REVIEW AND APPROVALS

OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

FOLKSTON, GEORGIA

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 2000

Refuge Manager ^ / Date

Refuge Supervisor, Area HI / Date

Chief of Refuges Date TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION iii

HIGHLIGHTS iv

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS v

MONITORING AND STUDIES 1 l.a. Surveys and Censuses 1 l.b. Studies and Investigation 18

HABITAT RESTORATION 24 2.a. Wetland Restoration: On-refuge 24 2.b. Upland Restoration: On-refuge 24 2.c. Wetland Restoration: Off-refuge 24 2.d. Upland Restoration: Off-refuge 24

HABITAT MANAGEMENT 25 3.a. Water Level Management 25 3.b. Moist Soil Management 29 3.c. Graze/Mow/Hay 29 3.d. Farming 29 3.e. Forest Management 29 3.£ Fire Management 40 3.g. Control Pest Plants 52

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 53 4.a. Bird Banding 53 4.b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment 53 4.c. Reintroductions 53 4.d. Nest Structures 53 4.e. Pest, Predator and Exotic Animal Control 53

COORDINATION ACTIVITIES 54 5.a. Interagency Coordination 54 5.b. Tribal Coordination 54 5.c. Private Land Activities (excluding restoration) 54 5.d. Oil and Gas Activities 58 5.e. Cooperative/Friends Organizations 58

-i- RESOURCE PROTECTION 60 6.a. Law Enforcement 60 6.b. Wildfire Preparedness 61 6.c. Permits & Economic Use Management 61 6.d. Contaminant Investigation and Cleanup 62 6.e. Water Rights Management 62 6.f Cultural Resource Management 62 6.g. Federal Facility Compliancy Act 62 6.h. Land Acquisition 62 6.L Wilderness and Natural Areas 62 6.j. Threats and Conflicts 62

ALASKA ONLY 63

PUBLICEDUCATION AND RECREATION 64 8.a. Provide Visitor Services 64 8.b. Outreach 73

PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION 77 9.a. Comprehensive Conservation Planning 77 9.b. General Administration 78 9.c. Training and Travel 85 9.d. Energy 94 9.e. Funding 95 9.f. Safety 95 9.g. Volunteers 96 9.h. Computers and Communication 99

-11- INTRODUCTION

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is situated in the southeastern Georgia counties of Ware, Charlton and Clinch and northeastern Florida's Baker County. The refuge was established by Executive Order in 1937 and consists presently of 395,080 acres. The primary purpose of the refuge is to protect the ecological system of the 438,000-acre Okefenokee Swamp. Approximately 371,000 acres of the Okefenokee Swamp wetlands are incorporated into the refuge, and 353,981 acres within the swamp were designated as wilderness by the Okefenokee Wilderness Act of 1974. In 1986, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was designated by the Wetlands Convention as a Wetland of International Importance.

Okefenokee's natural beauty was first threatened in the 1890's, when attempts were made to drain the swamp to facilitate logging operations. The Suwannee Canal was dug 11.5 miles into the swamp from Camp Cornelia. After the failure of this project, known as "Jackson's Folly," other interests acquired the swamp and began removing timber in 1909, using a network of tram roads extending deep into the major timbered areas. When logging operations were halted in 1927, more than 423 million board feet of timber, mostly cypress, had been removed from the swamp.

The establishment of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on March 30,1937, marked the culmination of a movement that had been initiated at least 25 years earlier by a group of scientists from Cornell University who recognized the education, scientific and recreational values of this unique area. The Okefenokee Preservation Society, formed in 1918, promoted nationwide interest in the swamp. With the support of state and local interests and numerous conservation and scientific organizations, the Federal Government acquired most of the swamp for refuge purposes in 1936.

The Okefenokee Swamp is a vast peat bog filling a huge saucer-shaped sandy depression that was perhaps once part of the ocean floor. The upper margin of the swamp, or the "swamp line," ranges in elevation from 128 feet above sea level on the northeast side to 103 feet on the southwest side. The shallow, dark-stained waters of Okefenokee flow slowly but continuously across the swamp toward the two outlets--the famed Suwannee River on the southwest side and the historic St. Marys River on the southeast. The eight predominant habitat types on the refuge include prairies (freshwater marsh), scrub-shrub, mixed cypress forests, blackgum forests, bay forests, pure cypress forests and managed upland pine forests.

Three primary entrances and two secondary entrances exist on the refuge. Access via Suwannee Canal, the east entrance, located 11 miles southwest of Folkston, Georgia, is the location of the refuge headquarters and is managed solely by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Stephen C. Foster State Park is located at the refuge's west entrance 18 miles northeast of Fargo, Georgia. This state park is operated on refuge lands under the provisions of a long-term agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The refuge's north entrance is via the Okefenokee Swamp Park which is located about 13 miles south of Waycross, Georgia. This park is administered by a nonprofit organization on refuge and state forest lands. Kingfisher Landing located between Folkston and Waycross and the Suwannee River Sill area on the west side are considered the secondary entrances into the refuge.

-111- HIGHLIGHTS

Drought conditions persisted throughout the year. (Climate Conditions)

Knowledge of red-cockaded woodpecker status on interior wilderness island was expanded (Section l.a.)

Northwest forestry compartments were enhanced through timber harvest, longleaf pine planting, road improvements, and establishment of red-cockaded woodpecker recruitment stands. (Section 3)

Despite drought conditions, no major fires occurred on the refuge. (Section 3.e.)

An amphitheater is proposed four miles from the refuge's east boundary. (Section 5.c.)

Visitor Center exhibits were replaced and a new refuge audio-visual program was produced. (Section 8)

Ronald Phernetton and Nellie (Snowden) Johns retired after over 30 and 23 years of service. (Section 9.b.)

Volunteer numbers increased at Okefenokee NWK (Section 9.b.)

-IV- CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Climatic conditions are recorded at several locations surrounding the swamp and also within its interior. The records of longest duration dating back to 1945 are from a manual National Weather Service station located at Camp Cornelia at the refuge's east entrance. Since 1999, the data from a Forestry Technology System (FTS) fire weather station has replaced the manual station. The refuge also uses weather data from an FTS weather station located on Jones Island. Stephen C. Foster State Park continues to maintain the manual National Weather Service station near their facilities. There are also FTS weather stations at Eddy Fire Tower and Waycross airport.

The following six FTS water monitoring stations were installed in 1999.

Suwannee Canal Water level and water quality Jones Island Water level (addition to Fire Weather Station) Suwannee Creek Water level and precipitation Kingfisher Landing Water level and precipitation Gannet Lake Water level, precipitation, and water quality Durdin Prairie Water level and water quality

In 2000, several stations had various communication problems and shaft encoder failures. Communication problems were the result of poorly manufactured antennas and have been replaced. The shaft encoder failures have not been resolved and will be replaced with pressure transducers in 2001. Correcting the problems has been slow due to low water levels that have made it impossible to reach some sites.

Platforms for the following stations have been constructed and now wait for the equipment to be installed:

Chase Prairie Water level and precipitation Narrows Water level Cypress Creek Water level and precipitation Sapling Prairie Water level, precipitation, and water quality

All the FTS stations can be remotely accessed making them useful for the refuge's fire program and other activities that are water level dependent.

Precipitation during 2000 resulted in a total of 41.48 inches falling at Camp Cornelia on the east side of the swamp (Table 1). Rainfall was less than the 55-year average of 52.73 inches. April and September were the only months that rainfall exceeded the average on the east side of the swamp. The last three months of 1999 brought us into drought conditions which remained throughout the year. By June, water levels were at their lowest (Section 3.a.).

-v- We primarily gauge the condition of the swamp by the east side's historical records; however, rain distribution varies over the swamp. Jones Island received a total of 43.16 inches of rain through the year with greater amounts than on the east side falling in January, June, July, and November (2.81, 7.25, 7.55 and 1.86 inches). On the northwest side at Suwannee Creek, total rainfall was 42.54 inches with greater amounts faffing in January, February, June, July, and November (2.63, 3.17, 6.70, 7.86, and 2.89 inches).

Temperatures ranged from 19°F to a high of 103°F (Table 2).

Lightning was the cause of several small fires on the refuge during the year; however, no large swamp fires occurred (Section 3.f).

Table 1. Monthly precipitation (inches) for 2000 compared with the 55-year monthly average at Camp Cornelia. Month 2000 Average 1945-1999 January 2.24 3.56 February 2.17 3.51 March 4.01 4.17 April 4.64 3.32 May 0.21 3.80 June 4.84 5.76 July 4.32 7.57 August 6.81 7.25 September 7.59 5.38 October 0.37 3.32 November 1.55 2.21 December 2.73 2.88 TOTAL 41.48 52.73

-VI- Table 2. Mean and absolute minimum and maximum monthly temperatures (°F) recorded at Camp Cornelia. Average Average Absolute Absolute Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Year 2000 90-99 2000 90-99 2000 90-99 2000 90-99 January 41 43 65 67 22 19 80 84 February 42 46 72 71 24 13 82 88 March 51 49 80 76 33 21 89 90 April 52 54 80 83 37 35 89 95 May 64 62 90 89 49 38 97 103 June 68 68 93 92 58 54 101 104 July 70 71 94 95 63 63 103 106 August 71 70 93 93 67 61 98 104 September 69 68 88 89 59 50 95 98 October 54 58 82 82 39 34 95 94 November 47 48 72 75 24 27 86 87 December 38 44 61 67 19 24 80 84

-VII- 1. MONITORING AND STUDIES

l.a. SURVEYS AND CENSUSES

Threatened and Endangered Species

Bald Eagles

No midwinter bald eagle survey was conducted in 2000. The concept of a midwinter eagle survey was originally based around the idea that eagle populations could best be monitored at sites where individuals congregate during winter months. Currently no such areas exist in Georgia and Georgia survey routes are not used in the national trend analysis. A memorandum from the Georgia DNR eagle survey coordinator stated these counts are now voluntary. If eagles begin to occur in larger numbers during the count period, this increase will most likely be noted during our midwinter waterfowl count or monthly wildlife surveys. Three separate sightings of mature bald eagles were recorded in March, April and November; all were spotted in the vicinity of Chesser Prairie. One bald eagle was seen flying west of Owl's Roost Tower on the 5th of March and was observed taking a fish out of the water.

Red-cockaded Woodpeckers

Current Status

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has a total of eighty-one red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) clusters with thirty-seven active clusters and forty-four inactive clusters (see map on page 3). Twelve active and thirty-two inactive clusters are in the upland forests surrounding the swamp (Table 3). Twenty-five active clusters and twelve inactive clusters are on the interior islands (Table 4). The total number of active clusters has increased by nine since last year's report. Although some recruitment sites became active, most of the increase is due to designation of distinct clusters on the interior islands using updated GIS maps.

In June 1999, a meeting was held at the refuge to review red-cockaded woodpecker management strategies and goals. One major concern voiced during the meeting was the uncertainty of population trends for island populations. In 2000, efforts were focused on the islands in order to update the current status of these groups. This was the first year all cavities on the six interior islands were checked for suitability, use by other species, and RCW nests. Three hundred, twenty trees were checked. A total of 97 cavity trees were judged to be suitable, of which 46 were active trees (Table 5). Thirteen nests were found; however, due to logistics and expense, clusters weren't checked on 5 - 8 day intervals. The nest searches were conducted in mid-May; some late nesters might have been missed. No flying squirrels were found and only a few cavities contained any amount of nesting material. The average number of enlarged cavities for all islands was 14%. Out of the 9,855 acres of pine habitat, 2,582 acres were systematically surveyed for new trees or about 26% of island acreage. Only suitable pine habitat was surveyed although values for acreage listed below include ponds. This work required 26 days of island visits, 75 staff days, and 20 hours of helicopter flight time. Although Blackjack is a higher priority than Bugaboo for monitoring, surveys for new trees had priority on the islands that were scheduled for growing season prescribed burns.

New GPS coordinates taken with the PLGR unit and updated GIS maps were used to revise cluster designations. Unfortunately, the location of nests found on Billys Island did not help us break out distinct cluster boundaries for the trees spread out near the south helispot. Several cavity trees, thought to be single bird clusters judging by the distances to other trees, actually contained RCW nests. Their mates were apparently flying in from a distance. /\ Refuge Boundary ! Uplands • Active Cluster Inactive Cluster • Artificial Cluster A

5 Miles

Locations and status of red-cockaded woodpecker clusters on Okefenokee NWR in 2000.

3 Table 3. Red-cockaded woodpecker clusters in upland forest compartments on Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge during 2000. Compartment All clusters Artificial Artificial clusters Inserts installed Total clusters occupied this year this year Clusters Active inactive 2 0 A,B B 0 0 2 3 C,E,F, A,B,D, J,K J 0 11 G,EU K J 4 0 A,B B 0 0 2 5 0 A,B,C, E 0 0 5 D,E 6 0 A A 0 0 1 7 0 A,B,C 0 0 0 3 8 0 A,B, 0 0 0 2 9 0 A 0 0 0 1 10 0 A 0 0 0 1 11 0 A A 0 0 1 12 0 A,B 0 0 0 2 13 0 A,B,C c 0 0 3 14 0 A 0 0 0 1

15 A,B, E,F,H,I E,F,G,H,I G 2 9 C,D,G Totals 12 32 13 2 2 44 Table 4. Red-cockaded woodpecker clusters on interior islands of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge 2000. Interior Island Active Inactive Total Clusters

Billy's Island A,B,D,F,GEUJ,KL, E 12 OP, QR, S Blackjack C,D,E,F A.B 6 Bugaboo B,C,D A 4 Honey B,QF,H,I A,D,E,G,J 10 Mitchell B,D A.C 4 Number One - A 1 Totals 25 12 37

Table 5. Red-cockaded woodpecker interior island clusters - February through. July 2000. Island Total Pine Total Number of Number of Nests Area Surveyed* Acres Number of Suitable Active Trees Found RCW Trees Cavities

Mitchell 1000 27 12 5 2 90%

Blackjack 3019 97 12 7 2 5% Honey 2202 83 22 11 3 50% Billys 3053 83 41 18 5 5%

Bugaboo 387 22 10 5 1 100% Number One 194 8 ** 0 0 100% Totals 9855 320 97 46 13 2582 acres * Individual entries are expressed as a percentage of that island's acreage. ** Cavities are too high to use the Tree-Peeper.

