL Size: 108 acres Site Manager: City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks 1024 NE 14th Street, Building A Gainesville, Florida 32602 Phone: 352-334-2231, Fax: 352-334-2234 Project ID: WR-014 Project Size: 108 acres Fiscal Year: 00/01 Project Cost: $12,549.61 Boulware Springs Park serves as the trailhead of the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. The park is contiguous with Paynes Prairie State Preserve and Boulware Springs Run discharges into the preserve. The park contains mesic flatwoods, upland mixed forest, seepage stream, and spring run natural communities. Boulware Springs is a fourth-magnitude spring with an average discharge of 300,000 gallons/day. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Ardisia crenata coral ardisia Category I basal Garlon 4 Dioscorea bulbifera air potato Category I basal Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Pro Ligustrum lucidum glossy privet Category II basal Garlon 4

Volunteers help with the Great Air Potato Roundup at Boulware Springs Park in Gainesville, Florida.

72 73 Silver River Cogon Grass Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Withlacoochee Region County: Marion PCL: Silver River State Park PCL Size: 4,230.06 acres Site Manager: DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Silver River State Park 1425 NE 58th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34470 Phone: 352-236-7148, Fax: 352-667-7150 Project ID: WR-016 Project Size: 100 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $8,200 Silver River is a first magnitude spring-fed stream that flows into the Ocklawaha River. The park encompasses the river and over fourteen natural community types. Cogon grass is invading the high quality, endangered sandhill in the park. The project area covers 100 acres over which cogon grass occurs in various concentrations from relatively continuous coverage to small distinct patches. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Pro

Cogon grass is considered by some to be the “world’s worst weed.”

Although these patches appear quite dead, re-treatment is usually necessary.

74 Cross Florida Greenway Invasive Exotic Plant Control Working Group: Withlacoochee Region County: Marion PCL: Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway PCL Size: 81,290 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Greenways and Trails Star Route 1, Box 4 Palatka, Florida 32178 Phone: 904-329-3575, Fax: 904-329-3555 Project ID: WR-018 Project Size: 94 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $13,711.50 The Cross Florida Greenway evolved from a proposed shipping canal to a proposed barge canal to a realized state recreation and conservation area. The Greenway is a 110-mile linear park that crosses four counties. The project area lies within an area excavated for the canal in Marion County. This area of “diggings” is ¾ mile long and 1 mile wide. The project area is comprised of several sites that total 94 acres. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup

75 National Park Service Projects National Park Service (NPS) units in Florida have been actively controlling invasive exotic plants since the 1960s. In 2000, NPS established four Exotic Plant Management Teams (EPMT) to control invasive exotic plants on federal conservation lands. The EPMT are modeled after the "strike teams" used by the U.S. Forest Service to fight forest wildfires. Each highly trained, mobile strike force of plant management specialists stands ready to assist the national parks in the control of invasive exotic plants. The EPMT were created through NPS' Natural Resource Challenge. While other EPMT rely on in-house crews, the efforts in Florida reflect the flexibility of the EPMT concept. All work in Florida is accomplished through a partnership with the Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program, which resides in the state's Department of Environmental Protection. Through this program, the State of Florida matched each Challenge dollar spent to control exotic plants in Florida's eleven National Park units. Exotic plant control work in Florida is conducted under contractual agreement with private companies, allowing for reduced cost and increased efficiency. In FY 2001, control projects were conducted on 1,100 acres of Park lands. Due to the success of the Florida Partnership, this program is being expanded for FY 2002. The success of the EPMT concept will rely upon building public and private partnerships to efficiently prevent, control, and manage damaging exotic species now and into the future. Exotic weeds recognize no boundaries and cooperative efforts are critical to addressing invasive species and protecting public natural areas. The Florida Partnership EPMT is involved with over 100 federal, state, regional, and local cooperators, and is broadening its participation with others. For example, the EPMT helped organize the new South Biscayne Bay Exotic Plant Management Working Group, which includes representatives from Biscayne NP, the State of Florida, Miami-Dade County, the Nature Conservancy, and Florida Power and Light. The EPMT has also initiated two agreements with the South Florida Water Management District-one for monitoring exotic plants in south Florida and one that will allow District contractors to treat exotic weeds within Everglades National Park. And, the EPMT prepared a successful proposal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on behalf of Everglades NP that has resulted in a five-year, $700,000 commitment from the Corps to fund exotic plant control in habitat of the federally endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow. More information can be found at the NPS EPMT web site: http://www.nature.nps.gov/epmt.

Big Cypress/Turner River Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Collier, Monroe PCL: Big Cypress National Preserve PCL Size: 729,000 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Big Cypress National Preserve 33100 Tamiami Trail E. Ochopee, Florida 34139 Phone: 941-695-4111, Fax: 941-695-3493 Project ID: NP-001 Project Size: 15.69 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $28,242

76 Turner River is a meandering stream that originates in the mixed cypress swamp of the Big Cypress National Preserve and empties into Chokoloskee Estuary in Everglades National Park (ENP). Turner River is one of the most important natural resource features in Big Cypress. Hydrologically, it is a primary source of freshwater discharge to ENP. Ecologically, the channel meanders through a diverse mosaic of ecotypes in ENP and Big Cypress. Over the past decade, several actions have been taken to restore the river region, including adding roadbed culverts and plugging/filling roadside canals and removal of submerged and emergent exotic aquatic vegetation. The area is home to several federally listed endangered species including the Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi). It is a seasonal residence to the endangered wood stork (Mycteria americana) and supports the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) that occurs in the southern portion of Turner River. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $14,121. Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump/basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I cut stump/basal Garlon 4 Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Psidium guajava guava Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Wedelia trilobata wedelia Category II foliar Rodeo

77 Biscayne National Park Casuarina Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Miami-Dade PCL: Biscayne National Park PCL Size: 172,924 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Biscayne National Park 9700 S.W. 328th Street Homestead, Florida 33030 Phone: (305) 230-1144, Fax: (305) 230-1190 Project ID: NP-002 Project Size: 100 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $80,000 Biscayne National Park has approximately 42 islands or keys within the park boundaries. These keys make up the northern extent of the Florida Keys and are mostly oolitic limestone in origin. Some of the smaller keys are mangrove islands only. Most of the larger islands have a mangrove fringe with a sub-tropical hardwood hammock in the interior. The hammock is composed of the typical subtropical hardwood species found in south Florida, such as poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), milkbark (Drypetes diversifolia), pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia), sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), and torchwood (Amyris elimefera). Additionally, a number of state threatened and endangered plants occur, including West Indian Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani, satin leaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme), silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata), red stopper (Eugenia rhombea), and joewood (Jacquinia keyensis). The federally endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus) relies on torchwood and wildlime trees (Zanthoxylum fagara) as host plants for egg-laying and as a juvenile food source. Australian pine may be negatively impacting these species growth and distribution. Biscayne National Park has over 80 species of exotic plants within its boundaries. Of these, 27 species are listed on the Florida EPPC Category I list of most invasive exotic plants. Australian pine is one of the high profile exotics that the park has identified for control/management. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $40,000. Plant Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I cut stump Garlon 4

78 79 Biscayne National Park/Elliott Key Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Miami-Dade PCL: Biscayne National Park PCL Size: 172,924 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Biscayne National Park 9700 S.W. 328th Street Homestead, Florida 33030 Phone: (305) 230-1144, Fax: (305) 230-1190 Project ID: NP-003 Project Size: 10 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $17,000 Biscayne National Park has approximately 42 islands or keys within the park boundaries. These keys make up the northern extent of the Florida Keys and are mostly oolitic limestone in origin. Elliott Key and most of the larger islands have a mangrove fringe with a sub-tropical hardwood hammock in the interior. The hammock is composed of the typical subtropical hardwood species found in south Florida, such as poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), milkbark (Drypetes diversifolia), pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia), sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), and torchwood (Amyris elimefera). Additionally, a number of state threatened and endangered plants occur, including West Indian Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani, satin leaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme), silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata), red stopper (Eugenia rhombea), and joewood (Jacquinia keyensis). The federally listed Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus) and eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) inhabit the key and may be detrimentally affected by lather leaf invasion. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $8,500. Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Colubrina asiatica lather leaf Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Manilkara zapota sapodilla Category I girdle Garlon 4 Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp Category II cut stump Garlon 4

