KEYS INVASIVE EXOTICS TASK FORCE Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date: January 11, 2018

Location: Marathon City Hall

Attendees: Jeremy Dixon (USFWS), Susie Nuttail (FWC), Steve Conners (FWC), Trudy Ferraro (Pennekamp/ Hammock SP), Matt Martin (DOD), Adam Emerick (USFWS), Beth Bergh (Monroe County), Janice Duquesnel (State Parks)

IPM Contract Updates

Beth’s 2016/2017 projects went well but were then impacted by . The County is still in the process of removing debris and trying to get their properties back in order. The worst of the damage was on Big Pine Key. Matt’s projects went well, and had only minimal damage from Hurricane Irma along the edges of the sites. Janice’s project went well and has already had at least one follow-up site visit. Another follow-up will be conducted in February during exotic surveys on the parcel. Trudy had issues with the contractor, but eventually, the projects were completed.

Please remember to fill out the contractor evaluation forms for 2016/2017 so that we can keep FWC informed of both the good and the bad with our contractors.

2017/2018 projects – Matt’s projects are completed, although there were communication issues with the contractor (Earth Balance). Beth’s projects are pending approval from the BOCC. All of the initial sites and some of the maintenance sites are on Big Pine Key, so Beth will check with Jackie and Linda regarding switching sites due to damage caused by Irma. DOT Palm was awarded the initial contract, and Earth Balance was awarded the maintenance contract. Adam has the same issues as Beth with storm damage. Native Creations was awarded the contract for Trudy’s project, but it has not been initiated. ’s project has also not been initiated.

The ranking meeting for the 2018/2019 projects is scheduled for Thursday May 10th. Our April meeting will be focused on the ranking meeting to ensure that everyone is familiar with the TIERS process, and any updates that we will be getting from FWC.

Upcoming Trainings & Events

An Herbicide Workshop was held on Friday, January 19th. Due to the limited space in the Visitor Center, another workshop will be held on February 23rd. All trainings are held in the upstairs conference room at Windley Key Reef Geologic State Park. Space is limited so please email Janice at [email protected] if you have anyone who is interested. CEU’s are available.

FKIETF 1 of 3 Meeting Minutes January 22, 2018

Two Plant Identification classes have been scheduled in the upstairs conference room at Windley Key. The January 25th class is currently full but there is space for the March 2nd class. Space is limited so if you have anyone who is interested please contact Janice.

Two Exotics ID classes have been scheduled also in the upstairs conference room at Windley Key. The February 9th class is currently full, but the March 15th class has five open spaces. Please contact Janice if you are interested.

Upcoming Task Force workdays – The next workday was scheduled for February 8th, but is going to be postponed due to numerous conflicts. Several workday locations were recommended including US I ROW on and West Summerland, USFWS parcels, USFWS back-country sites, and Port Bougainville nature trail in Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. Castor bean and Madagascar periwinkle are recruiting into sites and along US 1 post Hurricane Irma.

Other Meeting Notes

We are looking for ideas for guest speakers to present at our meetings. Please submit any recommendations to Beth and Janice.

We discussed the possibility of reaching out to volunteers to assist with workdays. This would require a blanket volunteer form, which might be feasible via one of the agency forms. Please submit any recommendation to Beth and Janice

We want to expand our FKIETF participation to staff working on invasive animal removal. We will contact FWC staff.

Jeremy Dixon provided an update on the New Guinea flatworm issue. One was discovered under a coverboard at the Crocodile Lake NWR office and one at the site. The current recommendation for moving potted plant material is to sterilize the soil by running hot water through the plant.

The Asian water monitor remains on the loose in the neighborhood at MM 102 bayside. FWC staff and volunteers continue to monitor its location via game cameras, and are still attempting to capture the animal. A Tegu has been sited on Big Pine Key. No pythons were observed during the debris removal at Crocodile Lake NWR but a Burmese python and a ball python were recently observed in Dagny Johnson KLH. An upcoming project to remove the last structure in Port Bougainville is scheduled, and someone will be on site to monitor for invasive reptiles.

The date for the next Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (FLEPPC) Listing Committee meeting is scheduled for June. Please contact Janice if you have any species that you think should be considered for listing.

Upcoming Task Force Meeting Dates, Workdays, and Trainings:

FKIETF 2 of 3 Meeting Minutes January 22, 2018

January 24th - Monthly CISMA call. Beth will be giving the FKIETF presentation.

January 25th – Plant ID class – Windley Key, currently full.

February 8th – FKIETF workday to be rescheduled.

February 9th – Exotics ID class at Windley Key, currently full.

February 23rd – Herbicide Workshop 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geologic State Park

March 2nd – Plant Identification class 8:30 am – 4:00 pm at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geologic State Park

March 8th – FKIETF workday. Location TBD

March 10th – Crocodile Lake NWS Outdoor Fest – 10:00 – 2:00pm. Croc. Lake Visitor Center parking lot. Contact Jeremy Dixon for details.

March 15th – Exotics ID class 8:30 am – noon at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geologic State Park

March 17th – Refuge Outdoor Fest. For details contact Kristie Killiam

FKIETF 3 of 3 Meeting Minutes January 22, 2018