Population Monitoring and Translo cations.

Northwest Population

In November, two pairs of RCW were brought into Compartment 15 from Fort Stewart, Georgia, for Okefenokee's third translocation. One pair has not been re-sighted after release. The second pair was immediately joined by a third unidentified RCW. The pair remained to roost in the area at the east end of Wiregrass Road. The male chose to roost in an insert tree installed in 1999 that had become infested with mud daubers. He cleaned out the tree even with newer, suitable insert trees nearby. Of the fourteen birds translocated to this population since we began in 1998, five remain. Cluster 15B was occupied during the latter part of the 2000 breeding season by a pair translocated from Fort Stewart in 1999. They did not initiate nesting. These birds Were not seen for at least seven months and then began roosting in the same trees they had originally been placed in. One male brought in from Apalachicola National Forest in 1998 remains bonded to a resident female in cluster 15D and has nested successfully two years in a row. This was the only nest this year in Compartment 15.

East Population

The 2000 nesting season had good results with no nests lost to predation before banding. Two new recruitment stands were placed in Compartment 3 during the year. One insert tree near the administration building was occupied in November by a dispersing hatch year female from cluster 31 near the Toledo property boundary.

Central and South Populations

See above discussion on the interior islands for population status. Seven island clusters were counted as single bird clusters; however, this has not been confirmed with monitoring.

Allyne Askins, Deputy Refuge Manager at Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge joined the Okefenokee staff for several days during the nesting season to brush up on her RCW banding skills while Biologist Aicher attended the Biological Workshop. Lyn had the opportunity to check for nests on Honey Island and band chicks in Compartment 3 (Figure 1). Figure 1. Allyne Asians from Lower Suwannee NWR assisted Biologist Thompson with RCW nest checks and banding.

RCW Mortality

Piles of RCW feathers were found in five cavities this spring and one feather spot was discovered on the ground adjacent to a cavity tree (Table 6). In each case, the remains appeared to be nearly a full compliment of feathers. All of the trees were on the ulterior islands - two trees on Honey (one being the feather spot on the ground), one tree on Blackjack, two trees on Billys Island, and one tree on Bugaboo. A small piece of the red "cockade" was found in the Honey Island feather spot. It is hard to tell when mortality occurred for these birds, but judging by the appearance of the trees and cavity contents, it appeared the deaths occurred over an extended period. The winter of 1999 was mild with, no significant weather events noted. Honey, Bugaboo, and Blackjack Islands were all scheduled for prescribed burns in 1999, but were canceled because of dry conditions. There was concern the findings on Billys Island were related to the February 1999 burn (see discussion below), but one tree was not near the burned area and the other tree had no fresh sap, or recent work on the resin wells, at the time of the burn. The tree on Bugaboo was climbed because the tree appeared quite active; however, no remains of the carcass were found other than the feathers.

Table 6. Evidence of RCW mortality found in 2000. Location Status 1999 Status 2000 Contents Remarks Honey 4/08/99 2/23/00 RCW feathers Cavity was "peeped" in 1999. tree 18 Active, cavity No fresh sap empty Honey 4/08/99 2/29/00 RCW feather Looks like it had been inactive tree 59 Inactive Inactive spot at tree for some time, the feathers were base covered with pine straw, found red "cockade" feathers. Blackjack 2/10/99 2/16/00 RCW feathers Although there is fresh work on tree 16 Some fresh bark- Fresh work on the tree, the feathers are mixed flaking resin wells with beetle frass and debris, and RCW work remains look old. Billys 3/08/99 3/07/00 RCW feathers RCW remains found in cavity in tree 84 Inactive, small Inactive 2000; 1999 post-bum check amount of nest cavity was empty. Tree had no material fresh sap, large dry plate, edges (tree was burned of entrance healing. 2/12/99) Billys 3/10/99 03/09/00 RCW feathers This tree was not in the area that tree 942 Inactive, small Inactive, no burned too hot in 1999. amount of fresh recent work sap: it doesn't look like RCW Bugaboo Not checked in 4/6/2000 RCW feathers Lots of recent work; tree was tree 27 1999 Looks active climbed in May. Mortality looks recent. Nesting and Reproduction

Nesting and reproduction in perimeter clusters during 2000. Cluster Clutch size No. Banded No. Fledged Sex Adults 3C 2 2 2 1 female, 1 3 male 3E No nesting NA NA NA 1 3F 4 2 2 1 female, 1 2 male 3G 3 1 1 Undetermined 2 3H 3 1 1 Undetermined 3

31 4 3 3 one female, two 2 males 3J Occupied after the breeding season. ISA Occupied after the breeding season. No nesting NA NA NA 3 15B 15C No nesting NA NA NA 3 15D 3 2 2 1 female, 1 2 male 15G Occupied after the breeding season.

Habitat Management

Extended drought conditions continued into the year 2000 with reduced opportunities to burn RCW habitat. None of the islands were burned this year. Compartment 2 and 3 were the only perimeter compartments with RCW clusters that were burned (Table 7). Table 7. Prescribed burns in red-cockaded woodpecker areas in 2000. Burn Category Active Clusters Inactive Clusters Recruitment Stands growing season 3E, 3G dormant season 2A,2B

In February of 1999, a prescribed burn was conducted on Billys Island. A sudden wind shift in the afternoon caused several areas in the central and south portions of the island to burn quite hot. Unfortunately, these areas have the largest concentration of cavity trees on the island. Ten cavity trees were burned. One month after the prescribed burn, all trees were still alive. During tree status updates conducted in 2000, five of these trees were found dead. Of these, three had recently been active and two were inactive with one having a suitable cavity. One tree had RCW feathers in the cavity in 2000, but it was empty when checked after the burn in 1999. Two of the lost active trees were in one cluster, where now two suitable active cavities remain. A breakdown of the status of these trees is shown in Table 8. The complete staff review which followed the incident is described in the 1999 narrative. Fuel loads had been heavier in this area of Billys Island because two planned bums had been postponed: once to protect regeneration, and once due to research activity. It was decided that maintaining the burning schedule was crucial in improving habitat and that prescribed burns would receive highest priority in order to keep fuel loads from accumulating. Although all possible measures are taken to ensure cavity trees on the interior islands are protected during prescribed burns, little can be done after the fire is set. It is likely the risk of mortality for these trees was higher in view of the extended drought conditions later in the spring and summer of 1999. Three additional trees on Billys Island that had not been burned were found dead in 2000. Two were active in 1999. The cause of mortality is unknown. One inactive cavity tree that had not been burned was killed by lightning.

None of the trees showed damage by bears. Bears frequently scratch on the bole of woodpecker cavity trees, causing sap flow near the ground and increasing the tree's vulnerability to fire. Since it appears bears show a preponderance to RCW trees, we thought they were attracted to the paint or the appearance of the white band. However, new active trees found this past year on Honey Island had the usual bear damage and had not yet been painted or marked with tags.

10 Table 8. Prescribed burning and cavity tree mortality on Billys Island in 2000. Active Cavity Trees Damaged During 1999 Dormant Season Prescribed Burn Tree 1999 Prescribed 1999 Status 2000 Status Remarks Burn (02/12/99) (03/11/99) (03/03/00) 82 Burned Active Dead Delayed mortality 93 Burned Active Dead Delayed mortality 199 Burned Active Active Remains active 323 Burned Active Dead Delayed mortality 336 Burned Active Active Remains active 943 Burned Active Active Remains active

Inactive Cavity Trees Damaged During 1999 Dormant Season Prescribed Burn 35 Burned Inactive Dead dDlayed mortality 84 Burned Inactive Dead RCW remains found in cavity in 2000; 1999 post-burn check cavity was empty 200 Burned Inactive Inactive Remains inactive

342 Burned Inactive Inactive Remains inactive Mortality of Cavity Trees Not Damaged During 1999 Dormant Season Prescribed Burn 19 Unburned Inactive Dead Lightning strike 314 Unburned Active Dead Cause of mortality unknown 337 Unburned Active Dead Cause of mortality unknown

Recruitment Stands and Artificial Clusters

Two inserts were installed this year, both in Compartment 15G, at the end of "Wiregrass Road. This was in preparation for the 2000 translocation.

Mud daubers continue to be the major problem with inserts. A gasoline-powered blower-vac has been adapted for cleaning the inserts, but results are marginal and the work is very time- consuming. In two instances, birds have cleaned inserts of mud dauber clumps and occupied the trees even with unoccupied, suitable insert cavities available nearby. Interestingly, one staff

11 member speculated the inserts with the greatest risk of infestation are those closest to recent graded road improvements or drainage ditch repair. No large concentrations of the pesky insects were found in island woodpecker cavities, although these are all natural cavities. All inserts installed have remained dry and free of sap. Recent checks of some of the &st inserts we installed in 1996 have had healing by the tree out beyond the box. However, diameters at breast height (dbh) show little change from the dbh measured at the time of insert installation.

American Alligator

No alligator surveys were conducted in 2000 due to low water levels.

Wood Storks

The year's highest count of wood storks occurred in May; the greatest number was seen in Chase Prairie along the Blue Trail just north of the turn-off into Round Top.

Numbers of wood storks counted during 2000 Suwannee Canal Recreation Area monthly surveys: Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. 0 0 — 13 64 6 8 27 1 — — 6

Annual peak numbers of wood storks counted during Suwannee Canal Recreation Area monthly surveys: 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 1070 800 910 800 200 100 50 110 200 48 47 141 167 60 691 64

Other Wadlife

Waterfowl

The mid-winter waterfowl survey was conducted by helicopter on January 6. Mallards, blue- winged teal and wood ducks were counted for a total of 74 individuals. Forty of these were wood ducks. The monthly wildlife survey conducted by airboat on January 10 and 11, shows much higher numbers.

Numbers of wood ducks counted during 2000 Suwannee Canal Recreation Area monthly surveys: Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. — 440 240 — 13 46 26 17 31 21 — 182

12 Marsh and Water Birds

The year 2000 continued to show an increase in numbers of sandhill cranes (Table 9) from previous years. However, numbers for other waders, particularly white ibis, do not follow suit (Table 10). Monthly counts for great egrets, little blue herons and great blue herons fall slightly below average to average. Undoubtedly, numbers were affected by continuing drought conditions. The airboat survey was cut short at Goose House Gap in June due to exposed peat beds in the boat trail. In July, the survey was stopped at the Monkey Lake intersection. The prairies had been exposed long enough for vegetation to sprout and a carpet of green grass covered Chesser and Grand Prairies. An egret roost site formed again this year near Orange Trail marker 2 on the Suwannee Canal near Buck Prairie.

The colonial waterbird nest survey was flown on May 18. None of the historical rookery sites were active. There were no large concentrations of wading birds noted in any of these areas, although scattered foraging flocks were seen in the vicinity of Macks Island and west of the Sill. Water levels were still low and some side channels near Big Water were completely dry.

Table 9. Numbers of sandhill cranes counted during 2000 Suwannee Canal Recreation Area surveys. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

870 1157 — • • 2 11 0 33 12 7 — — 1258

Table 10. Numbers of white ibis counted during 2000 Suwannee Canal Recreation Area surveys. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

325 105 — 332 330 413 277 311 86 — —

Raptors

The annual osprey nesting survey was combined with the colonial waterbird nest survey on May 18. Past nest sites in Chesser, Mizell, and Grand Prairies were not checked. Of the eleven nests found near the Pocket, two were confirmed active with adults present. No eggs or young were observed.

Other Birds

Sheila Willis continued as a contractor to conduct avian point-counts this year following protocol recommended by Georgia Partners in Flight. Eighteen plots were surveyed covering scrub-shrub, longleaf/slash pine stands, open marsh, and waterways. The sampling period is from the last two weeks in May to the first two weeks in June. Forty-seven species were recorded.

Starting in May 1999, bird surveys have been conducted twice a month along the Perimeter Road on the east side of the refuge. Eighty-eight species have been recorded of which 52 can be

13 considered permanent residents, 20 species fall-winter residents, and 16 species spring-summer fOGtsickyvresidentst c.

The annual Christmas Bird Count was held on December 29. A total of 77 species and 3439 individuals were observed. Ten people participated in the count. The American robin was most abundant. Other birds of interest were one American woodcock, one brown creeper, and 12 Brewer's blackbirds.

Mammals

The Compartment 3 and 4 deer hunt was conducted on the 27th and 28th of October. No check stations were set up during the hunt to collect weight or age data: harvest levels are too low for statistically significant values. Thirty-two slots were filled by hunters over the two-day hunt and five deer (two females and three males) were harvested. One of the bucks harvested on Chesser Island was an eight-point. One deer harvested had the external features of both sexes; the male genitalia were undeveloped. The antlers were atypical with a blunt base and one of the antler tips was turned (Figure 2). The deer was not pregnant. Overall, the deer appeared to be in good health and was heavier than typical for most deer harvested in this area.

Figure 2. One deer harvested had the external features of both sexes.

14 Cowhouse Island was open to deer hunting again this year and administered by Georgia Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with scheduled hunts on Dixon Memorial Forest. Two check-in hunts were offered during October 4-7 and November 16-18. The October hunt was open for primitive weapons and either-sex selection. Four hundred, twelve hunters on both refuge and state lands harvested 18 males and 10 females. The November hunt was general gun with either-sex selection. Three hundred eighty-eight hunters on both refuge and state lands took 30 males and 22 females. We know at least two deer were from refuge land on Cowhouse Island; however, check station personnel did not keep more detailed records. Bear hunting was allowed on Dixon Memorial Forest during this hunt with two bears, a male and a female, being harvested.

Bear Bait Stations

Surveys of black bears visiting sardine bait stations were conducted July 19-27. Thirty stations were set. Two showed evidence of visitation by bears. Both of these were on Minis Island. This year stations on Billys Island, Chesser and Grand Prairies, Floyds Island, and Floyds Prairie/Minnies Run have been eliminated due to continuing problems with access and time constraints on refuge staff. In addition, most of the stations on the Sapp Prairie road have been eliminated because the road is no longer maintained. Two stations just inside the refuge gate will continue to be set. One bear was seen while setting up the stations on the Pocket, but none of the stations showed any signs of disturbance when checked the following week.