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81 Canaveral National Seashore Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Brevard, Volusia PCL: Canaveral National Seashore PCL Size: 57,661.69 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Canaveral National Seashore 308 Julia Street Titusville, Florida 32796 Phone: (321) 267-1110, Fax: (321) 264-2906 Project ID: NP-004 Project Size: 150 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $140,558 Canaveral National Seashore contains 24 miles of beach, dunes, maritime hammocks, and other coastal natural communities representing one of the least disturbed shorelines in Florida. The Seashore is an important sea turtle nesting area. The project area is a narrow corridor ¾ of a mile wide and 5 miles long, bounded by the Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge on the South and the beach access road to the North. Several dikes extend into the open water and swale areas. Australian pine and Brazilian pepper occur on several abandoned home sites, the dikes, and along the roadway. The upland areas provide habitat for the federally protected Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens) and Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi). Also present is the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), a species of special concern. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $70,279. Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal bark Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal/cut stump Garlon 4

82 De Soto National Memorial Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Manatee PCL: De Soto National Memorial PCL Size: 26.84 acres Site Manager: National Park Service De Soto National Memorial P.O. Box 15390 Bradenton, Florida 34280 Phone: (941) 792-0458, Fax: (941) 792-5094 Project ID: NP-005 Project Size: 24.78 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $5,000

De Soto National Memorial was created as a unit of the National Park System in 1948 with the intent to memorialise the De Soto expedition of 1539-43 through the southeast portion of the United States. The Park preserves a setting along the Manatee River that is representative of the terrain first encountered by the Spanish in their trek. This includes a mangrove swamp, as well as a coastal beach environment. A small part of the park (2 acres) also preserves a portion of a typical palm/oak hammock habitat. Within the boundaries of the site, habitat is provided for two threatened and endangered species, the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) and the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi). This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $2,500. Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Ruellia brittoniana Mexican petunia Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Bischofia javanica bischofia Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Asparagus densiflorus asparagus fern Category I foliar Rodeo Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine Category I foliar Rodeo Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Wedelia trilobata wedelia Category II foliar Rodeo

83 De Soto National Memorial project area (outlined in violet).

84 Everglades/Royal Palm Hammock Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Collier, Dade, Monroe PCL: Everglades National Park PCL Size: 1,507,850 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Everglades National Park 40001 SR 9336 Homestead, Florida 33034 Phone: 305-242-7846, Fax: 305-242-7836 Project ID: NP-006 Project Size: 25 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $30,000 In 1916, the Royal Palm State Park on Paradise Key was created as the first protected area in the Everglades Region. This 4,000-acre (1619 hectare) tract later became the nucleus of Everglades National Park. Until 1947, when the site was acquired by the National Park Service, numerous non-native ornamentals were planted. Many of these ornamentals have escaped and continue to expand, disrupting one of the last few remaining Tropical Hardwood Hammocks in Miami-Dade County, and the only hammock in the county in which the state-listed Royal Palm (Roystonea elata) naturally occurs. Royal Palm Hammock contains a diverse array of trees, including Coccoloba diversifolia, Nectrandra coricea, Lysiloma latisiliqua, Simaruba glauca, Bursera simaruba, Swietnia mahogani, Metopium toxiferum, Exothea paniculata, Mastichodendron foetidissimum, Ardisia escallonioides, Eugenia axillaris, and Psychotria nervosa. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $15,000. Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Manilkara zapota sapodilla Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry Category I foliar Garlon 3a Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine Category I foliar Garlon 3a Tradescantia fluminensis oyster plant Category I foliar Garlon 3a Dioscorea bulbifera air potato Category I foliar Garlon 3a Ficus microcarpa laurel fig Category I girdle Garlon 4 Calophyllum antillanum mast wood Category I girdle Garlon 4 Syzygium jambos rose-apple Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Epipremnum pinnatum pothos Category II cut stump Garlon 4 Epipremnum pinnatum pothos Category II foliar Garlon 3a Nephrolepis falcata fishtail sword fern n/a foliar Garlon 3a Selaginella willdenovii vine spike-moss n/a foliar Garlon 3a ??? spp. running bromeliad n/a foliar Garlon 3a Furcraea cabuya Central American sisal n/a cut stump Garlon 4 Citrus spp. citrus n/a cut stump Garlon 4 Carica papaya papaya n/a hand pull n/a

85 86 Gulf Islands National Seashore Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Escambia, Santa Rosa PCL: Gulf Islands National Seashore PCL Size: 66,549.24 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Gulf Islands National Seashore 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561 Phone: (850) 934-2617, Fax: (850) 934-2653 Project ID: NP-008 Project Size: 165 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $20,343.86

Gulf Islands National Seashore contains 150 miles of beach, dunes, and other coastal natural communities stretching from Mississippi to Florida. The Seashore is also a sea turtle nesting area. Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica) has invaded several habitat types including secondary dunes and areas associated with disturbances such as coastal forts, campgrounds, and rights-of-way. Many of these areas are located adjacent to dunes areas. The dune habitat is important to a variety of species, including threatened or endangered species such as Perdido Key beach mouse and green sea turtle. Other species with declining populations such as Santa Rosa beach mouse, least tern, and snowy plover also depend on dune habitat within the Seashore. Eradicating dense stands of cogon grass will restore open areas preferred by these species. Cogon grass also threatens several state-listed plants, and a rare insect. Only a few populations of the recently discovered, solitary bee species Hesperapis oraria (Gulf Coast bee) have been found. The population of this ground nesting species identified in the Ft. Pickens area inhabits a relatively open area close to a stand of cogon grass. Patches of cogon grass occur along Highway 98, which bisects the Naval Live Oaks area of the Seashore for approximately 4 miles. The adjacent habitat is characterized by long leaf pines and supports populations of gopher tortoise. Chinese tallow occurs in and bordering wetlands in the Ft. Pickens area. Alligators, wading birds, peregrine falcon, and other species depend on these areas for habitat. Chinese tallow is also found near the borders of the Naval Live Oaks area, where it spread from lawns in adjacent residential areas. The Naval Live Oaks area is characterized by long leaf pine and supports gopher tortoises. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $10,171.93 Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal bark Garlon 4 Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Pro Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal bark Garlon 4 Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Category I cut stem Garlon 4 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I cut stem Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal bark Garlon 4 Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Category II cut stem Garlon 4

87 88 Biscayne National Park Black Point/Convoy Point Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Miami-Dade PCL: Biscayne National Park PCL Size: 172,924 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Biscayne National Park 9700 S.W. 328th Street Homestead, Florida 33030 Phone: (305) 230-1144, Fax: (305) 230-1190 Project ID: NP-009 Project Size: 100 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $10,000

Biscayne National Park (BNP) has approximately 42 islands or keys within the park boundaries. BNP has over 80 species of exotic plants within its boundaries. Of these, 27 species are listed on the Florida EPPC Category I list of most invasive exotic plants. At Black Point Park (a county park), BNP owns and maintains a jetty where visitors regularly come for fishing and bird watching. This jetty was recently renovated and exotic plants were removed and representative native plants were planted. Currently, exotic plants are re-growing on this jetty. Exotic plants that are present and most invasive include, Thespesia populnea (seaside mahoe), Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper), Colubrina asiatica (lather leaf), Casuarina equisetifolia (Australian pine), Neyraudia reynaudiana (Burma reed), and Scaevola sericea (half flower); all Category I species. Native species that are present include Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove), Laguncularia racemosa (white mangrove), Avicennia germinans (black mangrove), Conocarpus erectus (buttonwood), Borrichia arborescens (seaside daisy), Borrichia frutescens (seaside oxeye), Dodonaea viscosa (varnishleaf), Coccoloba uvifera (seagrape), Sesuvium portulacastrum (seapurslane), Ipomea pescaprae (railroad vine), and Ficus aurea (strangler fig). Convoy Point is the site of the park headquarters, visitor center, and mainland maintenance facilities. The park maintains this area with native vegetation that would be representative of island communities. In 1994, BNP staff removed all exotic plants at Convoy Point. Since that time, exotic plants have re- grown and re-sprouted. The same species of exotics and natives that occur at Black Point also occur at Convoy Point with additional planted native species. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $5,000. Plant Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Colubrina asiatica lather leaf Category I cut stump Garlon 4

89 90 Biscayne National Park/Sands Key Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Miami-Dade PCL: Biscayne National Park PCL Size: 172,924 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Biscayne National Park 9700 S.W. 328th Street Homestead, Florida 33030 Phone: (305) 230-1144, Fax: (305) 230-1190 Project ID: NP-010 Project Size: 417 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $41,700 Biscayne National Park has approximately 42 islands or keys within the park boundaries. These keys make up the northern extent of the Florida Keys and are mostly oolitic limestone in origin. Some of the smaller keys are mangrove islands only. Sands Key, like most of the larger islands, has a mangrove fringe with a sub-tropical hardwood hammock in the interior. These hammocks are composed of the typical subtropical hardwood species found in south Florida, such as poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), milkbark (Drypetes diversifolia), pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia), sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), and torchwood (Amyris elimefera). A number of state threatened and endangered plants also occur, including West Indian Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani), satin leaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme), silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata), red stopper (Eugenia rhombea), and joewood (Jacquinia keyensis). Additionally, the White-crowned pigeon (Columba leucocephala), a state threatened species, uses this island as critical habitat and may potentially nest on the island. Federally listed species may include the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), and the Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus). Sands Key is invaded with a variety of exotic vegetation, predominantly including Casuarina equisetifolia (Australian pine), Colubrina asiatica (lather leaf), Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper), Neyraudia reynaudiana (Burma reed), Scaevola sericea (half flower), and Thespesia populnea (seaside mahoe); all Category I species as identified by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $20,850.

Plant Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Colubrina asiatica lather leaf Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Scaevola sericea half flower Category I cut stump Garlon 4 Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed Category I foliar Rodeo

91

92 Big Cypress National Preserve Casuarina Invasive Exotic Plant Control National Parks County: Collier, Monroe PCL: Big Cypress National Preserve PCL Size: 729,000 acres Site Manager: National Park Service Big Cypress National Preserve 33100 Tamiami Trail E. Ochopee, Florida 34139 Phone: 941-695-4111, Fax: 941-695-3493 Project ID: NP-011 Project Size: 20 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $30,000

Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) has several remaining sites containing Casuarina spp. The purpose of this project to treat those remaining areas and bring Casuarina to a maintenance level within BCNP. These treatments will complement the ongoing melaleuca control efforts currently in effect within BCNP. Casuarina has invaded several upland communities, most often areas that have been cleared and used by people in the past. Casuarina previously was planted as a landscape element and may have persisted in such areas, or it may have seeded in to become the dominant tree canopy. These trees commonly invade disturbed areas and form dense monoculture stands that effectively exclude native plants. As many areas within the preserve have become disturbed through human activities (e.g., roadsides, canal banks, etc.), removing the remaining Casuarina will effectively eliminate seed sources within BCNP. This will help to allow native species to naturally colonize areas that offer opportunities for ruderal species recruitment. The project area is home to several federally endangered species, including the Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi), wood stork (Mycteria americana), and red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Florida panthers and red-cockaded woodpeckers partly depend on upland communities during some parts of their life histories. Uplands that have received some form of disturbance (e.g., drainage) are areas in which Casuarina may become successfully established. Removing this exotic seed source may help prevent compromises to these communities. This project is a 50%-50% cost-share, with the National Park Service contributing $15,000. Plants Treated Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal bark Garlon 4

93 FL. EPM T FY 00 Proposal 2

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94 Melaleuca Program Melaleuca Management—The District has been actively engaged in controlling nuisance vegetation in the Everglades Protection Area (EPA) since the canal and levees were constructed in the early 1950s. In 1972, the Florida Conservation Foundation published in its monthly newsletter several paragraphs regarding the invasion of three exotic trees in Florida: melaleuca, Australian pine and Brazilian pepper. In 1975, two public interagency workshops sponsored by Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission were held to determine ways to control melaleuca in South Florida. A continuation of these workshops led to the formation of the Exotic Pest Plant Council in 1984, and the Melaleuca Task force in 1990. Subsequently, the District initiated a major melaleuca control program in the Everglades Conservation Areas. Melaleuca continues to be the primary target of the District’s exotic plant control operation within the EPA. District efforts to control melaleuca, along with those of other governmental agencies and private groups, are containing its spread within the Everglades Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) and the marsh of Lake Okeechobee. Melaleuca has been completely cleared from Water Conservation Area 2A, 3A, and 3B, north and south of Alligator Alley. These areas are now under “maintenance control.” Today, the melaleuca infestation is no longer increasing; in many areas it is being reduced. Funding—The District’s melaleuca control funding is derived from several sources (Table 1). In the past eleven years, $21,862,794 has been budgeted by the District to fight melaleuca infestations. Approximately $12,762,794 (58%) of this amount has come from sources other than District resources. These include the Florida Power and Light mitigation funds (FP&L), the Surface Water Improvement and Management fund (SWIM), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) cost-sharing program; with District ad valorem taxes providing the balance. SWIM and USACE funds are available for work in Lake Okeechobee only. Several of the current funding sources may be unable to continue supporting the project in future years. SWIM funding was lost in 1996 and the FP&L support ceased in 1994. Fortunately, the FDEP, the USACE, and the District are continuing to fund the project. Continued availability of funds is essential for the continued success of the melaleuca management program. At the current level of funding, melaleuca could be eliminated from the Everglades Water Conservation Areas and the marshes of Lake Okeechobee within the next ten years. FY FP&L FDEP MITIGATION SWIM USACE DISTRICT TOTAL 91 $500,000 -- -- $300,000 -- $170,000 $970,000 92 $500,000 ------$250,000 $750,000 93 $500,000 -- -- $200,000 -- $800,000 $1,500,000 94 -- $400,000 -- $200,000 -- $885,000 $1,485,000 95 -- $1,000,000 -- $400,000 -- $885,000 $2,285,000 96 -- $1,000,000 -- $400,000 $68,000 $885,000 $2,353,000 97 -- $1,000,000 -- -- $300,000 $1,045,000 $2,345,000 98 -- $1,000,000 $300,000 -- $244,794 $1,045,000 $2,589,794 99 -- $1,000,000 $400,000 -- -- $1,045,000 $2,445,000 00 -- $1,000,000 $300,000 -- -- $1,045,000 $2,435,000 01 -- $1,100,000 $650,000 -- -- $1,045,000 $2,795,000 Total $1,500,000 $7,500,000 $1,650,000 $1,500,000 $612,794 $9,100,000 $21,862,794

Table 1. South Florida Water Management District’s melaleuca management funding sources (budgeted). The District continues to support, at $150,000 per year, the U. S. Department of Agriculture research for biocontrol of melaleuca. The District is also providing $60,000 to the Everglades National Park and $75,000 to the Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge, each year, for their melaleuca control programs (Table 2).