Fifty-five bears were taken during the three two-day bear hunts in five Georgia counties surrounding the swamp. Thirty-three were males, twenty-two were females.

The familiar sound of coyotes howling in the night is being heard with increasing frequency near the east entrance to the refuge. Several refuge employees have seen single coyotes during early morning or twilight hours.

Field work for the study on the population ecology of black bears in the Okefenokee Swamp- Osceola ecosystem was completed in 1999. Analysis of the data was put on hold because the principal field researcher resigned from the project. (Section l.b.).

Fisheries

The Okefenokee Swamp is the headwaters of the well-known Suwannee River and the St. Marys River. The swamp contributes to the fisheries in these two rivers.

The annual fish survey was conducted in early December by Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Panama City Fisheries Assistance Office. Billys Lake, the Sill borrow ditch, Chesser Prairie, and Suwannee Canal were electrofished. The results from the surveys are summarized in Table 11.

As a result of mercury analysis on fish collected on the west side of the refuge in December 1997, a fish consumption advisory for Okefenokee Swamp was in the state's fishing guidelines for 2000. It is recommended that an individual have only one meal of bowfin per month and one meal of fliers per week.

15 Table 11. Electrofishing results in December 2000 compared to previous years. East Side West Side Species Dec Dec Dec Jan Dec Dec Dec Jan Dec Dec Dec Jan Dec Dec Jan Dec 00 99 98 98 96 95 94 94 00 99 98 98 96 95 95 93 Pedal Time 3+ 4 6 6 6 4 6 6 3 4 6 6 6 2 6 6 (hrs) Warmouth 26 28 17 4 5 6 21 7 84 99 65 27 15 9 5 20 Chain 24 27 33 8 13 42 45 14 17 25 26 12 19 40 14 37 Pickerel Redfin 4 0 1 0 2 1 12 5 11 9 5 0 6 7 1 0 Pickerel Blue Spotted 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 Sunfish Flier 113 171 178 60 98 387 634 427 10 67 133 35 77 137 29 157 Bowfin 719 725 258 123 85 67 169 308 4 24 181 68 142 41 66 135 Bullhead 17 5 15 2 1 0 3 4 35 25 41 10 52 0 9 39 Other 50 28 29 11 3 13 2 0 84 47 38 1 16 14 0 0 Total 953 984 531 208 207 516 887 767 245 296 489 153 328 248 124 391 Amphibians

The USGS Caribian Research Center in Gainesville, Florida began the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative in the Southeastern U.S. and U.S. Caribbean. Okefenokee NWR was selected as one site (Figure 3). (Section l.b.)

Figure 3. River frog (Rana hecksheri) larvae collected during a survey by USGS.

Invertebrates

The study "Wetland macroinvertebrate dynamics within the Okefenokee Swamp" continued this year by University of Georgia, Department of Entomology professors Joseph McHugh and DaroldBatzer (Section l.b.).

Vegetation

Notes from Botanist Robert Hunsucker were entered into a database. This will provide a comprehensive checklist of the vascular flora of Okefenokee NWR once it is reviewed.

17 l.b. STUDIES & INVESTIGATIONS

Ecological

Control of wetland carbon sequestration by climate: A latitudinal comparison of soil organic carbon accumulation in freshwater peatlands - Amy Parker, Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia

Amy Parker initiated this study in 2000 and proposed to measure peat accretion and organic carbon accumulation in peatlands along the coastal plain region of the eastern U.S. This information would fill in gaps in the existing dataset and test the hypothesis of global (climate) versus local control of wetland carbon accumulation. U.S. EPA will use the results to characterize wetland organic carbon accumulation for various Nutrient Ecoregions and assist in developing technical guidance manuals for the Wetland Nutrient Criteria Program.

Streamflow Characteristics Associated with Suwannee River Sill Alterations - Stewart Tomlins, USGS, Tallahassee, FL

See Section 3.a for the status of this study.

Scrub-shrub habitat structure and fuel loading - Sharon Hermann, Tall Timbers Research, Inc., Tallahassee, FL

Sharon Hermann began sampling for this study in 1997. However, there has been no activity since and Sharon Hermann's status changed in 2000. No further reporting will be done on this study.

WOdlife

Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative in the Southeastern U.S. and U.S. Caribbean - Dr. Lora Smith, USGS Florida Caribbean Science Center, Gainesville, FL

Dr. Lora Smith initiated this study this year. The objectives are to determine the status and trends of amphibian populations on DOI lands in the southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and to provide information useful in determining causes of declines should they be discovered. Initial efforts focused on gathering literature, maps, and historic records for the Refuge as well as references to field sampling and monitoring techniques for amphibians. A draft field sampling protocol was developed in mid-October. A number of preliminary field surveys were conducted from July through December 2000. Sixteen permanent intensive monitoring sites were established. Extensive surveys were conducted at seven sites with a total of ten amphibian species observed. Sampling and surveys will be conducted each quarter through the coming year.

18 Evolutionary and Ecological Processes within Dystropbic Blackwater Habitats: Speciation and Historic Biogeography in Enneacanthini Surtfishes and Potential Factors Influencing Their Local Distributions - Tanya Peterson Dardin, University of Southern Mississippi

Tanya Peterson Dardin collected five Enneacanthus obesus at the east end of Billys Lake. This was the only location where they were found during the researchers sampling. This study will continue into next year.

Identification and clarification of distribution of the purse-web spider species in Florida and southern Georgia - EL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Gainesville, FL

On June 28, Paul Molar found purse-web spiders to be common at Stephen C. Foster State Park. Two voucher specimens identified as the red-legged purse-web spider (Sphodros rufipes) were deposited at the State of Florida Arthropod Collection and the University of Georgia Natural History Museum. A manuscript for publication is currently being prepared.

Wetland macroinvertebrate dynamics within the Okefenokee Swamp - Department of Entomology, Univsersity of Georgia

Joseph McFfugh, Darold Batzer, and Ray Noblet initiated sampling in December 1998. In August 2000, a two year sampling effort was completed to describe the structure of wetland invertebrate communities and assess concentrations of mercury in select invertebrates across the Okefenokee Swamp. Six sampling sites spread across the northwestern, northeastern, and central hydrologjc basins of the swamp (two sites per basin) were selected. Within each of the six sites, sampling was stratified to include prairie, scrub-shrub, cypress, deep water, and boat trail habitats. Samples were collected in December of 1998, May, August, and December of 1999, and May and August of 2000. Mercury levels were assessed from amphipod crustacenas, dragonfly nymphs, and crayfish at each sample station. The invertebrate communities were numerically dominated by small-bodied chironomid midges, water mites, and hydroptilid caddisflies, and large-bodied insect predators (dragonfly and damsel fly nymphs, naucorid bugs, and dytiscid beetles). Some of the invertebrate groups that are prominent in other aquatic habitats were missing or rare from the Okefenokee, including most mayfly, caddisfly, oligochaete, and leech families. While we are still assessing temporal and spatial variation in community structure, initial analyses suggests that seasonal change is minimal and many invertebrates are habitat generalists, occurring in all hydrologic basins and plant stands. We anticipate that more patterns in variation will be detected after analyses are complete. However, thus far patterns in structure and distribution suggest that Okefenokee invertebrate communities are unique from other wetlands. Significant levels of total mercury (from 1 to 86 ppm) were detected frequently in invertebrates, especially in amphipods. These concentrations are as high or higher than those found in invertebrate tissue from the better studied Florida Everglades. Levels were particularly high in the second year of study, possibly due to the onset of drought conditions.

19 Population Ecology of Black Bears in the Okefenokee Swamp-Osceola Ecosystem - University of Tennessee, National Biological Service and the University of Florida

Field work was completed in 1999 on this five year study on black bears in the Okefenokee Swamp-Osceola Ecosystem. Co-investigators of this study are Dr. J. Clark, National Biological Survey, University of Tennessee-Cooperative Park Studies Unit; Dr. M. Pelton, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee; and Dr. M. Sunquist, Department of WildHfe Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida. David Brandenburg, a Ph.D. candidate who lead the field crew quit the project in 2000 and handed the data over to Dr. Clark. Daron Barnes and Steve Dobey from the University of Tennessee, and Darrin Masters from the University of Florida are currently completing their theses.

Ethology and Natural History of the American Alligators, Alligator mississippiensis - Zoo Atlanta

Howard Hunt, Curator of Herpetology for Zoo Atlanta, continued his research on the American alligator in the Okefenokee Swamp. Eleven nests were located along a 7.5 mile survey line through Suwannee Canal, Chesser Prairie, and Grand Prairie. Thirteen eggs from six nests were tested for mercury and pesticides. DDE was found in the eggs. Five nests were monitored with surveillance cameras. The predation rate was 64%. In addition, three alligators were necropsied and tissues examined for pesticides and disease. Mercury Avas found in the livers of the three alligators with a mean value of 91.5 0 ppm. One female had 187 ppm mercury in her liver. As comparison, Everglade alligators have tested 40 ppm mercury in liver tissue.

Contaminants

Pesticide and Fertilizer Loading in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia and Florida - Ecological Services, Brunswick, GA

Contaminants Specialist Gregg Masson, Georgia Ecological Services, and Ecologist John Kasbohm obtained funding (FY97 and FY98) to determine the extent of nutrient, insecticide, and herbicide loading into the Okefenokee Swamp. A Cooperative Agreement was executed with the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) to conduct all field work and analysis as part of their Surface Water Management and Improvement (SWIM) Program. Environmental Services and Permitting (Gainesville, Florida) were subcontracted by the SRWMD to collect and analyze water and sediment samples monthly and quarterly, respectively, from Suwannee Creek, Cane Creek, Gum Slough, and the Suwannee River Sill at the refuge boundary. Results from the study were included in the Siwannee River Basin 1998 Surface Water Quality Report: Florida and Georgia. No significant pesticide and fertilizer loading was detected.

20 Air Quality Monitoring - USFWS Air Quality Division, Denver, CO

Okefenokee NWR is the site for monitoring air quality conditions through the following programs:

Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) • Mercury Deposition Program (MDP)

S. Elizabeth Daneman continued to be the operator of the air quality station through July. At that time, Pam Sikes took the duties over until mid-November (Figure 4). Staff kept the station going through the remainder of the year. A report on 1998 sampling, showed that mercury levels measured at Okefenokee NWR were fifth from the highest out of 30 stations nation-wide. The Air Quality Division filmed Okefenokee's air quality monitoring station for a USFWS video on air quality activities.

Figure 4. Elizabeth Daneman (Air Quality Monitoring Station operator until August) passes the hat to Pam Sikes (left).

21 Bioaccumulation of Mercury and Lead in Selected Food Chains and Trophic Levels of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Possible Impacts on the Biota - National Fisheries Research Center, Athens, GA

Beverly Schleppi Arnold submitted her dissertation Distribution of mercury within different trophic levels of the Okefenokee Swamp, within tissues of top level predators, and reproductive effects of methyl mercury in the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in 2000. Aquatic plants, crayfish, pig frog, flier, chain pickerel, bowfin, raccoon, and alligator were analyzed for mercury and lead. Mercury concentrations increased with trophic levels except in alligators. Concentrations of mercury and lead were found to be high enough to warrant regular monitoring for wildlife concerns. Mercury concentrations in fish are within the range of those suspected of adversely affecting sensitive wildlife species and could potentially impact reproduction and behavior of piscivorous wildlife.

Public Use

Wilderness Experiences. Conflict, and Learning at Okefenokee Wilderness - Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, Northwest Forest Experiment Station and Virginia Tech University

Allen Watson, Northwest Forest Experiment Station and Joseph Roggenbuck, Virginia Tech University, studied preferences and attitudes of recreational wilderness users in 1999-2000. The study was cooperatively funded through the Washington Office of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Northwest Forest Experiment Station of the U.S. Forest Service. A preliminary summary indicates Okefenokee Wilderness visitors seem similar to many wilderness visitors in that they are typically white, highly educated, and have high incomes. However, as a group, they are much older and more likely to be female. They are quite inexperienced in their relationship to Okefenokee. Group size tends to be large by wilderness visit standards. Okefenokee visits seem shorter than at other wilderness areas. Visitors generally are coming a long distance and they plan their trip for considerable time. Most visitors do not realize they are visiting a federally declared wilderness.

Other Researchers

The following researchers obtained special use permits from the refuge to collect data for various studies:

Michael L. Brown, Georgia Institute of Technology, conducted a baseline sky brightness measurement for the refuge and the developers of Starlight Amphitheater.

George H. Lee, Georgia Institute of Technology, conducted a baseline noise survey for the refuge and developers of Starlight Amphitheater.

Alan G. Auwarter from Ecological Support Branch of the Region 4 EPA in Athens collected surface water, sediment, and soil along the Suwannee River Sill and/or Billys Lake to include in a mercury total maximum daily load model for six rivers in Georgia.

22 Todd Schneider, GA DNR - "Wildlife Resources Division, obtained a permit to collect information for the state's Breeding Bird Atlas Project. His crew was interested in obtaining information on bird use for the east central (1/6) portions of topo quads: The Pocket, Chase Prairie., Dinner Pond, and Blackjack.

Peter Stone from South Carolina investigated conditions on a peat battery that formed 20 years ago and test the effects of ancient peat fires by collecting peat cores and plant specimens for identification.

Larry Thompson with the Georgia Forestry Commission supervised the crew that conducted and evaluated the Forestry Inventory Analysis plots within the swamp. This was the second year of a five year rotation. The plots that could not be reached will be eliminated from the survey.

Dirk Stevenson, under contract with Linda LaClaire, Ecological Services in Jackson, Mississippi, surveyed historic striped newt localities for a review of habitat quality in Georgia.

Clinton C. Ready from Waycross College obtained a permit to collect invertebrates for identification and educational purposes.

There has been no on-refuge activity related to the following studies during 2000. The refuge is waiting for final reports.

Emissions of air pollutants from biomass fuels in the United States and Fuel loading and fire behavior photo series for major natural fuel types of the United States - USFS, Intermountain and Pacific Northwest Research Stations - Darold Ward and Roger Ottmar - 1996

Fire-adapted vegetation of the Southeastern Coastal Plain: A Template for restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem. - University of North Carolina - Robert Peet

The Health of Amphibian and Reptile Populations at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - Southeast Georgia - Ecological Services, Brunswick, GA - Greg Masson collected amphibians and reptiles from the swamp in 1993 and 1994.