95 Table 2. South Florida Water Management District melaleuca management expenditures. FY WCAs L. O.1 MITIGATION BIOCONTROL SUPPORT2 TOTAL 91 $614,437 -- -- $75,000 $15,000 $704,437 92 $823,552 -- -- $75,000 $75,000 $973,552 93 $904,923 $211,159 -- $165,000 $75,000 $1,356,082 94 $634,337 $538,841 -- $150,000 $135,000 $1,458,178 95 $1,025,109 $573,859 -- $195,000 $135,000 $1,928,968 96 $1,460,098 $1,064,216 -- $150,000 $135,000 $2,809,314 97 $970,243 $1,042,037 -- $150,000 $135,000 $2,327,643 98 $449,698 $1,074,813 $301,398 $150,000 $135,000 $2,450,888 99 $640,886 $1,166,497 $384,524 $150,000 $135,000 $2,476,907 00 $702,338 $1,119,369 $160,453 $150,000 $135,000 $2,267,160 01 $1,035,911 $664,280 $258,790 $150,000 $135,000 $2,243,981 Total $9,261,532 $7,455,071 $1,105,165 $1,245,000 $1,245,000 $20,613,768

1. Lake Okeechobee 2. Support to Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge and Everglades National Park

Management Strategy—The integrated management of melaleuca requires a combination of control techniques to be effective; however, biological control methods are not completely available for melaleuca. The melaleuca snout beetle (Oxyops vitiosa) was released in WCA-3B near Holiday Park in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in April of 1997. This insect is currently spreading and is successfully establishing itself within melaleuca populations in South Florida. Two more Australian insects will be released in the near future. District efforts in developing melaleuca control methods have concentrated on herbicidal control and the limited use of mechanical and physical control methodologies. The District first implemented melaleuca control strategies, developed by the MTF, in the southeast corner of WCA-3B in November 1990 (Laroche 1994). The strategy for managing melaleuca is modified, as control methodologies are developed, to improve efficacy and cost effectiveness. The frill and girdle method, in which the bark around the circumference of each tree is completely removed to expose the cambium for application of the herbicide solution, is the primary tool used in the least infested areas. Aerial application is the most economical method for large melaleuca monocultures. The District has been actively involved in the investigation of control methods for mature and seedling trees. Research needs to continue to improve control methods at reduced costs. Effective melaleuca management requires knowledge of its biology. The reproductive potential of melaleuca is tremendous. A mature tree may retain millions of seeds, all of which may be released from their protective capsules following a stressful event such as desiccation, fire, frost, physical damage, or herbicide application (Meskimen 1962). Once released, 15-20% of the seeds will germinate. These new trees take approximately two years to mature and produce viable seeds (Woodall 1981a). Follow-up treatment within the second year after the initial treatment is essential to eliminate new seedlings before they can produce viable seeds. Under ideal conditions, melaleuca can be eliminated from an area within two years. The first phase of control targets all existing trees and seedlings in a given area. Using navigational equipment, crews return to the same site to remove any seedlings resulting from the control activities of the previous year. The District’s control operations consist of three phases: Phase I. This phase focuses on the elimination of all mature trees and seedlings present in an area. Phase II. Previously treated sites are revisited for follow-up treatment to control trees previously missed and remove seedlings that may have resulted from control activities of the preceding year.

96 Phase III. This phase entails the long-term management of melaleuca, surveillance and inspection of previously treated sites to monitor the effectiveness of the melaleuca control program and maintain reinfestation levels as low as possible. The goal of the current melaleuca management program is to contain melaleuca on all District land and to maintain infestation levels as low as possible while minimizing impacts to non-target vegetation. The melaleuca management strategy is based on the quarantine strategy described by Woodall (1981a). The least infested areas (outliers) are addressed first, in order to stop the progression of the existing population. Frill and girdle application of an herbicide solution (25% Arsenal®, 25% Rodeo® and 50% water) is the primary method used to kill mature trees. However, the cut/stump application of herbicide is also very effective, but remaining stumps may create a navigation hazard for airboat traffic when the marsh is wet. This type of application is used only on trees with base stem diameter of less then three inches. Melaleuca seedlings in mixed communities are usually hand-pulled in an effort to minimize the impact of herbicides on non-target vegetation. Seedlings are left hanging on remaining vegetation or put in a pile to reduce the potential for regrowth. Until recently, aerial applications of tebuthiuron, hexazinone, triclopyr, imazapyr, and combinations of imazapyr and glyphosate have been used on an experimental basis only. This type of application is becoming essential as control operations are closing in on large areas of melaleuca monocultures. Acceptable results have been obtained using 3 quarts of Rodeo® and 3 quarts of Arsenal® with 4 quarts of methylated seed-oil surfactant in 20 gallons total volume, in large-scale application. Regardless of the control method used, a comprehensive data collection and evaluation plan is essential for the success of melaleuca management initiatives. Record keeping is invaluable for making future management decisions. Data collection in the District’s program includes: longitude and latitude coordinates at each treatment site, date and time of control, type of control method, type of herbicide and amount, method of application, number of trees and seedlings or hectares treated at each site, and labor and equipment hours. This data is used to produce maps of treatment progress and to keep track of individual melaleuca control sites. Water Conservation Areas—Melaleuca occurred throughout all the WCAs, with degrees of infestation ranging from ten to greater than twelve thousand trees per hectares. The trees in WCA-2A were widely scattered compared to light to moderate infestation in WCA-3A and 3B. The infestation level in WCA-2B is severe, with nearly 30% of the area containing melaleuca. Much of this area is solid forest and individual tree treatment is not cost effective. Depending on accessibility and remoteness of control sites, a helicopter, airboats, and/or all- terrain vehicles are used to transport crews and supplies. Once on site, crews perform melaleuca treatments with the use of the girdle or cut/stump method of herbicide application. Each crew may consist of three to eight people, depending on the density of the melaleuca infestation at the site being treated. The melaleuca control project began at the southeast corner of WCA-3B in November of 1990 and proceeded northward through WCA-3B, 3A, north and south of Alligator Alley, and 2A. These areas are currently under Phase III operations. From November 1990 to October 1999, approximately 12,270,643 trees and 26,876,912 seedlings have been controlled within the WCAs at a total cost of $8,166,577 (Table 3). Phase I work will continue in WCA-2B during FY 02. Aerial applications in the WCAs are being performed on a limited basis for the control of large melaleuca monocultures. To date, a total of 1,491 hectares have been successfully treated by aerial application at a cost of $1,089,722 (Table 4). Aerial application will continue in WCA-2B to control large monocultures. Crews are also treating light infestations of Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, Java plum, and earleaf acacia along all the canal banks and levees within the WCAs.

97 Table 3. Melaleuca control summary for ground based application in the Water Conservation Areas. FY TREES SEEDLINGS LABOR1 COST/PLANT2 TOTAL COST 91 156,001 1,103,073 3,970 h $0.48 $614,437 92 388,324 547,448 8,775 h $0.88 $823,552 93 1,391,095 12,142,900 26,241 h $0.07 $899,690 94 1,571,535 5,439,843 24,000 h $0.09 $634,337 95 1,336,394 1,603,997 29,045 h $0.33 $964,734 96 1,551,969 1,877,654 47,241 h $0.39 $1,267,394 97 1,671,106 884,093 33,709 h $0.30 $760,689 98 976,132 267,264 22,243 h $0.36 $449,698 99 1,482,493 1,054,197 22,588 h $0.29 $603,620 00 924,518 1,768,247 28,884 h $0.27 $702,338 01 821,076 188,196 17,365 h $0.44 $446,088 Total 12,270,643 26,876,912 264,696 h $0.35 $8,166,577 1. labor hours 2. cost per trees and seedlings combined

Table 4. Melaleuca Control Summary for Aerial Application in the WCAs and Lake Okeechobee, 1994-2000. Year Hectares treated Cost/hectares ($) Total cost ($) Water Conservation Areas July, 1995 101 $601.34 $60,375 June, 1996 240 $679.39 $163,054 November, 1996 41 $723.17 $29,650 February, 1997 283 $740.47 $209,554 January, 1999 49 $760.53 $37,266 February, 2001 777 $759.09 $589,823 Total 1,491 $710.67 $1,089,722 Lake Okeechobee May, 1994 526 $285.321 $150,000 July, 1995 81 $596.29 $48,300 June, 1996 165 $677.15 $111,731 February, 1997 121 $742.21 $89,808 December, 1997 41 $777.09 $31,473 March, 1998 607 $761.31 $462,114 January, 1999 761 $760.53 $578,763 February, 2000 809 $757.75 $613,016 February, 2001 576 $386.171 $221,815 Total 3,687 $638.20 $2,307,020 Mitigation Land Pennsuco Wetland February, 1999 61 $758.68 $46,052 February, 2000 81 $761.87 $62,134 Cell 17/18 February, 2001 73 $705.77 $51,412 Total 215 $742.11 $159,598 TOTALS 5,393 $696.99 $3,556,340

1. VELPAR was used

98 Lake Okeechobee—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers originally introduced melaleuca to Lake Okeechobee in the late 1930s (Bodle et al. 1994). These trees were planted on low-lying islands immediately lakeward of the levee to protect the levee system from storm generated wind and wave erosion. From these limited plantings, melaleuca spread into many thousands of hectares of marsh within the lake. There were two main areas of melaleuca infestation in Lake Okeechobee. The first area includes the levee and marsh zone near the original planting sites. These sites are characterized by large, mature, extremely dense monocultures. The second includes the shallow marsh region of the lake where trees have spread lakeward. Melaleuca infestations in the outer marsh typically consisted of outliers and small groups of trees (heads) of varying ages. The lake has been divided into seven management sections, each with varying degrees of infestation. Melaleuca control operations on Lake Okeechobee began in August 1993. The goal of the melaleuca management program on Lake Okeechobee is to first contain, then progressively reduce, populations within the littoral zone. To date, significant headway has been made on the outlier trees and heads in the outer marsh. From July 1993 to October 2000, a total of 12,865,540 trees and 9,774,927 seedlings have been eliminated in the lake at a total cost of $5,148,053 (Table 5). The USACE has removed melaleuca, Australian pine, and Brazilian pepper from the landward side of the rim canal near Moore Haven and from the Kissimmee River to the Okeechobee Pier. The USACE has also provided funds to the District to eliminate melaleuca trees along the lakeward side of the rim from Moore Haven to Belle Glades. Phase I work has been completed throughout the marsh. Crews are currently sweeping through all the previously treated areas to treat regrowth and remove any recurring seedlings. A total of 3,687 hectares of melaleuca monoculture in the Lake were treated by aerial application at a cost of $2,307,020 (Table 4). As in the WCAs, this program is primarily ground-based herbicide application, although the development and implementation of a safe and effective aerial application for melaleuca control is critical to this project. Table 5. Melaleuca control summary for ground based application in Lake Okeechobee. FY TREES SEEDLINGS LABOR1 COST/PLANT2 TOTAL COST 93 523,461 1,134,468 9,292 h $0.07 $211,159 94 1,751,510 4,473,004 22,011 h $0.06 $388,841 95 2,871,825 1,537,966 24,742 h $0.12 $525,559 96 3,214,546 1,288,292 43,726 h $0.21 $952,485 97 2,141,026 562,569 43,724 h $0.34 $920,756 98 1,663,744 181,910 28,312 h $0.33 $612,700 99 318,690 313,294 28,273 h $0.93 $587,735 00 224,086 122,504 25,075 h $1.46 $506,353 01 156,616 160,920 21,150 h $1.39 $442,465 Total 12,865,504 9,774,927 237,013 h $0.55 $5,148,053

1. labor hours 2. cost per trees and seedlings combined

Mitigation areas—Mitigation funds are used to acquire and enhance lands within the Pennsuco project located in Dade County, and Cell 17/18 in Broward County, Florida. The benefits of utilizing these areas for mitigation include eradication of exotic vegetation to ensure the enhancement, preservation, and maintenance of these wetland systems. The eradication of melaleuca is the only wetland enhancement activity that is planned for these areas. The purpose of the exotic eradication effort is to effectively manage melaleuca by containing and progressively reducing melaleuca populations within these project areas. The control program consists primarily of a ground based herbicide application and some use of aerial application in the dense monocultures. 99 A total of 2,400 hectares of melaleuca have been treated by ground application within the Pennsuco wetland. The exotic control consisted of hand pulling seedlings and girdle treatment for isolated individuals and smaller infestations. Approximately 7,452,289 trees and 4, 181,865 seedlings were treated at a cost of $875,366 (Table 6). A total of 142 hectares of dense melaleuca monoculture was treated by aerial application. However, no aerial applications were conducted within the Pennsuco wetland during FY 01. Approximately 40 acres of dense melaleuca was treated by ground application within Cell 17/18 at a total cost of $70,200 (Table 6), and a total of 73 hectares were treated by aerial application (Table 4). Melaleuca control in the mitigation areas will continue as the District buys more land for mitigation purposes. The use of prescribed burning will facilitate seedling control and hopefully reduce the need for Phase II control, as well as help to maintain a mosaic of vegetation types within the enhanced sawgrass community.

Table 6. Melaleuca control summary for ground based application within mitigation areas. FY TREES SEEDLINGS LABOR1 COST/PLANT2 TOTAL COST Pennsuco 98 3,412,548 1,757,502 13,175 h $0.06 $301,398 99 3,533,758 2,008,282 14,485 h $0.06 $338,471 00 192,916 346,860 3,967 h $0.18 $98,319 01 313,067 69,221 4,752 h $0.36 $137,178 Total 7,452,289 4,181,865 36,379h $0.17 $875,366 Cell 17/18 01 473,900 144,060 2,350 h $0.11 $70,200 Total 473,900 144,060 2,350 h $0.11 $70,200

1. labor hours 2. cost per trees and seedlings combined

Conclusion—The operational and experimental work accomplished to date demonstrates that melaleuca can be effectively and consistently controlled using an integrated management approach. The ultimate control of melaleuca throughout the District will depend primarily on the future availability of funds. The magnitude of the threat of melaleuca and the cost of current control efforts are enormous. However, at the current rate of treatment, melaleuca should be under maintenance control in the Water Conservation Areas and in Lake Okeechobee within the next ten years. The elimination of melaleuca from the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, and other District managed lands may cause a temporary disruption of the native flora; however, any sign of disturbance caused by control treatments usually vanishes within one to two years. This temporary adversity is an acceptable event in ridding these natural areas of an invasive exotic pest plant. Only through melaleuca eradication can we insure the sustainability of these treasured wildlands.

100 Research and Outreach Melaleuca Weevil Introduction Invasive Exotic Plant Control Explorations for potential biocontrol agents from Australia resulted in the collection of >450 arthropods associated with melaleuca. Among the most promising candidates, the melaleuca snout beetle (Oxyops vitiosa) was the first agent selected for testing. The weevil was found to be sufficiently host specific for release and in 1997 it was introduced at 13 locations in south Florida. Nascent populations were established at 9 of the original 13 release sites.

Adults and larvae of the melaleuca snout beetle feed on young foliage produced on both saplings and older, mature trees. The larvae are the most damaging life stage, feeding on one side of a leaf through to the cuticle on the opposite side, which results in a window-like feeding scar. This damage may persist for months, ultimately resulting in leaf drop.

101 The absence of weevils in certain melaleuca dominated regions is a cause for concern. To ensure regional impacts of the biological control agent are realized, a combined redistribution effort has been organized among USDA/ARS, BIPM, SFWMD, and the UF Agricultural Extension Service. The intent of this project is to collect weevils from currently infested sites and redistribute them to targeted areas for control. Proposed treatment sites were chosen in consultation with DEP and SFWMD. The sites chosen (in priority order) are: Everglades Buffer Strip-US 27, Everglades Buffer Strip-Thompson Park, Picayune Strand State Forest, Everglades National Park, Charlotte Harbor State Buffer Preserve, and Estero Bay State Buffer Preserve. This is a multi-year cooperative project with a BIPM cost for FY00 of $73,700. USDA/ARS is providing in-kind service of a supervisory scientist and a vehicle. SFWMD provides $150,000 annually to support the USDA/ARS biocontrol program, but none of these funds is applied to weevil wrangling.