23 2. HABITAT RESTORATION

2.a. WETLAND RESTORATION: ON-REFUGE

An environmental assessment was completed in 1998 on the future management of the Suwannee River Sill. This will restore the hydrologic link between the Okefenokee Swamp and the Suwannee River and in turn re-establish the ecological processes that are vital to the continued health of the Okefenokee ecosystem. See Section 3.a. for the status of this project.

2.b. UPLAND RESTORATION: ON-REFUGE

See Section 3.e. 2.c. WETLAND RESTORATION: OFF-REFUGE

Nothing to Report. 2.d. UPLAND RESTORATION: OFF-REFUGE

Nothing to Report.

24 3 HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (395,080 acres) includes most of the 438,000 acre Okefenokee Swamp.

The refuge objectives pertaining to habitat management are:

1) To provide protection to the unique environmental qualities of the Okefenokee Swamp (to perpetuate the health and integrity of the swamp considering the natural processes of fire and hydrology).

2) To provide optimum habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species,- including the American alligator, red-cockaded woodpecker and indigo snake.

3) To provide optimum habitat for a wide diversity of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians.

To meet these objectives, habitat management techniques include prescribed burning, wildfire, timber stand thinning., commercial timber harvest, planting, herbicide application and trail cutting. The vastness, inaccessibility to most of the swamp, and wEdemess designation puts additional restraints on management practices.

The most intensive management occurs on our 31,000 acres of upland pine stands. These upland pine forests are managed primarily for the red-cockaded woodpecker and the re-establishment of the native long-leaf pine/wiregrass community. Our habitat management plan has focused on this portion of the refuge. Retired forester Ron Phernetton continues to re-write the Habitat Management Plan to encompass all habitats and management. This document will become an integral part of the Comprehensive Management Plan. 3.a. WETLAND MANAGEMENT

Water Levels

Acres classified as wetlands total 371,000. Although fire plays an important role in the landscape, we do not currently conduct prescribed bums in swamp vegetation communities or do we have an official let-burn policy for wildfires in the swamp. Because of the difficulty in fighting a fire within the swamp, fire fighting efforts are generally concentrated on the periphery to protect private property.

25 Water levels are critical in the management of Okefenokee. We cannot control the level, but it influences our prescribed burning of islands, our travel and access into areas, and the distribution of wildlife species. On June 2, the staff gage at Suwannee Canal was set to read true elevation. Previous staff gage readings were 1.43 feet above the true elevation. In the past, 121.5 feet was considered the average water level at Suwannee Canal and conditions were based on the height above or below this level. Establishing a new simple reference point for water levels, 120.00 feet mean sea level (msl) will be used from now on to make general comments and quickly assess the water levels within the swamp.

Forestry Technology System water monitoring equipment was installed at six locations (Suwannee Canal, Jones Island, Suwannee Creek, Kingfisher Landing, Durdin Prairie, and Gannet Lake) in October 1999. Due to communication, water level sensor problems and low water conditions stations at Chase Prairie, Sapling Prairie, Cypress Creek and Suwannee River still need to be installed. Water level will be recorded at all sites. A precipitation tipping bucket is located at all sites except Suwannee Canal and Durdin Prairie. Water quality at Suwannee Canal, Durdin Prairie, Gannet Lake and Sapling Prairie include pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.

Water levels on both sides of the swamp were below average throughout most of the year (Table 12 and Figure 5). Most of the overnight canoe trails were closed, allowing only one night trips, due to low water levels.

26 Table 12. Water levels (msl) at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (SCRA) and Stephen Foster State Park (SFSP) for 2000. Subscripts indicate number of years included in the average due to missing data. SCRA SFSP 2000 Avg 90-99 2000 Avg 90-99

Jan 1 119.62 120.02 113.88 114.689 15 119.57 120.17 113.80 114.919 Feb 1 119.79 120.47 114.10 115.33 15 119.78 120.48 114.04 115.51

Mar 1 119.71 120.49 114.11 115.649 15 119.52 120.49 113.89 115.64,, Apr 1 119.76 120.50 114.21 115.42,, 15 119.63 120.38 113.90 115.02,, May 1 119.84 120.22 114.16 114.60 15 119.50 120.01 113.45 114.25 Jun 1 118.94 119.77 112.49 114.14 15 118.77 119.75 112.09 114.20 Jul 1 119.30 119.84 113.88 114.13 15 119.18 119.90 114.45 114.25 Aug 1 119.16 119.94 114.16 114.43 15 118.97 120.01 114.19 114.56 Sep 1 118.96 119.98 113.86 114.47 15 119.57 119.84 114.30 114.519 Oct 1 119.63 119.96 114.30 114.35 15 119.39 120.25 113.88 114.74 Nov 1 119.07 120.19 113.48 114.63 15 118.87 120.14 113.40 114.60 Dec 1 118.96 120.02 113.68 114.53 15 118.87 120.00 113.66 114.53

27 122.00

Suwannee Canal -East

120.00 -•

118.00

•43 116.00 1 Stephen Foster State Park-West w

114.00 --i---i-

112.00 -•

110.00 I 4

Date - Suwannee Canal-2000 Suwannee Canal 10-yr Avg - Stephen Foster State Park - 2000 Stephen Foster State Park 10-yr Avg

Figure 5. Water levels at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (SCRA) and Stephen Foster State Park (SFSP) during 2000 compared to the 10-year averages.

28 Sirwannee River Sill

After the completion of an environmental assessment and a FONSI in 1998, the refuge proceeded with the preferred alternative which involves a phased approach to remove the concrete water control structures and breach the sill in selected locations. USGS continued to monitor downstream under current conditions for the second year in 2000. They are monitoring water levels and flows and examining lead and mercury levels downstream from the sill. At the same time, the refuge is verifying the University of Florida's hydrology model within the swamp and examining public access in the vicinity of the sill. A project team meeting was held at the end of November to discuss the status of the project and prepare for the second step of the monitoring phase. By the end of the year, preparation was made to fully open the control structures, allowing the water to flow freely. Monitoring will continue for two years. Barring documented impacts to public use and private landowners which cannot be mitigated through management actions, the two concrete water control structures would be removed and four additional breaches would be made through the earthen dam. Funding for partial removal of the Suwannee River sill will depend on Congressional action.

3.b. MANAGE MOIST SOIL UNITS

Nothing to Report.

3.c. GRAZE/MOW/HAY

Nothing to Report.

3.d. FARMING

Nothing to Report.

3.e. FOREST MANAGEMENT

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge contains 347,131 acres of forest lands, including 313,529 acres of wetland hardwoods, cypress and brush lands. The remaining 33,602 acres are upland forest stands of longleaf, loblolly, slash and pond pine, and scattered upland hardwoods. The uplands also contain many bog filled ponds containing mixed stands of pine, cypress, and hardwoods. Approximately half of the upland forest area (17,444 acres) is located on islands within the Class I National Wilderness Area. The remaining 16,158 acres of upland forest are in areas designated as forest management compartments. Commercial harvesting is permitted in the compartments as a tool to accomplish habitat management goals.

29 Upland Forests

Goals for upland forests on Okefenokee include the restoration of the longleaf pine communities once covering most of the refuge uplands, and maintenance of these habitats through replication of the natural processes that shaped these communities. These habitats deteriorated throughout the Southeast due to "turn of the century" logging and disruption of the natural, frequent fire regime. These open stands hosted a diverse understory of warm season grasses, many low shrubs, and forbs maintained by frequent, low intensity fire. The old growth longleaf pine communities were replaced by dense stands of more prolific, less fire dependent overstory and understory species normally restricted to wetter areas. Over most of its range, only remnant stands of longleaf pine remain, representing less than five percent of its former range. Many wildlife species associated with longleaf communities, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, are either endangered or threatened.

By the time Okefenokee NWR was established, longleaf pine communities consisted of a few pure stands of longleaf pine on sandy ridges, a few predominately longleaf stands, and many mixed pine stands with a few relict longleaf stems left after logging in the 1920's. Because of the difficulty of re-establishing longleaf pine, and continued exclusion of fire, refuge longleaf pine communities continued to decline in quality and quantity for many years. Understory conditions depreciated during this period, allowing dense hardwood shrubs to replace grasses, herbs, and low shrubs common to longleaf pine communities. Table 13 lists the present distribution of longleaf pine and other species throughout the refuge uplands. Figure 6 shows the locations of the 16 forest management compartments and the wilderness islands.

30 Table 13. Upland forest stands on Okefenokee NWR. ACRES

Forest Mgt Wilderness Species Class Compartments Islands Total Mature Pine (> 9 " DBH) • Pure Longleaf Pine (>70%) 1,731 1,429 3,160 • Longleaf Dominant (>40%) 1,303 1,305 2,608 • Scattered Longleaf (<40%) 2,085 2,522 4,607 • Other Pine Species 3,471 8,976 12,447 Young Pine (< 9 "DBH) • Pure Longleaf Pine (>70%) 1,016 0* 1,016 • Longleaf Dominant (>40%) 182 0* 182 • S cattered Longleaf (<40%) 410 70* 480 • Other Pine Species 3,431 1,730 5,161 Upland Hardwoods 248 509 757 Bottomland Hardwoods 335 22 357 Bog Filled, Forested Ponds 1,894 820 2,714 Open and Administrative Areas 52 61 113 TOTALS 16,158 17,444 33,602

*While there are very few young longleafpine stands on the •wilderness islands, small patches oflongleaf regeneration, not constituting a stand, are scattered on some -wilderness islands and some compartments. As more of these patches accumulate, they mil form multi-aged stands.

31 Refuge Boundary

Forest Compartments

Islands

A

CompS

6 Miles a Figure 6. Forest Management Compartments and Interior Islands.

32 Habitat management tools utilized to restore traditional longleaf pine communities include:

• Maintenance of multi-aged pine stands. • Selective thinning on a 10-year cycle to favor longleaf pine. • Removal of undesired mid-story stems. • Dormant and growing season fire. • Several methods of stand conversion (patch regeneration, shelterwood regeneration, direct seeding, and planting of containerized seedlings).

Restoration activities for the community understory component has been limited to dormant and growing season fire.

Existing hardwood stands, openings and wetland areas within or adjacent to the longleaf pine community are included in the burn areas and allowed to seek a more natural condition under the influence of fire. These provide a variety of habitats to meet the needs of native wildlife and to provide an aesthetically pleasing variety of forest lands. Only areas of special interest are excluded from fire.

Fire is the most effective tool available for management of longleaf pine communities on wilderness uplands. Fire may be used to thin young forest stands, remove midstory pines and hardwoods, kill invading hardwood understory species, prepare seed beds for regeneration, and kill slash and other unwanted pine seedlings. If used skillfully, fire can accomplish most of these tasks without damage to the fire resistant longleaf seedlings. All distinguishable islands inside refuge boundaries receive periodic dormant or growing season bums. Other management activities conducted on the upland wilderness islands include red-cockaded woodpecker habitat surveys.

Habitat Management Planning

Okefenokee's forestry and biological staff are working on a new management plan, combining management of forest uplands, wetlands, hydrology, wildlife and other disciplines into one comprehensive plan. The draft of the plan is complete. Various units of the plan are undergoing staff review and rewrite. The fire unit is complete, and approved.

Forest Management Prescriptions

• The prescription for Compartment 15 was completed and approved. • Field work for the new Compartment 1 prescription was completed. Maps for the Compartment 1 prescription were prepared using the Geographic Information System on the refuge (Figure 7). • Selective thinning of slash pine stands in Compartment 4 to prepare foraging areas for nearby RCW groups was completed in June. Selective thinning in Compartment 7 to increase quality RCW habitat and to enhance or restore longleaf pine communities was completed. • Selective thinning continued in Compartment 12 to enhance and restore longleaf pine

33 communities. Longleaf pine had been planted on a three acre patch regeneration area. This area was expanded to 10 acres and the remaining seven acres was planted with longleaf pine. A Special Use Permit issued to Pierce Timber Company for selective thinning in Compartment 13 to enhance and restore longleaf pine communities and increase the quality of RCW habitat was completed in July. Several longleaf patch regeneration areas were established in Compartment 14 and a RCW expansion area was established. Selective thinning was completed on two of three sites in Compartment 15 to provide RCW translocation sites. The access road to the third site remained too wet for logging equipment to enter without causing unacceptable site damage. Dormant and growing season fire play a major role in meeting prescription goals.

Okefenokee NWR Compartment 1 - Cowhouse Island Stand Map

Dixon sta te F

y^/Powerline | Stands y\/Roads /\/NWR Boundary

N

Original Scale 1:24000 02/01 KM

Figure 7. Compartment stand map prepared using a Geographic Information System.

Timber Marking

Timber marking began in Compartment 15, based on the newly approved prescription, to provide RCW expansion areas, translocation sites, foraging habitat, and to enhance longleaf pine communities.

34 Timber Harvesting

Timber harvesting was conducted in Compartments 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13 and 15. Sales in Compartments 3 and 4 were small sales based on prescription amendments to support endangered species management projects. Sales in Compartments 5, 10,12, 13 and 15 accomplished habitat management activities planned in compartment prescriptions.

Eight sales were in progress during 2000. Four permits were issued during the year; two were carried over from CY 1998 and two from CY 1999.

Table 14 is a summary of forest products harvested during CY 2000. Table 15 is a 10-year summary of forest products removed.