Educational Wall Murals The Bureau of Invasive Plant Management and the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, collaborated in the production of two plant photo-murals for educational purposes. The funding contribution from BIPM was $26,500.

This large photo-mural of invasive non-native plants in the U.S. includes 10 species found in Florida and 27 found elsewhere in the country. The mural was produced as a teaching tool for science classes and management agency training, and for homeowners’ forums, ecology clubs, environmental advocacy groups, and others concerned about the onslaught of non-native plants in the United States. It was produced by the Center and BIPM, with support from Sea Grant, and with printing support from Cerexagri. Additional printing support came from the national Aquatic Plant Management Society, the Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society, and from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville Office. There is also a photo-mural depicting native wetland plants. Information on both murals can be found at: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/mural.html

102 Grazing Suppression Demonstration Project Invasive Exotic Plant Control The intent of this project is to a) determine whether intensive grazing can control kudzu and other invasive exotics such as cogon grass, climbing ferns, and privet, and b) to establish specific practices for using this application. Intensive grazing is a vegetation management strategy developed in New Zealand. Sheep have been used to control leafy spurge (Eurphorbia esula) in pastures and along rivers in Montana. In some cases, continuous grazing by sheep resulted in significant reductions of leafy spurge stem density and viable seed bank. An added bonus is that sometimes the use of sheep for weed control does not cost anything to the landowner, because they provide free forage for the sheep. The initial test of grazing suppression on kudzu was conducted at Tom Brown Park in Leon County. Other sites included in the initial scope of work include Miccosukee Canopy Greenway and the River Island Natural Area. This is a cost-share project with Leon County ($75,000) and the City of Tallahassee ($35,000). The BIPM cost is $75,000 over three years, or $25,000 each for FY99, FY00, and FY01.

103 Contract Assistance Other state agencies and other divisions within DEP receive funding to conduct land management activities, which may include exotic species control, on properties where they are designated as the manager by the Board of Trustees. The Bureau provides free assistance to these agencies by offering the use of its established contract procedures and contractors to perform exotics control projects, thus avoiding a duplication of effort. The Bureau handles all of the processing of these projects except for the actual release of funds, which are disbursed by the managing agency. The following projects were funded by another state agency during FY00, with BIPM overseeing the contractual arrangements on behalf of these agencies. DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Projects DRP County: Pinellas PCL: Caladesi Island State Park PCL Size: 2,470.32 acres Site Manager: DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Caladesi Island State Park #1 Causeway Boulevard Dunedin, Florida 34698 Phone: 727-469-5943, Fax: 727-469-5703 Project ID: RP-014 Project Size: 30 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $27,252.74 Caladesi Island is a barrier island with natural communities consisting of beach, dune, pine flatwoods, maritime hammock, mangrove swamp, and tidal marsh. The beach is a sea turtle nesting area. The project area covers 30 acres and is the final phase of pepper removal from an original 100-acre infestation. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 DRP County: Alachua PCL: San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park PCL Size: 6,927.12 acres Site Manager: DEP Division of Recreation and Parks San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park 4732 Millhopper Road Gainesville, Florida 32653 Phone: 904-462-7905, Fax: 904-462-7297 Project ID: RP-015 Project Size: 8 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $4,465.17 San Felasco Hammock encompasses a diverse array of natural communities, including upland mixed forest, mesic hammock, bottomland forest, sandhill, hydric hammock, hardwood swamp, and springs. The park also contains limestone outcrops, sinkholes, and significant changes in elevation. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Colocasia esculenta wild taro Category I foliar Rodeo Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor-tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Aleurites fordii tung oil tree Category II basal/cut stump Garlon 4

104 DRP County: Suwannee PCL: Ichetucknee Springs State Park PCL Size: 2,276.65 acres Site Manager: DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Ichetucknee Springs State Park Route 2, Box 5355 Fort White, Florida 32038 Phone: 904-497-4690, Fax: 904-497-3095 Project ID: RP-016 Project Size: 50 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $4,504.59 Ichetucknee Springs is a first magnitude spring with an outflow of over 200 million gallons per day. Natural communities in the park include hardwood swamp, bottomland forest, upland hardwood forest, sandhill, spring-run stream, and springs. The park also hosts endemic snails and native orchids. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I foliar Roundup/Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal Garlon 4 Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Category II basal Garlon 4

DRP County: Alachua PCL: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park PCL Size: 20,945 acres Site Manager: DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Route 2, Box 41 Micanopy, Florida 32667 Phone: 352-466-8081, Fax: 352-466-4297 Project ID: RP-017 Project Size: 21 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $8,784.84 Paynes Prairie is an area of ecological, geological, and archaeological importance and supports numerous rare species of plants and animals. Natural communities of the park include marsh, wet prairie, pine flatwoods, hammock, hardwood swamp, and ponds. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal/foliar Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor-tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4

105 DRP County: Madison PCL: Suwannee River State Park PCL Size: 1,924.43 acres Site Manager: DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Suwannee River State Park 20185 County Road 132 Live Oak, Florida 32060 Phone: 904-362-2746, Fax: 904-362-1614 Project ID: RP-018 Project Size: 24 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $3,554.06 This park encompasses the confluence of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers and contains numerous springs. Seepage stream, aquatic cave, upland mixed forest, bottomland forest, floodplain forest, and sandhill are among the thirteen natural communities of the park. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal Garlon 4 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I foliar Roundup/Garlon 4

DRP County: Hillsborough PCL: Hillsborough River State Park PCL Size: 3,413.53 acres Site Manager: DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Hillsborough River State Park 15402 US 301 North Thonotosassa, Florida 33592 Phone: 813-987-6870, Fax: 813-987-6773 Project ID: RP-019 Project Size: 53.3 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $26,998.13 This park is one of Florida’s oldest, created in 1934, and contains both natural and cultural resources. Natural communities include hydric hammock, upland mixed forest, mesic pine flatwoods, cypress swamp, and marsh. The river within the park contains one of the few rapids in the state. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup Paederia foetida skunk vine Category I foliar Roundup Solanum viarum tropical soda apple Category I foliar Roundup Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Category I foliar Roundup Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I foliar Roundup Dioscorea bulbifera air potato Category I foliar Roundup Abrus precatorius rosary pea Category I foliar Roundup

106 DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Projects

CAMA County: Citrus PCL: Crystal River State Buffer Preserve PCL Size: 38,000 acres Site Manager: Department of Environmental Protection St. Martin’s Marsh Aquatic Preserve Complex 3266 N. Sailboat Avenue Crystal River, Florida 34428 Phone: 352-563-0450, Fax: 352-563-0246 Project ID: MR-001 Project Size: 5,760 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $130,952.75 This preserve encompasses much of the coastal area between the Homosassa and Crystal Rivers. It is contiguous with the St. Martin’s River Aquatic Preserve, together protecting an estuary important to fisheries, wading birds, manatees, and other wildlife. Natural communities include hydric hammock, upland mixed forest, scrub, sandhill, and thousands of acres of marine tidal marsh and swamp. The previously pristine marshes have been invaded by Brazilian pepper from seeds brought in by the “No Name Storm” of 1993. Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4 Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal Garlon 4

CAMA County: Brevard PCL: St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve PCL Size: 21,944 acres Site Manager: Department of Environmental Protection St. Sebastian River State Buffer Preserve 1000 Buffer Preserve Drive Fellsmere, Florida 32948 Phone: 407-953-5004, Fax: 407-953-5006 Project ID: MR-003 Project Size: 118 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $94,100 The Buffer Preserve was originated to protect the St. Sebastian River, but has been expanded to protect a significant area of high quality uplands. Predominantly mesic pine flatwoods, natural communities also include sandhill, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, bottomland forest, strand swamp, basin swamp, and depression marsh. The Carson Platt tract is a 5,300-acre addition to the preserve. (table of plants on following page)