35 Table 14. Forest products receipts for CY 2000. Special Permittee Value * Volume 2000 Use Area Product per Harvested Receipts Permit # Unit 2000 Axson Comp. 7 Pine $19.067 4,604 tons $87749 98-009 Timber Timber ton (1674 cds) M&G Comp. 4 Pine $7.82/ 2,441 tons $19,091 00-002 Logging Timber ton (888 cds) M&G Comp. 3 Pine $7.827 880 tons $6,879 99-053 Logging Timber ton (320 cds) Pierce Comp. 13 Pine $14.217 9,993 tons $142,007 98-045 Timber Co. Timber ton (3634 cds) 00-006 South GA Comp 4 Pine $7.27 49 tons $354 Timber Co. Timber ton (18 cds) 99-042 M&G Comp. 12 Pine $7.827 221 tons $1,728 Logging Timber ton (80 cds) 00-91939 M&G Comp. 10/5 Pine varies/ 1,802 tons $17,900 Logging Timber ton (655 cds) 00-047 M&G Comp. 15 Pine varies/ 919 tons $14,320 Logging Timber ton (334 cds) TOTALS 20,909 tons $290,028 ALL (7603 cds) PERMITS * Sale actually sold on weight basis by ton. Converted to cords for reference (2.75 tons = 1 cd.).

36 Table 15. Ten-year forest products removal summary. CY SAW TIMBER PULPWOOD POSTS TOTAL , (MBF) (CDS) (EA) VALUE DOLLARS

1991 4,394 90,090 $165,731

1992 1,343 14,420 $53,732

1993 .. 539 2,508 $23,336

1994 66 $3,199

1995 1,486 $ 77,559

1996 448 $ 23,489

1997 283 $2,778

1998 1,356 $43,438

1999 2,937 — $94,619

2000 7,603 $290,028 — —

37 Reforestation

Fifteen thousand containerized seedlings were obtained from Meeks' Farms in Kite, Georgia. The seedlings were planted in 29 sites by the firecrew and volunteers. Exact locations are shown in the Compartment atlases. Table 16 summarizes the years planting efforts.

Table 16. Longleaf pine planting sites, CY 2000. COMPARTMENT MGT NUMBER OF AREA REMARKS (Or Island) UNIT SEEDLINGS (Acres) Compartment 13 1 270 0.3 Patch regen/logging deck 1 5,100 10.9 Clear cut area on Hickory Hammock Rd 1 162 0.4 Patch regen/logging deck 1 153 0.3 Patch regen/logging deck 1 145 0.5 Patch regen/logging deck 1 165 0.5 Patch regen/logging deck 1 153 0.5 Patch regen/logging deck 2 100 1.1 Patch regen/logging deck 2 270 0.3 Patch regen/logging deck 2 222 0.3 Patch regen/logging deck 2 320 0.7 Patch regen/logging deck 2 2,950 4.8 Clear cut area along Perimeter Rd 4 150 0.4 Patch regen/logging deck 4 140 0.3 Patch regen/logging deck 4 165 0.3 Patch regen/logging deck 4 284 0.7 Patch regen/logging deck 4 326 0.6 Patch regen/logging deck Compartment 4 2 112 0.6 Patch regen/logging deck 2 126 0.6 Patch regen/logging deck 2 50 0.2 Patch regen/logging deck 2 62 0.3 Patch regen/logging deck 2 112 0.6 Patch regen/logging deck 2 140 0.6 Patch regen/logging deck 2 270 0.6 Patch regen/logging deck 1 300 0.4 Patch regen/logging deck Compartment 3 3 200 0.3 Lawn area north of the shop along incoming paved driveway 5 2,154 7.0 Mounding area westside of wildlife drive 5 300 1.0 Open area along westside of wildlife drive

Status of Longleaf Pine Community Restoration

During the past 25 years, over one thousand acres of longleaf pine plantations have been established on Okefenokee Refuge, most of it on poorly drained, difficult to plant sites. The forestry staff has experimented with several methods of planting, including direct seeding, bare root and containerized seedlings. Site preparation has varied from clearing and harrowing to planting on suitable natural and mounded microsites with no preparation at all. Local seed stock from refuge stands has been collected to compare seedling growth with those supplied by vendors.

38 Refuge goals are best accomplished by establishing natural regeneration. Where this is not possible, best survival is obtained by hand planting containerized seedlings. New direct seeding techniques may hold some promise. Native stock should be genetically preferable. Minimal site preparation is used to save remnants of fire-dependant understory communities that once existed. Open sites receive prescribed fire prior to planting. Shrub understories are chopped and burned. Heavy shrub sites are burned several times, then strip harrowed or mounded to provide planting beds without totally destroying native ground cover. Prescribed fire is used within two years after planting to reduce understory competition, stimulate native ground cover and unwanted slash pine volunteers.

Significant results from dormant and growing season fire and longleaf pine management are beginning to show. Patches of natural longleaf pine regeneration are appearing throughout the forest management compartments. Many native longleaf pine community components are beginning to appear where growing season fire has occurred. It is apparent through the use of selective thinning and prescribed fire, longleaf pine communities can be restored on Okefenokee's forest management compartments without massive clearcutting and planting operations.

Timber Stand Improvement

No timber stand improvement (TSI) was accomplished in 2000. A 26-acre direct seeded longleaf pine stand in Compartment 1 is scheduled for TSI work when funding and personnel are available. Most of the TSI work completed in forest stands, particularly mid-story hardwood removal in red-cockaded woodpecker foraging stands, is now achieved by growing and dormant season fire.

Swamp Forest

Swamp forest areas include all refuge wetland forest areas inside the swamp's edge and outside the perimeter of the interior islands (Table 17).

Table 17. Forest types within the swamp. Forest Type Acres Broad Leaved Hardwoods 15,424 Cypress 11,831 Scrub Pine 728 Mixed (Bay, Cypress, Pine) 55,359 Scrub Shrub 230,187 Total Swamp Forest 313,529

39 The basic goal of wetland management is to maintain the mosaic of wetland habitat types. Because most of the wetland area is located within national wilderness boundaries, habitat management activities are limited to natural and prescribed fire, habitat monitoring, and wildlife surveys.

Wildlife Openings

Emergency helispots have been developed within upland forests, some containing helicopter dipsites. These sites have added habitat diversity.

3.f. FIRE MANAGEMENT

Traditional upland communities are valuable to those species of native wildlife adapted to these fire dependent communities. This habitat, including understory fuels, has been drastically altered by changes in the fire regime. Understory fuel loads vary from moderate to extremely heavy and always recover rapidly after fuel reduction fires. Although upland habitats are fire-dependent, fire must be carefully managed to prevent destruction of valuable habitat along with the unnatural rough fuels. Until upland fuel types are restored to presettlement conditions by careful application of fire, mismanaged fire or wildfire may destroy valuable habitat.

Within the swamp; fire management is even more complex. Intense fire is desirable within the swamp; however, under conditions when fire is the most beneficial, control is impossible. During this time, the probability of fire leaving the swamp and endangering adjacent life and property is most likely to occur. Growing involvement of adjacent landowners in the Greater Okefenokee Association of Landowners (GOAL) has resulted in successful cooperative ventures, such as the Swamps Edge Break and the establishment of a series of helicopter dip sites. These features, along with the cooperative spirit of GOAL members, allow greater flexibility in the use of prescribed and natural fire in the maintenance of upland and wetland habitats with less negative impact on private property.

40 Prescribed Burning

During the past 30 years, dormant season fire has been used to reduce existing fuels. As understory woody shrub fuels are reduced, growing season fire has been applied to alter the fuel types from woody shrubs to warm season grasses and other ground covers associated with longleaf pine communities. When these conditions are achieved, many natural wildfires will benefit rather than destroy the habitat.

The winter or dormant season burning by refuge staff was very restricted due to extremely dry conditions. The months of March through May brought much lower than normal precipitation creating an early spring/summer fire season. Burning conditions were too severe for growing season prescribed burning. A backlog of proposed growing season prescribed fires already existed. Many of these burning units will have to be shifted back into a dormant season fuels reduction schedule before growing season prescribed fire can be continued.

Benefits of prescribed fire when properly applied are:

• Reduction of understory fuels. Conversion of fuel types from southern rough to a more manageable grass/low shrub type. • Restoration and maintenance of fire dependent understory communities. • Control of diseases, insects, and parasites. • Increase of available wildlife habitat. • Seed bed preparation for natural forest regeneration. • Improvement of access for forest and wildlife management. • Enhancement of aesthetic qualities.

During fiscal year 2000, 870 acres of 19,127 acres prescribed were burned (Table 18).

41 Table 18. FY 2000 Summary and Evaluation Burning Activities. AREA FIRE NO. ACRES ACRES DATE IGNITION BURN TOTAL COST/ REMARKS JURN UNIT (DI 1202) PLANNED BURNED BURNED METHOD EVAL COST ACRE :i-i - 630 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 32-1 4,938 154 154 02/02/00 G 3B 1,957.00 12.71 Overall good burn - - - - - 32-2 — 114 0 Unable to schedule — — — — — 32-3 70 0 — Unable to schedule 32-5 - 24 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 33-1 4,241 209 153 04/26/00 G 3B 2,200.00 14.38 Overall good burn 33-2 4,259 88 88 04/27/00 G 3B 1,610.00 18.30 Excellent burn 33-3 part 4,925 140 140 01/27/00 G 3A 1,541.00 11.00 Excellent burn 33-3 part 4,232 240 128 04/17/00 G 3A 1,134.00 8.86 Excellent burn 33-4 — 120 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 33-5 — 174 0 — — — — — Unable to schedule 33-7 — 130 0 - - - — - Unable to schedule K> 33-MISC.D <100 30 02/17/00 G 3A 1,343.00 44.78 Overall good bum :3-MISC.G - <100 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 34-1 — 278 0 — — — — — Unable to schedule — — — — — 34-2 285 0 — Unable to schedule 34-3 — 98 0 — - - — - Unable to schedule 34-MISC.D - <100 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 35-1 — 379 0 — — — — — Unable to schedule — - - — - 35-2 438 0 — Unable to schedule 35-3 — 248 0 — — — — — Unable to schedule — - — — - 35-4 188 0 — Unable to schedule - 114 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 35-5 _ 37-1 _ 240 0 — — — — Unable to schedule 37-2 — 179 0 - — - — - Unable to schedule — — — - 37-3 _ 252 0 - Unable to schedule 374 379 0 — — — — - Unable to schedule 37-5 _ 355 0 - - - — - Unable to schedule _ — - — - 37-6 241 0 — Unable to schedule 37-7 - 200 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule AREA FIRE NO. ACRES ACRES DATE IGNITION BURN TOTAL COST/ REMARKS JURN UNIT (DI 1202) PLANNED BURNED BURNED METHOD EVAL COST ACRE 28-1 328 0 Unable to schedule :8~2 272 0 — Unable to schedule 38-3 - 417 0 - - - Unable to schedule 38-4 327 0 - Unable to schedule :s-s 460 0 Unable to schedule :s-6 100 0 Unable to schedule 39-1 74 0 Unable to schedule 39-2 - 195 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 39-3 120 0 Unable to schedule 310-1 — 214 0 — — — Unable to schedule 310-2 102 0 . . , Unable to schedule 311-1 295 0 Unable to schedule U> 3ii-3 - 242 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 3ii-4 122 0 Unable to schedule 312-1 - 291 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 3i3-i 126 0 Unable to schedule 313-2 580 0 Unable to schedule 313-3 4,959 236 177 02/05/00 G 4D 9,470.00 53.50 Very intense fire behavior 314-1 - 230 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule 315-2 — 387 0 — Unable to schedule 315-3 363 0 , . . . , , . Unable to schedule 3i6-i 295 0 Unable to schedule 316-2 . 211 0 , , , , Unable to schedule 5EB-N 200 0 Unable to schedule SEB-NE 200 0 - Unable to schedule 5EB-NW - 200 0 - - Unable to schedule 5EB-SE 200 0 - - Unable to schedule 5EB-SW 200 0 Unable to schedule Blackjack Is. - 2,800 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule Boatlanding — 175 0 — — — — — Unable to schedule island AREA FIRE NO. ACRES ACRES DATE IGNITION BURN TOTAL COST/ REMARKS JURN UNIT (DI 1202) PLANNED BURNED BURNED METHOD EVAL COST ACRE Jugaboo — 352 0 — — — — — Unable to schedule sland ?owls Roost — 296 0 — — -— — — Unable to schedule sland loney Island - 2,080 0 - - - - - Unable to schedule dumber One — 170 0 — — — — — Unable to schedule sland TOTALS 19.127 870 19.255.00 22.13 IGNITION METHOD BURN EVALUATION

Fire and Resource Management Objectives Allowable Resource Damage Objectives (Crown Scorch. Mortality) G - Ignition by ground crews 1 - Prescribed fire failed to accomplish objectives. A - Little or no crown scorch. A - Aerial ignition 2 - Prescribed fire accomplished objectives in part, but not within B - Crown scorch within prescription prescription limits. limits. 3 - Prescribed fire accomplished objectives within prescription limits. C - Crown scorch exceeds prescription 4 - Prescribed fire accomplished objectives beyond prescription limits. limits. D - Excessive crown scorch - some mortality probable. Figure 10. Old longleaf pine stands were burned in the GA- 2 Fire on lands owned by Toledo Manufacturing. Old turpentine trees were burned through.

Fire #4106 / GA - 3 fAntioch) Fire (03/04/2000) The Georgia Forestry Commission requested the use of the refuge helicopter to assist with a fire threatening houses west of the refuge. The helicopter was dispatched and worked the fire until tractor plow units could plow a line around it.

Fire #4113 / GA - 4 (St. George) Fire (03/04/2000) The Georgia Forestry Commission requested the use of the refuge helicopter to assist with a fire threatening houses south of the refuge. The helicopter was dispatched and worked the fire until tractor plow units could plow a line around it.

47 Fire #4114 / GA - 5 (Argvle) Fire (03/04/2000) The Georgia Forestry Commission requested the use of the refuge helicopter to assist with a fire that was threatening houses west of the refuge. The helicopter was dispatched and worked the fire until tractor plow units could plow a line around it.

Fire #4221 / Snag #1 Fire (03/29/2000) One burning snag was discovered when the refuge helicopter was transporting refuge personnel to Pogo from Honey Island. It was monitored and by the next morning there were no signs of smoke.

Fire #4281 / Nat-out 1 Fire (05/08/2000) This fire was caused by a lightning strike in a live tree. Rain had put the fire out after it had spread to a tenth of an acre.

Fire #4292 /GA-6Fire (05/23/2000) The fire was located on the west side of the refuge on the east side of State Highway 441. The GFC requested the use of the refuge helicopter to assist in dropping water to cool the head of the fire so tractor plow units could get a line around the fire. After the helicopter worked the head of the fire and a plow line was around it the helicopter began dropping water on the hot spots that threatened control lines. The helicopter made 12 drops.

Fire #4327 / Cowhouse -1 Fire (06/14/2000) This fire was located on the north end of the swamp, east of Swamp Park by a GA Forestry patrol aircraft pilot. He contacted dispatch and the refuge responded with the helicopter and began dropping water. The GFC also responded with one tractor plow.

Fire #4331 / Honey Island Fire (06/15/2000) This fire was discovered during a refuge recon flight the morning of June 15, 2000. Initial size was three acres. The refuge helicopter and a type II helicopter from Lake City, FL worked the fire with water. Later, a type I helicopter was ordered from Lake City, FL. The three helicopters worked on the fire containing it by evening. The next day the type II helicopter returned to assist with mop-up operations.

Fire #4335 / Territorvl Fire (06/15/2000) This fire was located on a tree island just north of Territory Prairie. The GFC patrol aircraft discovered the fire and notified refuge dispatch. This fire was completely surrounded by water so it was monitored until no smoke was present.

Fire #4336 / Pine Island Fire (06/15/2000) A single smoldering tree was discovered during recon of the Honey Island Fire. A type I helicopter, which was working the Honey Island Fire, was reassigned to drop several buckets of water on the snag. After five drops, the helicopter went back to the Honey Island Fire. The Pine Island Fire was watched for the next several days with no sign of smoke.

48 Fire #4337 / Cross Bay Fire (06/15/2000) Located on the southwest side of the refuge, the fire was discovered by the refuge helicopter after the GFC tower operator in Fargo reported smoke. A GFC tractor plow unit was dispatched along with the refuge helicopter. The helicopter dropped five buckets of water on the fire, while the tractor plow unit plowed a line around it.

Fire #4339 / Snag #2 Fire (06/16/2000) A single snag was discovered in the north central part of the refuge during a morning recon. It was determined the snag was not a threat and no further action was taken.

Fire #4343 / Sweetwater Fire (06/17/2000) This fire was located on the southwest corner of the refuge. A refuge employee discovered the fire while going home after work. He and the GFC responded; the GFC plowed a line around the fire. The next day refuge staff returned and mopped up the fire.

Fire #4370 / GA - 7 Fire (06/17/2000) Georgia Forestry Commission requested the refuge helicopter to assist in locating this fire. The refuge helped guide GFC tractor plows into the fire.

Fire #4344 / GA - 8 Fire (06/18/2000) This was a state fire, which a refuge employee found and responded to with a tractor plow.

Fire #4365 / Territory! Fire (07/06/2000) This lightning fire was discovered by routine recon of the refuge. It was surrounded by water and was allowed to burn itself out.

Fire #4366 / Reggie Fire (07/06/2000) This fire was a natural out discovered by a refuge employee on Fiddlers Island.

Fire #4368 / Natural - Out 2 Fire (07/09/2000) This fire was discovered by a recon of the refuge. It had already been rained out and no action was taken.

Fire #4369 / Natural - Out 3 Fire (07/09/2000) This single tree fire was found during a fire recon of the refuge. It was monitored for a few days with no sign of smoke.

Fire #4371 / Greasy Branch Fire (06/19/2000) A natural out fire discovered during a recon of the refuge. It was monitored for a few days with no signs of smoke.

Fire #4373 / GA - 9 Fire (06/16/2000) This fire was discovered on Rayonier land by the refuge helicopter. Refuge dispatch contacted the GFC.

49 Fire #4376 / GA - 10 Fire (06/16/2000) Discovered by refuge helicopter on Rayonier land. The fire was reported to the GFC.

Fire #4377 / GA - 11 Fire (06/16/2000) Discovered on state land on the northside of the refuge by the refuge helicopter. The fire was reported to the GFC.

Fire #4378 / GA - 12 Fire (06/16/2000) A local resident reported a fire near their house. Refuge dispatch contacted the GFC. The refuge helicopter assisted the GFC in accessing the fire.

Fire #4381 / GA - 13 Fire (06/28/2000) Located on Toledo Manufacturing property, south of the refuge headquarters, one refuge employee responded to the fire. It was determined the GFC could handle it with one tractor plow unit.

Fire #4379 / Snag #3 Fire (07/11/2000) One burning snag was located northwest of Minnies Island. Nine buckets of water were dropped on the snag and it continued to smoke. Operations were stopped due to weather moving into the area. A recon the next day showed no visible smoke.

Fire #4380 / GA - 14 Fire (07/11/2000) This fire was located on International Paper property within the refuge automatic dispatch zone. The refuge responded with two tractor plows and two engines. A line was plowed around the fire and the engines mopped up.

Fire #4382 / GA - 15 Fire (07/11/2000) Several lightning fires were reported just south of the refuge, near GA Highway 94. The GFC responded to one and requested the refuge's assistance with another on the south side of the road. The refuge responded with two tractor plows.

Fire #4386 / Snag #4 Fire (07/12/2000) This fire was found during a normal recon of the refuge after an evening thunderstorm. After determining the fire would not spread and would burn itself out, the snag was monitored until no smoke was visible.

Fire #4387 / Snag #5 Fire (07/12/2000) This fire had no potential of spreading. The fire was monitored until no smoke was visible.

Fire #4388 / Snag #6 Fire (07/12/2000) This was the third fire found during a refuge recon with no potential of spreading. The snag was monitored until no smoke was visible.

50 Fire #4399 / GA - 16 Fire (07/22/2000) Located just east of the refuge on Toledo Manufacturing property, the refuge responded with two tractor plow units and one engine.

Fire #4400 / GA - 17 Fire (07/23/2000) This fire was discovered by GFC patrol aircraft. The refuge helicopter responded and discovered the fire was on state forest land. Te state forest supervisor requested the refuge helicopter to drop water on the fire. The helicopter dropped ten buckets of water,and the fire was monitored until no smoke was visible.

Fire #4433 / Snag #1 Fire (08/23/2000) This fire was found during a normal recon of the refuge after an evening thunderstorm. After determining the fire would not spread, it was monitored until no smoke was visible.

Fire #4418 / Bug South Fire (08/12/2000) This fire was discovered south of Bugaboo Island after severe thunderstorms passed through the refuge. Following refuge standard operating procedures, the fire was monitored since it had limited potential to spread. Two days later because of increasing fire danger, the decision was made to suppress the fire with water drops.

Fire #4431 / Hog Fire (08/19/2000) Following severe storms, the refuge helicopter found this fire south of Hog Island and west of Charles Island. The fire was burning on a tree island surrounded by prairie. The decision was made to continue with the recon flight. No water drops were made on the fire. The fire was allowed to burn itself out.

Fire #4428 / Cypress Creek Fire (08/20/2000) The GFC found the fire on August 19, 2000, but could not get to it due to heavy lightning and rain. The refuge helicopter found the fire the next morning in Compartment 16 just south of Cypress Creek. The refuge responded with one tractor plow and one type-6 engine. The GFC dispatched one tractor plow.

Fire #4434 / Snag #8 Fire (08/26/2000) This fire was found on a routine recon of the refuge following a thunderstorm the night before. The fire was located on Toledo Manufacturing property about 1.4 miles west of Perimeter Road. The 1C determined that it could spread to FWS land and no ground forces could reach the fire. The refuge helicopter dropped a total of 15 buckets of water on the snag. The snag was monitored until no smoke was visible.

Off-Refuge Fire / Interagencv Assignments

Twelve refuge personnel were involved in 24 off refuge fire assignments during 2000. These personnel and the positions they filled are listed in Section 9.b.

51 Other Facilities - Swamps Edge Break

The Okefenokee Swamp and surrounding uplands depend upon fire to preserve the conditions and habitats supporting the wildlife species native to the Okefenokee Refuge. The difficulty of keeping prescribed and wildfires within the swamp and refuge boundaries to accomplish desired objectives, when conditions are sufficiently dry, presents a difficult and costly fire management challenge.

The Swamps Edge Break (SEB) was completed during 1993. The break supports a fuels management zone around the swamp. This zone allows indirect suppression actions during wildfires and allows greater use of prescribed fire to accomplish objectives. The construction and maintenance of the fuels management zone is a cooperative venture between the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Florida Division of Forestry, the Fish and Wildlife Service and private landowners.

Maintenance and improvements were continued along sections of the SEB utilizing fire severity funding. Several helicopter dip sites were enlarged and deepened with fire severity funds.

Fire Management Planning

The Fire Management Plan is complete and approved. The Fire Management Plan will be one unit of a more comprehensive Habitat Management Plan.

3.g. CONTROL PEST PLANTS

Growth of shrubs and greenbrier along boat and canoe trails is a continuous problem. The trail cutter cut the trails out of Suwannee Canal Recreation Area and a portion of the trails out of Kingfisher Landing.

Pesticide Use Proposals were submitted for Rodeo, Garlon 3 A, Bait'em, Bushwhacker Fire Ant Control, Amdro, Sulfur, Garlic Barrier, Rabon, D-Con, Pest Strip, Malathion, Orthene and Hydramethlynon Gel. Rodeo is used on mats of maidencane, emergent vegetation, and shrub species adjacent to canoe and boat trails; however, no Rodeo was used in this manner during 2000. Rodeo was only used around refuge and public facilities to eliminate weeds within graveled areas and around buildings. Garlon 3 A is only used when it is desirable to kill larger trees to create snags and reduce competition for the establishment of more desirable trees. None was used in 2000. The other pesticides are insecticides that are used around public facilities and within refuge buildings.

52 4. FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

4.a. BIRD BANDING

Refer to section 1 .a. for RCW banding information.

4.b. DISEASE MONITORING AND TREATMENT

Nothing to Report.

4.c. REINTRODUCTIONS

Nothing to Report.

4.d. NEST STRUCTURES

No wood duck boxes were installed or serviced this year due to low water levels.

Refer to Section l.a. for installation of RCW inserts.

4.e. PEST, PREDATOR AND EXOTIC ANIMAL CONTROL

One aggressive alligator at Stephen C. Foster State Park boat basin had to be dispatched. Four hogs were dispatched during the year. Two were taken from Cowhouse Island and the other two were taken from Chesser Island.

53 5. COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

5.a. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

Over the past year, interagency ecosystem coordination continued through the Suwannee Basin Interagency Alliance. In this forum, representatives of federal (Natural Resources Conservation Service, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U. S. Geological Survey), Florida (Suwannee River Water Management District, Department of Environmental Protection, Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Division of Forestry), and Georgia (Environmental Protection Division, Division of Wildlife Resources, Department of Agriculture, and Forestry Commission) agencies are working together to promote effective communication and coordination, and develop a comprehensive natural resource management plan for the basin utilizing the planning process adopted by the State of Georgia. In December 2000, a water quality report, Suwannee River Basin 1998 Surface Water Quality Report: Florida and Georgia (Suwannee River Water Management District Water Resources Report - WROO-06) was jointly authored and published by Georgia EPD and the Suwannee River Water Management District. The report contains data collected from the swamp during the nutrient and pesticide monitoring study conducted in 1998-99 by the Brunswick ES Field Office. Throughout the year, members of the Alliance have planned a Suwannee Basin Research Symposium scheduled for April 11 and 12, 2001. The Alliance continues to hold regular meetings and publish a newsletter.

5.b. TRIBAL COORDINATION

Nothing to Report.

5.c. PRIVATE LAND ACTIVITIES

Proposed Starlight Amphitheater

Approximately four miles from the east boundary of the refuge, land was cleared for the establishment of an amphitheater (Figure 11). Plans are to have at least 30 events per year. The facility would hold 27,000 people at each event. A lodge and associated activities have been mentioned as a continuation of the project.

The refuge staff worked with experts in light and sound pollution from Georgia Technical Institute to monitor baseline conditions (Section l.b.) (Figure 12). There was also concern about

54 increased air pollution from the increased traffic, drainage from the site into the St. Marys River, and traffic flow on a two lane road.

flMPHITHERTER'

Figure 11. Site four miles from the refuge's east boundary where an amphitheater is planned.

55 Figure 12. Sound monitoring equipment on the Chesser Island boardwalk.

Proposed E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Titanium Mining Project

Proposed in 1994, a DuPont heavy minerals mine on 38,000 acres directly adjacent to the east boundary of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area remains a threat to the swamp. This operation would remove zircon, staurolite, and the titanium minerals, ilmenite, rutile, and leucoxene. The mining operation would include: 1) clearing of vegetation in approximately 1- mile square sections, 2) dredging the cleared area down to 50 feet below ground level with a sand dredge and extracting the minerals, and 3) back-filling and reclaiming (i.e., re-vegetating) the mined area. At any time, about three square miles would be cleared: one for active mining, one for reclamation, and one in preparation for mining.

Significant, long-term alterations to the hydrology and water quality of the Okefenokee Swamp and St. Marys River are likely. Impacts could include the destruction of thousands of acres of wetlands, alterations to surface water inflow, and permanent changes to the hydrological relationships among the swamp, the underlying aquifer, and the surficial ground water in the adjacent mined area. The mining process also may mobilize contaminants, thus, degrading surface and ground water quality. Air quality in the Class I Wilderness Area may be degraded by dust, smoke, soot, and exhaust emissions generated at the mine. Endangered species and their habitats that may be directly affected include red-cockaded woodpeckers, indigo snakes, and wood storks. In addition to environmental effects, the mine operation could significantly degrade the unique wilderness experience available to the annual 400,000 refuge visitors through a variety of visual impacts and noise pollution. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's

56 Section 404 wetland dredge and fill permit, and surface mining, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), ground water withdrawal, and water quality certification permits from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will be required.

As a result of increasing opposition by the Department of the Interior (Department), the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the public, DuPont temporarily halted the necessary permitting process in June 1997, and hired an independent facilitator (Resolve Inc.) to begin a "collaborative process" to determine and address concerns about the mining proposal. The collaborative process included representatives from local and county governments, environmental groups, DuPont, and other local and regional interests. All federal and state agencies were directed by the Department and the Georgia Governor's Office not to participate. Participants met regularly from August 1997 to January 1999.