107 Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Category I basal Garlon 4 Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Category I basal/cut stump Garlon 4 Psidium cattleianum strawberry guava Category I basal/foliar Garlon 4 Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry Category I foliar Garlon 4 Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern Category I foliar Garlon 4 Abrus precatorius rosary pea Category I foliar Garlon 4 Psidium guajava guava Category I foliar Garlon 4 Albizia julibrissin mimosa Category I basal Garlon 4 Melia azedarach Chinaberry Category I basal Garlon 4 Cinnamomum camphora camphor-tree Category I basal Garlon 4 Solanum viarum tropical soda apple Category I basal Garlon 4 Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow Category I basal Garlon 4 Bambusa vulgaris bamboo n/a foliar Garlon 4 Callitris columellaris cypress pine n/a basal Garlon 4

CAMA County: Charlotte PCL: Charlotte Harbor State Buffer Preserve PCL Size: 43,614 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Charlotte Harbor Aquatic & State Buffer Preserves 122301 Burnt Store Road Punta Gorda, Florida 33955 Phone: 941-575-5861, Fax: 941-575-5863 Project ID: MR-004 Project Size: 992 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $110,000

Charlotte Harbor is one of the largest and most productive estuaries in the state. Much of the Aquatic Preserve is composed of mangrove swamps, salt marsh, and salt flats, while the State Buffer Preserve adds dry prairie and scrubby flatwoods. The area supports a diversity of wildlife, including the endangered Florida scrub jay, bald eagle, and the West Indian manatee. While much of the buffer preserve remains in a natural condition, dense patches of melaleuca seedlings and scattered trees occur throughout the disturbed areas on the property.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide(s) Melaleuca quinquenervia Melaleuca Category I cut stump Arsenal/Rodeo

108 DEP Office of Greenways and Trails Projects

OGT County: Marion PCL: Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway PCL Size: 81,290 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Greenways and Trails 8282 SE Hwy 314 Ocala, Florida 34470 Phone: 352-236-7143 Fax: 352-236-7121 Project ID: GT-001 Project Size: 43 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $3,000

The Cross Florida Greenway evolved from a proposed shipping canal to a proposed barge canal to a realized state recreation and conservation area. The Greenway is a 110-mile linear park that crosses four counties. The project area comprises two sites, Santos and Colby Woods, which total 43 acres. The project consists of a Spring treatment of cogon grass.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide(s) Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup

OGT County: Marion PCL: Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway PCL Size: 81,290 acres Site Manager: DEP Office of Greenways and Trails 8282 SE Hwy 314 Ocala, Florida 34470 Phone: 352-236-7143 Fax: 352-236-7121 Project ID: GT-002 Project Size: 43 acres Fiscal Year 00/01 Project Cost: $3,000

The Cross Florida Greenway evolved from a proposed shipping canal to a proposed barge canal to a realized state recreation and conservation area. The Greenway is a 110-mile linear park that crosses four counties. The project area comprises two sites, Santos and Colby Woods, which total 43 acres. The project consists of a Fall treatment of cogon grass.

Target Plant(s) Common Name FLEPPC Rank Treatment Herbicide(s) Imperata cylindrica cogon grass Category I foliar Roundup

109 Herbicide Bank Report

Herbicide was ordered for those projects, in the Upland Invasive Plant Management Program, that were completed any time between 1998 and 2001. The herbicide was ordered to further help land managers with the expenses associated in controlling and maintaining invasive exotic plants on natural lands. An Access database was created to organize and keep track of all Herbicide Bank information, including amounts and costs.

Calculations for the amount of herbicide ordered for projects were based on 25 to 50 percent of original use summaries (the summaries of herbicide use are taken from the Daily Progress Reports turned in by the contractors). Twenty-five percent of the original herbicide usage was given when treatment included trees and/or shrubs, while fifty percent of original usage was ordered when treatment included grasses and/or vines. Occasionally more or less percentage was given based on request, and when the need seemed evident. The amounts of surfactant ordered were based on amount of herbicide and usually reflected label recommendations.

The type of herbicide ordered for re-treatment was also based on the project summaries given by the contractors. Generally, the herbicide ordered was the same used in the initial treatment. Different herbicides were ordered upon request when the change seemed to benefit the overall outcome of the project. For requests of herbicides different from the original treatment, amount ordered was based on equal cost.

The following is a summary of the Herbicide Bank progress for FY 2000-2001:

Total Number of Bank Projects: 116

Total Gallons of Herbicide Ordered: 15,946.55 gallons

Total Dollar Value of Herbicides Ordered: $1,062,491.19

Total Expenditure for Herbicides in the Bank: $972,000.00

110 Upland Operations

Upland Operations Summary FY 1997-2001

Acres Controlled, Cost/Acre And Cost Range includes all projects processed through the program, including contract assistance projects. Operational data is compiled only from projects for which complete Daily Progress Reports were submitted.

2000-2001 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 11503 $228 $17-$4918 4.91 0.30 Vines 985 $472 $98-$5082 7.05 0.16 Shrubs-Grasses 494 $534 $35-$1786 13.98 1.07 TOTALS 12982 $258 $17-$5082 5.39 0.31

1999-2000 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 1964 $727 $60-$5576 18.75 1.14 Vines 744 $675 $344-$5186 13.67 1.15 Shrubs-Grasses 390 $808 $517-$2256 13.81 1.44 TOTALS 3098 $725 $60-$5576 16.42 1.19

1998-1999 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 1677 $489 $32-$2696 18.01 1.03 Vines 804 $354 $149-$1832 15.41 0.42 Shrubs-Grasses 597 $154 $54-$730 7.66 0.55 TOTALS 3078 $389 $32-$2696 15.32 0.78

1997-1998 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 1112 $486 $422-$1167 25.25 0.39

111 Volunteers Volunteer Efforts in Upland Weed Control The Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program does not contain a volunteer element, since the projects it funds are all outsourced under contract. On the other hand, land managers such as at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve have used volunteers to complement projects funded through the program. As demonstrated by the City of Gainesville [see page 72], a project can be built around a volunteer effort like The Great Air Potato Roundup. Some agencies, such as the water management districts, have their own exotics control programs and do not seek funding from BIPM. Some of the districts use volunteers on a limited basis. The US Forest Service has used volunteers to treat exotics on Forest land and adjacent private lands. On occasion, the Upland Weeds program has been able to supply herbicide for a project performed with volunteer labor. Unlike other types of volunteer projects, treating exotics with herbicides requires adequate training and safety precautions, and carries concerns of liability; thus, most volunteer work is directed at mechanical control of exotics. Volunteers play an important role in an integrated weed management strategy, but they should never be used to substitute for professional weed control operations on public conservation lands. Due to the limited staff and funding of the Upland Weeds program, only a certain number of the proposed projects can be completed each year. This makes volunteer efforts critical for the land manger whose project is not funded, as weeds continue to grow whether or not money is available to control them—“Weeds Won’t Wait.” Also, private conservation lands are not eligible for program funding, so the managers are especially dependent upon volunteers. The Nature Conservancy’s GreenSweep is an example of a non-profit volunteer weed control program. The following table shows the contribution of TNC volunteers in removing exotics last year, a cost-saving effort TNC values at $42,308. TNC GreenSweep Upland Weeds Volunteer Hours Management Areas Acres Hours Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge 5 35 National Key Deer Refuge 1 1317 John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park 20 489 Key Largo Hammocks State Park 20 380 Windley Key State Park 10 80 Curry Hammock State Park 5 160 Blue Heron Hammocks State Wildlife Environmental Area 10 13 Dove Creek State Wildlife Environmental Area 10 90 Old Settlers County Park 5 24 West Summerland Key County Lands 50 114 Tropical Coral Reef County FCT Lands 3 149 Crains County FCT Lands 3 32 Indian Mound County FCT Lands 10 36 Anglers Park County FCT Lands 15 17 Bay Haven County FCT Lands 5 13 Anne’s Beach City Park 8 73 TOTALS 174 3,022

112 The following are examples of volunteer efforts in upland weed control on public conservation lands, as identified by an informal BIPM survey. This was by no means an exhaustive survey, but it demonstrates the potential value and successful control that can be achieved with volunteers. Information provided by land managers on cost savings is generally defrayed labor cost, which is estimated at $8-$15 per hour. Contracted services for exotics control funded by BIPM average approximately $25 per hour. The Division of Recreation and Parks receives an enormous amount of volunteer support for the state parks. While these volunteers perform a multitude of tasks, the following table addresses only exotic control efforts. The estimated savings given are based on salary of $5.15 per hour plus benefits of $2.28 per hour, for a total of $7.43 per hour in saved labor cost.

Division of Recreation and Parks - Exotic Plant Removal Volunteer Summary Parks District One Number of Number of Estimated Number of List of areas: Wakulla Springs, Topsail Units hours savings acres Preserve 2 28 $208.04 Not available Parks District Two Number of Number of Estimated Number of List of areas: Manatee Springs, Ichetucknee Units hours savings acres Springs, Homosassa Springs, Rainbow 12 4428 $32,900.04 Not available Springs, Paynes Prairie, Yulee Sugar Mill, Crystal River, Peacock Springs, Suwannee River, Stephen Foster, Dudley Farm, Withlacoochee Trail Parks District Three Number of Number of Estimated Number of List of areas: Ravine Gardens, Wekiwa Units hours savings acres Springs, Rock Springs Run, Lower Wekiva 6 1539 $11,434.77 Not available River, Silver River, Tomoka River Parks District Four Number of Number of Estimated Number of List of areas: Fakahatchee Strand, Units hours savings acres Highlands Hammock, Hillsborough River, 13 17,606 $130,812.58 322 Lovers Key, Collier-Seminole, Oscar Scherer, Honeymoon Island, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs, Koreshan, Gasparilla Island, Cayo Costa, Paynes Creek, Myakka River Parks District Five Number of Number of Estimated Number of List of areas: The Barnacle, Cape Florida, Units hours savings acres Jonathan Dickinson, John U. Lloyd, John 10 13,025 $96,775.75 171 Pennekamp, Key Largo Hammocks, Lignumvitae Key, Oleta River, St. Lucie Inlet, Savannas

The Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) has received assistance from AmeriCorps, EarthWatch, and individual preserve volunteers, and inmate labor. The Charlotte Harbor Preserves had 21 AmeriCorps volunteers and 9 preserve volunteers participating in exotic control work during January-May, 2001. A total of 6,438 hours of volunteer labor during the prior fiscal year provided CAMA an estimated savings (at $10/hr) of $64,380. Management Areas Acres Hours Charlotte Harbor Aquatic and State Buffer Preserves 305 1538 North Fork St. Lucie River Buffer Preserve/Southeast Florida Aquatic Preserves 6 408 Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve 83.5 4492

113 The Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) currently has an active upland exotic plant removal program for the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. The program has developed through grant funding from BIPM as well as funding through the OGT budget. The grant projects included volunteer efforts, but volunteers were not directly involved in “killing weeds.” The main target invasive exotic plant on the Greenway is cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica). Due to the chemical control methods used to eradicate this exotic, contractors were hired to do the spraying and volunteers were involved in putting up signs at trailheads, writing articles for magazines and assisting land managers in tracking resprouts and new infestations. The OGT has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Marion County Sheriffs Office that, through the establishment of an inmate work farm on the Greenway, is eradicating cogon grass from old pasture areas. The prisoners use farm practices and machinery to eradicate the cogon grass. Following eradication, the land is used to cultivate crops for the prison. The final phase of the project involves the prisoners assisting OGT in restoring the natural community. The agreement is based on a 5-year cycle. Once the process is complete, the crew will move into another infested remnant pasture and initiate a new cycle. Since 1996, the Southwest Florida Water Management District SWIM Program has been awarded six federal AmeriCorps volunteer teams to perform exotic plant control and other habitat restoration tasks at the 650-acre Cockroach Bay (Hillsborough County) and 1,700-acre Terra Ceia (Manatee County) restoration sites. Each team used both chemical treatment and hand-pulling methods to control a variety of exotic plants, including Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, castor bean, and lead tree. Other volunteer organizations have worked simultaneously to install native upland trees and shrubs to compete with any future exotic plant resprouts. In Lee County since January 25, 1999, the Department of Corrections Ft. Myers Work Camp has provided work crews, consisting of four to six inmates and a Corrections officer, to work on invasive plant control projects in Southwest Florida. Fifteen projects have been completed to date. BIPM funded the original purchase of the tools and safety equipment and pays for herbicides, fuel, and equipment maintenance. Lee County has provided a passenger van and trailer for transporting the crew and equipment. The total project costs from January 1999 through December 2000 are $21,825.93 for herbicides, supplies, and repairs. The total area treated in the fifteen projects is 764 acres. Species controlled include Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, melaleuca, earleaf acacia, guava, wedelia, java plum, air potato, rosary pea, pothos vine, arrowhead vine, and downy rose-myrtle. Sixteen projects have been ranked for the current fiscal year. The total project area of these sites is 2010.5 acres, with an estimated total project cost of $57,440. In Martin County volunteers have removed upland exotic vegetation from 780 acres of public natural areas. The total number to date of volunteer hours dedicated to exotic removal is 1,087 hours. The estimated dollar savings in labor costs is $61,930.50, based on the average hourly rate of the county’s exotic removal contractors. The nine managed areas that have benefited from volunteer efforts include: Peck Lake, Rio Nature, Halpatiokee, Twin Rivers, Pendarvis Cove, Bessemer, IRSP, Kiplinger, and Sundial.

114 The Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department, Natural Areas Management (NAM) has a volunteer program called “Adopt A Natural Area.” The program began in 1991 and has been active since then. Several of the natural areas have volunteer work days scheduled every year. NAM offers free guided walks through pineland preserves for workday volunteers who come to help remove fast- growing exotic pest plants and debris that threaten the urban forests. Volunteers also get free pineland posters and guidebooks. The workdays are from 9 a.m. to noon. All hand tools are provided. During the previous two volunteer seasons, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, volunteer hours averaged 794 hours with an estimated annual savings of $6,650. Natural areas sites that have benefited from volunteer efforts include: Boystown Pineland Preserve, Rockdale Pineland Preserve, Florida City Pineland, Hattie Bauer Hammock, Ned Glenn Pineland, Highland Oaks Park, County Line Scrub Preserve, Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, Rolling Oaks Park, Big George Hammock, Little George Hammock, Seminole Wayside Park, Castellow Hammock, Oak Grove Park, Arch Creek Park, The Deering Estate at Cutler, and Matheson Hammock St. Lucie County has been using volunteers for about five years on lands jointly acquired with several funding partners. The “Pepper Busters” meet once a month for four hours, although they usually take the summer months off. Over the last few years, the county has used volunteers several times at five sites, usually using them in highly visible areas where a chipper is used (along nature trails, entrances, etc). The county on average gets about 300 hours per year of assistance from the general public and inmates, which is estimated to be an annual cost savings of about $3,000. Natural areas sites that have benefited from volunteer work include: Indrio Savannahs, Spruce Bluff, Coon Island, Ocean Bay, and Ancient Oaks. The Withlacoochee State Forest has used volunteers only with one project, the coral ardisia eradication effort on the Headquarters Tract of the state forest. The volunteers have all come from the Hernando County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. They have supplemented the treatment of this exotic by manual pulling of the weeds and collecting berries on five acres. There are two work days per year and about 10 people show up for each, working from about 9:00 am to about 1:00 pm. Additionally, other volunteers pull berries from time to time in preparation for spraying. Total volunteer hours for the last three years is approximately 320 hours with an estimated savings (at $8/hr) of $2,560.

115