On December 9, 1998, the collaborative group met in a closed session to discuss a no mining proposal. A subsequent press release outlined a $90 million buyout proposal that included permanent retirement of the titanium dioxide mineral rights on all 38,000 acres through purchase, exchange or other mechanisms. The proposal also presented the possibility that 10,000 acres of mine project land could be added to the refuge and that an Okefenokee Education and Research Center would be developed. On February 5, 1999, the members of the collaborative held a signing ceremony in Folkston, Georgia, where they formally ratified the agreement and dissolved the collaborative process.

To date, the no mining agreement has not been implemented despite several attempts to fund the proposal. On March 23, 1999, the entire Georgia congressional delegation formally asked the Department to allow the Service to enter into discussions about the no mine agreement; no Departmental approval was given. On April 13, 1999, Congressman Saxby Chambliss unsuccessfully submitted fiscal year 2000 appropriations requests to the House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies for $16.7 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to acquire DuPont lands and $520,000 for support for the education and research center. In January 2001, Governor of Georgia, Roy Barnes, included $2 million to fund the Okefenokee Education and Research Center in his annual budget request to the State Legislature. Success of the no mine agreement will depend on the ability of members of the collaborative to secure the necessary funding from private foundations, universities, government agencies or other sources. DuPont has publicly stated that if funding for the agreement is not raised, they will explore other options, presumably including re- initiation of a mining alternative.

Although the Service is pleased DuPont appears to be making progress on a plan that permanently protects Okefenokee NWR and prevents any mining on its borders, it is premature to speculate on how the Service will be involved. No acquisition planning, discussions, or negotiations with DuPont have been conducted by the Service in preparation for this potential project as outlined in the no mine agreement. However, the Service's North Florida Ecosystem Team has discussed the development of a Preliminary Project Proposal (PPP) for inclusion in the Land Acquisition Priority System (LAPS) and has decided to defer project planning until funding is directed to the Service by Congress or other sources and the Department indicates support for the acquisition.

The Service strongly believes it is inappropriate for DuPont to carry out mining activities along the eastern boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge because of the unknown and potentially severe consequences to this unique and priceless ecosystem. Further, although we are generally

57 encouraged that DuPont, local residents, landowners, and Georgia conservation groups continue to work toward implementation of a consensus plan to save the Okefenokee NWR from the effects of the proposed strip mine, we believe the $90 million buyout price, as described in the current form of the no mine agreement, maybe grossly inflated and should be subject to negotiation. 5.d. OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES

Nothing to Report.

5.e. COOPERATIVE/FRIENDS ORGANIZATIONS

Cooperating Association

The Okefenokee Wildlife League (OWL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports education and research projects at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. OWL provides a part time manager to operate the bookstore, funds special events, and supports the refuge with volunteer assistance.

As a result of a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant received in 1998, a local author continues to write A Birders Guide to the Okefenokee. The first several chapters are being reviewed.

On April 8, twenty-five volunteers from Merritt Island enjoyed a guided boat tour on the Suwannee Canal. Afterwards, OWL board members and volunteers hosted a low country boil supper for the group.

Renovations and vast improvements in OWL merchandise brought a large increase in sales for the month of November. Overall profits and visitation for OWL increased, despite trail closures and renovations of public use facilities (Table 19).

58 Table 19. Profits for OWL over the past two years. 2000 1999 January $ 1,646 $2,017 February $ 2,522 $ 2,234 March $ 5,335 $ 3,490 April $ 5,588 $ 4,921 May $ 2,409 * $ 3,472 June $ 1,247 * $1,311 July $ 1,794 * $ 2,494 August $ 1,444 * $ 1,310 September $ 1,979 * $ 1,711 October $2,316* $ 4,068 November $ 5,891 $ 3,059 December $ 2,602** $ 3,266

* Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center closed. ** Swamp Island Drive closed.

On November 13, Okefenokee Wildlife League sponsored the Grand Opening of the Visitors Center for congressional delegates, regional office staff, partners and community leaders. Approximately 150 people participated. On November 18, OWL also sponsored a community Grand Opening. The theme of the renovated exhibits is Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Activities included educational stations to learn how all these elements are needed for the Okefenokee Ecosystem, local choirs, and music by the "Shade Tree Pickers." Approximately 400 visitors participated.

59 6. RESOURCE PROTECTION

6.a. LAW ENFORCEMENT

No changes in law enforcement staff occurred in 2000, as one full-time officer (Jim Shelton) and three dual-function officers (Shaw Davis, Greg Blanks and Stacey Welch) performed duties on the 400,000 acre refuge. Thirty-two Federal cases and forty-eight State/County cases were made this year (Table 20 and 21).

Table 20. Federal cases for CY2000. Refuge Violations Number of Cases Possession of a firearm on a NWR 10 Trespassing on a NWR 4 Use of an outboard motor in a Wilderness Area 4 Disturbing wildlife 4 Operating a motor vehicle in excess of speed limit 1 No Personal Flotation Device 1 Hunting or attempt to hunt on a NWR 1 No boat registration 1 Taking wildlife without a permit 1 Off road travel in a "Closed Area" 1 No fishing license 1 Feeding wildlife 1 Discharge of a firearm on a NWR 1 Littering 1 Total 32

60 Figure 21. Violations written by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Officers and County Sheriff Departments. Violations Number of Cases Possession of a controlled substance 10 Cannabis less than 1 oz. (10 arrest) Possession of illegal narcotic paraphernalia 10 Fishing without a valid fishing license 9 No PFD on board 7 Invalid boat registration 5 Possession of alcohol by minors 3 Driving with open container of alcohol 3 Theft of Government Property 1 Total 48

Due to low water levels in the swamp, which decreased visitor numbers, and Officer Shelton's health, cases this year were about half what they normally are. Thirty-three incident reports were written by refuge officers, ranging from simple trespass to illegal taking of alligators. There were two cases of interest:

• A refuge concession employee was apprehended by Refuge and county officers for stealing $300.00 in entrance fee money. As of the writing of this narrative, the case has not yet been settled.

• In November, the refuge received a complaint from a visitor stating he had witnessed a person shooting a white-tailed deer on the refuge. Officer Shelton was notified and was en route to the area when he spotted a vehicle matching the description of the shooter's vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and permission was obtained to search it. The trunk of the car was lined in plastic and two weapons were found in the trunk. One had recently been fired. The driver confessed to shooting a doe on the refuge and the weapons were seized. When Officer Shelton checked the criminal history on the subject, it was revealed he was a felon and could not possess firearms. The subject was fined $850.00 and the refuge is seeking forfeiture of the two weapons. 6.b. WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS

See Section 3.f.

61 6.c. PERMITS AND ECONOMIC USES MANAGEMENT

See Section l.b.

6.d. CONTAMINANT CLEANUP

Nothing to Report.

6.e. MANAGE WATER RIGHTS

Nothing to Report. 6.f. MANAGE CULTURAL RESOURCES

Nothing to Report.

6.g. FEDERAL FACILITY COMPLIANCE ACT

Nothing to Report.

6.h. LAND ACQUISITION

Nothing to Report.

6.1. WILDERNESS AND NATURAL AREAS

Nothing to Report.

6.j. THREATS AND CONFLICTS

See Section 5.c.

62 7 ALASKA ONLY

63 8. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RECREATION

8.a. PROVIDE VISITOR SERVICES

Visitor Service Highlights

Years of hard work finally paid off with two major improvements to the visitor services program at the East Entrance to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, both of which came to fruition in the fall of 2000.

After more than three years of developing concept plans, briefing elected officials, contracting, design, and many, many, trips to Atlanta, new exhibits were installed at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center. This project involved nearly every refuge staff member and many volunteers; from feeding Congressional representatives and staffs on their visits, to developing briefing materials, reviewing content and design plans, removing old exhibits, moving staff to temporary office trailers, and cleaning the building prior to opening. The management team worked especially hard to produce thoughtful comments to content reviews, despite tight deadlines. Several staff members, including Judy Drury and Doug Nuss, participated in filming on short notice. Other visitor services staff members provided back up when Jim Burkhart or Maggie O'Connell were required elsewhere. It was truly a staff effort and the end result is something the whole refuge can be proud of.

The second major improvement came as Okefenokee Adventures, Inc. began operations at the East Entrance. The most immediate and visible improvement was their inventory of new Carolina Skiff boats, four-stroke engines, earth-toned fiberglass canoes and kayaks, and other items. Their desire to work in partnership with the refuge and the community is expected to be a long term advantage to the refuge.

Visitor Use Statistics

Visitors continue to come to Okefenokee NWR from all 50 states and over a dozen countries. Dry weather, wildlife drive closure, and waterway closures (overnight canoe trails were open for only one-night trips) affected visitation during 2000 (Table 22, 23, and 24).

64 Table 22. Visitation by entrance. Entrance 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 East 84,471 102,950 127,501 134,784 136,106 West 93,177 96,296 127,758 91,881 130,137 North 64,724 74,173 74,062 82,593 81,428 Total 242,372 273,419 329,321 309,258 347,671

Table 23. Day-use. Trail Number of Visits Homestead Trail 778 Deerstand Trail 3,053 Boardwalk ("Swamp Walk") 63,006 Upland Discovery Trail 3,861 Canal Diggers Trail 3,441 Swamp Island Drive (auto tour) 76,170

Table 24. Visits to Interpretive Exhibits. 2000 1999 Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center 26,827 33,682 Chesser Island Homestead 15,550 22,846

Public Use Facility Improvements

Infrastructure improvements continued at the East Entrance to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge during 2000. Staff and volunteers completed all work on the Swamp Walk Boardwalk: re-decked and replaced stringers on the two 800' spur trails, replaced the two old photo blinds with rest shelters, replaced the four rest shelters on the main trail, installed toe rails along the entire trail, and replaced the former tram shelters at both the Swamp Boardwalk and Chesser Island Homestead parking lots. At the end of 2000, the Owl's Roost Tower was undergoing a major renovation. A contractor is replacing all the decking, stairs, railings, and secondary woodwork, as well as replacing the roof. By early 2001, the boardwalk and tower will be completely re-opened.

Refuge volunteers continue to help trim boat, canoe, and hiking trails. Low water levels precluded cutting several boat trails during the winter of 1999-2000; water levels have not

65 improved to the point of beginning winter cutting. When rains arrive, it will require a major effort to cut and trim boat trails.

A floating dock was installed about three miles up the Yellow Trail, to replace the old Cedar Hammock platform. It is intended for day-use only and was installed as an experiment to see if this type of dock can work in the Okefenokee. The platform is 90% complete, but water levels must rise to finish installation.

The Bluff Lake Shelter was completely replaced in 2000, with new pilings, stringers, decking, and roof. The former pilings were not set deeply enough and the platform had begun sinking. A new floor had been installed on top of the first to keep the shelter in operation. This old structure was completely removed and visitors have expressed appreciation with the new structure.

Several improvements were made inside the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center in preparation for new exhibits. The entire lighting system was replaced, when electricians found dangerous, deteriorated wires in the fixtures. Circuits were combined and staff can now turn on almost all exhibits and lights from two central switches. Duct work in the auditorium was insulated and rerouted to eliminate noise and increase efficiency. Thirty-year-old plexiglass windows on the west wall of the main exhibit area were replaced with regular glass and the old wooden blinds were removed. New carpet was installed in the auditorium, office, and booksales area. The old carpet was removed without damaging the asbestos tiles in the booksales area. Future refuge staff may want to take note that when the current carpet is removed, they may have a hazmat problem. In the Visitor Center Office, the old sink and cabinets were replaced, new furniture was installed, new shelves installed in the storage room, and the office was painted.

The old log shop building, old pole shed, Chesser Island Homestead and Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center were re-roofed with 5-V crimp metal roofing. Work at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center also included removing the chimney, installing a gabled entry, straightening the curved patio roof, and re-paving the entry and west walkway.

A contract for re-paving Swamp Island Drive, Kingfisher Landing parking lot, and the Suwannee River Sill parking lot was awarded in 2000. The work included replacing culverts along Swamp Island Drive. Work is progressing well and is expected to be complete in early 2001.

Staff and volunteers cleaned, scrubbed, and painted the interior and exterior of the Okefenokee Adventures building as the new contract began. They removed part of the wall between the kitchen and sales area, installed a countertop, improved wiring and plumbing work, installed a new commercial sink, and paneled walls.

Work was started on the next stages of facility improvement at the East Entrance. A Request for Engineering Services was submitted to remodel bathrooms at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, in order to increase visibility and accessibility. Another Request was submitted to re-design parking lots and sidewalks at the East Entrance. The Regional Landscape Architect prepared a concept plan and is finalizing design to improve traffic flow, reduce non-compatible uses, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce maintenance at the picnic area. Later stages of the proposed plan

66 include improving trailheads, increasing interpretation along trails, and improving interpretation at the Chesser Island Homestead.

A fee booth was installed at the East Entrance, to increase entrance fee compliance and provide a personal welcome to visitors. Assistant Refuge Manager Mindy Gautreaux worked with the GA Department of Transportation, Okefenokee Rural Electric, and a drilling company to run electricity under the road to the booth. Plumbing was not installed, but a composting toilet is located nearby.

Policy Changes

During the year, staff began evaluating the effects of policy changes that were enacted during 1999.

Entrance Fees

Staff at the West Entrance (Stephen Foster State Park) and the East Entrance concession (Okefenokee Adventures) collect entrance fees for the refuge. In addition, the entrance fee program was expanded to include the Suwannee River Sill and Kingfisher Landing. At both unstaffed areas, visitors are required to go to a staffed location to purchase a weekly or annual pass. Both are remote areas; neither are secure enough to locate a self-service fee station.

Fee booth operation at the East Entrance is in its first full year of operation (the booth was finally opened in May, but soon went to weekend-only operation for the summer). Daily operation resumed in September.

Commercial Guiding

The second year of requiring training, insurance and applications from commercial guides was uneventful. There were some violations of the guiding policy during the year; and the distinction between commercial and non-commercial guiding remains gray. However, most organizations have accepted the policy willingly.

Wilderness Canoe Program

Work continues slowly on making the wilderness canoe trail reservation system more user friendly, less time consuming for staff, and easier to navigate. Efforts to contract the system through the National Park Service were not successful, so staff are seeking computer programs that will eliminate paperwork and operational steps.

Environmental Education Exhibits

In FY99, Congress appropriated $1.0 million to renovate exhibits at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center. The appropriation was the result of work by Congressman Saxby Chambliss and the

67 Georgia Congressional Delegation. The new Environmental Education exhibits are user-friendly, accessible, and appeal to a wide variety of ages and learning styles. Additional funding was received from the State of Georgia (for the audio-visual program) and from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (for the orientation kiosk).

The end result is a series of exhibits that engage and involve visitors of all ages and abilities. Children can climb a tower to look at Life in the Cypress Canopy, discover invertebrates in the Swamp Sub, and walk on the trembling earth. Adults can research refuges, wilderness areas, and weather information on the Internet Research station; decide their next activity at the Orientation Kiosk; or listen to the animatronic storyteller. The associated film, the result of hours of filming, research, and discussion, is a visual and auditory journey through the haibtats, animals, and history of the Okefenokee. It relies on spectacular images, natural sounds, original music, and historic film to create an emotional connection with visitors.

The diorama exhibits that were previously housed in the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center were provided to other refuges and put on long term loan with the City of Folkston.

Interpretation

Staff provided several different programs and orientations during 2000; including programs for NATO scientists, elderhostels, the Georgia Sheriffs Boys Ranch, and the Georgia DNR. Staff and volunteers conducted Owl Prowls during the spring (night-time boardwalk tours) and spent time roving trails and providing spontaneous interpretation.

The Wilderness Canoeing brochure was re-written and re-formatted and a Volunteer brochure was produced.

Environmental Education

Local Teacher Josh Howard continues to work on a Teacher's Guide to the Okefenokee. He and Supervisory Refuge Ranger Jim Burkhart presented three education programs via GSAMS. They also worked with Zoo Atlanta to present a program on GSAMS cooperation to fifty teachers in Albany, GA.

Environmental Education for 2000. Visits Activity Hours Students 700 1,400 Teacher 1,241 2,482

68 On-site Special Events

Wings Over the Swamp

On a very chilly Saturday, approximately 350 visitors celebrated "Wings Over The Swamp." Participants enjoyed programs that included a live raptor show, gourd basket class, puppet show, singing by local choirs, bird programs, owl prowls, and special boat tours.

National Wildlife Week/Earth Day

Approximately 100 people attended the event and activities which included puppet shows, live music, bird walk, youth art activities, shocking the waters, Indian lifestyle demo, and special boat tours. Rainy weather and other local activities likely contributed to the relatively small turnout for this event.

National Fishing Week

This year's National Fishing Week celebration was held on May 20. Fourteen youth participated in the event which included a Pathways to Fishing demonstration, fishing tournament, cookout, and prizes. Low water made this year's activity more challenging, as alligators were fairly aggressive in the area.

National Wildlife Refuge Week/Okefenokee Festival

National Wildlife Refuge Week and the Okefenokee Festival continue to overlap each year. Again in 2000, the Chesser Island Homestead was the focus of activities. More than 1,500 people enjoyed singing, storytelling, and pioneer craft such as: butter churning, pine straw baskets, palmetto brooms, woodstove cooking and others.

The refuge used shuttle buses to transport visitors from the Visitor Center parking area to the Homestead during the event. Bus interpreters included the AmeriCorp Team and volunteers. Each bus also contained a VCR and television. Bus interpreters provided a guided tour on the way to the Homestead; on the return trip, the nine-minute "National Wildlife Refuge System" video was shown.

Richard S. Bolt Visitors Center Grand Opening

Several events were held in conjunction with the completion of environmental education exhibits at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center.

Staff, volunteers, and their families enjoyed a sneak preview of the exhibits and film prior to the actual opening. Roughly 70 people attended the evening event.

The formal Grand Opening Ceremony was held on Monday, November 13th. Over 150 people were invited and speakers included Regional Director Sam Hamilton, State Representative Charlie

69 Smith, Jr., Project Manager from Malone Ted Cornett, and U.S. Congressman Saxby Chambliss. People from the local community, state and federal agencies, government officials, volunteers, and many others attended the ribbon cutting ceremony (Figure 13). The Okefenokee Wildlife League hosted a buffet luncheon after the ceremony and fed well over 100 people.

Figure 13. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Official Grand Opening ceremony at the Richard Bolt Visitor Center. (L-R) Sam Hamilton, Skippy Reeves, U.S. Congressman Saxby Chambliss, State Representative Charlie Smith, Jr., and Ted Cornett.

On November 18, the newly renovated Visitor Center had its Grand Opening for the citizens (Figure 14). Visitors were asked to visit stations to learn about fire, air, water, and earth contributing to the make-up of the Okefenokee Swamp. Once visited, the participants received a token of each station to put in a pouch to take home with them. Approximately 400 participated due to some local music groups that came out to sing.

70 Figure 14. Visitors at the Grand Opening of the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center.

Yule Log Festival

Due to the Wildlife Drive being closed for a paving project, the 2000 Yule Log Ceremony was held at the Visitor Center on a crisp winter night in December with approximately 100 visitors in attendance. Singing, cookies and hot chocolate were enjoyed by all.

Hunting

Georgia DNR Ranger Mike Brooks presented two Hunter Education courses at Okefenokee NWR for a total of 45 people.

The annual quota hunt at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area was held on October 27 and 28. Thirty-two people participated and five deer were harvested.

The Cowhouse Unit was again open in conjunction with the adjacent Dixon Memorial Wildlife Management Area.

71 Fishing

Trail closures due to low water levels affected fishing in the swamp during 2000.

On-refuge anglers. 2000 1999 1998 East Entrance 656 946 547 West Entrance 2,423 3,635 5,567 Kingfisher Landing 562 95 404 Suwannee River Sill 2,712 3,004 5,149 TOTAL 6,355 7,680 11,667

Camping

Tent, RV, and cabin camping are available at the West Entrance (Stephen C. Foster State Park).

Campers at Stephen C. Foster State Park. Number of Visits Activity Hours Tent/RV Campers 4382 10,955 Cabin Users 1718 4,295

Concessions

Each of the three refuge entrances offer concession services: boat and canoe rentals, boat tours, food service, and other services. The North Entrance (Okefenokee Swamp Park) contract was renewed in 1999 through 2008.

The West Entrance (Stephen C. Foster State Park) is operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Significant changes occurred in 2000 as the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area concession contract expired and was advertised. In January, former concession owners Carl and Kay Glenn announced they would not compete for the next contract (Their's had been extended for a year while policy and acquisition regulations were being discussed at the Regional and Washington Offices).

In July, it was announced that Okefenokee Adventures, Inc., owned by Chip and Joy Campbell, were the successful bidders. Both have extensive experience paddling and guiding in the

72 Okefenokee and bring a strong environmental ethic to the operation. While the transition process was more complicated than any of us thought, it was successful. Luckily, the month of September is normally a low visitation month, which allowed Okefenokee Adventures to settle in.

Several changes were made to the new contract to reflect the changing demographics and interests of our visitors, to improve customer service, and to promote a more community and environment-oriented operation. In response to these changes, Okefenokee Adventures has replaced aluminum canoes with fiberglass, earth toned canoes and kayaks; purchased new Carolina skiffs and four stroke engines; offer good quality food service; and improved the quality of their sales items. They are working with other local establishments to offer package tours and special services. They participate in Chamber of Commerce events and opportunities.

In addition to regular monthly inspections, refuge staff schedule monthly meetings with Chip and Joy to discuss and resolve any issues related to the operation, from facility needs to staff training and uniforms. This has proven to be beneficial for both staff and the concession operation. Visitor response to the new operation has been enthusiastic.

8.b. OUTREACH

Partnerships

Zoo Atlanta

Okefenokee NWR staff continue to work with Zoo Atlanta on GSAMS programs, articles for ZooMagazine, and the Virtual Explorer program (an environmental education partnership with Charlton County schools). Due to the number of events surrounding the opening of the environmental education exhibits and some scheduling problems, staff elected not to conduct the Okefenokee Festival at Zoo Atlanta.

Outreach Initiatives

DuPont Outreach

While there was very little activity related to the DuPont issue during the year, staff continued to place displays in the visitor center and other locations as needed. Staff and volunteers also staffed exhibits at the Buck-a-rama and Fish-a-rama events in Perry, GA. Over 35,000 people attended each event.

Web Page

Grade Gooch continues to be the refuge webmaster and updates the web page for the refuge. The Okefenokee Wildlife League also began a web site in 2000.

73 Local Community Outreach

Refuge staff participated in several community organizations, including the Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce, Better Hometowns Program, Kiwanis, and other organizations. Staff also attended meetings on the Georgia Scenic Byways initiative and on the Folkston Clean and Beautiful campaign. Refuge staff and volunteers participated in the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life event.

Elected Official Visits

Congressman Saxby Chambliss visited Okefenokee twice in 2000. On October 14, Okefenokee Festival day, he was given a "sneak preview" of the environmental education exhibits. He returned again for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Staff from Senator Cleland and Senator Miller's Savannah offices (Jared Downs and Mimi Witherington) spent a day on the refuge. Ms. Witherington returned for the visitor center grand opening.

Fire Outreach

Despite dry weather and little rainfall, there was little wildfire activity on the refuge during 2000. Okefenokee provided some information support to the Georgia Forestry Commission during the Toledo fire, but was otherwise spared duties during an otherwise hectic summer.

North Florida Ecosystem Outreach

Staff continue to participate in outreach projects for the North Florida Ecosystem. For two years, staff have worked on producing radio Public Service Announcements (PSA) and advertisements. The project reached the Washington office, but was stalled when it was discovered that the Service could not purchase radio time. Staff are working to produce compact disks with the PSAs on them.

Ranger Lori Ward and Intern Shannon Cromwell staffed a Service booth at the Florida State Fair.

Volunteers Jack and Sally Webb staffed a refuge booth at the annual Pelican Island birthday celebration.

Other Outreach Initiatives

Supervisory Refuge Ranger Jim Burkhart staffed a refuge display at the 75th Anniversary of Boy Scout Troop #123 in Lakeland, FL. Over 100 people attended the event.

Supervisory Refuge Ranger Jim Burkhart and Volunteers Sally Webb and Dotty Porter staffed a refuge exhibit at the Kingsland Visitor Center on 1-95 and contacted over 1,000 people.

74 Refuge staff attended the annual Kiwanis Family Festival in Folkston.

Georgia Nature-Based Tourism Association

Supervisory Refuge Ranger Jim Burkhart continues to be active with the Georgia Nature-Based Tourism Association, an organization of outfitters, campgrounds, and other stakeholders.

Media Contacts/Events

Refuge staff participated in several interviews during the years, many related to the re-opening of the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center. Other interviews were conducted as severe drought and fire danger increased south Georgia. Refuge staff went to considerable effort to downplay the effects of drought and low water on visitation and emphasized opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Supervisory Refuge Ranger Jim Burkhart was interviewed by CBS Evening News regarding the effects of the ongoing drought in Georgia. Several other refuge staff were interviewed throughout the year by Gordon Jackson of the Georgia Times Union for several different topics.

Ranger Maggie O'Connell participated in:

• A radio interview with Madge Brunner of WJCT (Florida Public Radio) regarding Wildlife Week activities. • An interview by FOX31 News in Jacksonville regarding drought conditions and wildlife viewing opportunities. • An interview by Frank Barnas from Valdosta State University for a documentary he is producing. • Two interviews with Mary Kate Thompson from the Charlton County Herald on wildlife viewing opportunities and the environmental education exhibit project.

Off-refuge Special Events/Community Events

Okefenokee Fair

For the fifth year, all three refuge entrances cooperated on a booth at the Okefenokee Regional Fair in Waycross, Georgia. Due largely to the efforts of Okefenokee Swamp Park, the booth won second place.

Relay for Life

Once again, Refuge Ranger Grade Gooch captained the Okefenokee Relay for Life team, a community effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The event requires teams to field at least nine people to walk for 14 hours, beginning at 7:00 p.m. (One person from the team must be on the track at all times.) Over fifty refuge staff members and volunteers participated in the event, which also included a cookout.

75 Kiwanis Family Festival

The local Kiwanis Family Festival continues to grow in popularity. The festival offers parenting workshops, dance and martial arts demonstrations, programs for kids, and community information. The Refuge staffed a touch and feel booth and did face painting for the event.

76 9 PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

9.a. COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLANNING

All refuge management staff obtained Comprehensive Conservation Planning training during the year (Figure 15). It was decided that Biologist Sara Aicher would coordinate the planning effort for Okefenokee NWR's CCP. The planning process was discussed at several meetings with partners. The gathering of information has begun with a large portion compiled in the refuge's draft Habitat Management Plan.

Figure 15. Refuge management staff participate in CCP training.

77 9.b. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Table 25. A five-year comparison of Okefenokee's approved staffing pattern. Full-time Career-Seasonal Temporary Firefighters Firefighters FY 2000 28 5 (3.55 FTE) 1 FY 1999 28 5 (3.55 FTE) 1 FY 1998 28 5 (3.55 FTE) 0 FY 1997 25 5 (3. 55 FTE) 0 FY 1996 25 5 (3.55 FTE) 2 (1.0 FTE) 2 (1040 APP)

78 Personnel

Permanent Staff 1. M. Skippy Reeves (EOD 02/21/93) Refuge Manager (GS 14, PFT) 2. W. Shaw Davis (EOD 04/10/97) Deputy Refuge Manager (GS 13, PFT) 3. Melinda Gautreaux (EOD 05/25/97) Deputy Refuge Manager Trainee (GS 5, PFT) Transferred to Chassahowitzka NWR, Crystal River, FL (07/30/00) 4. Dartha P. Campbell (EOD 12/06/76) Office Assistant (GS 7, PFT) 5. Beverly A. Derouin (EOD 03/05/95) Office Automation Asst. (GS 5, PFT) 6. Judy L. Drury (EOD 04/11/88) Office Automation Clerk (GS 4, PFT) 7. Sara Brown Aicher (EOD 03/10/91) Biologist (GS 11, PFT) 8. Cynthia Thompson (EOD 06/13/94) Wildlife Biologist (GS 9, PFT) 9. James N. Shelton (EOD 07/05/87) Law Enforcement Officer (GS 8, PFT) 10. John Gibson (EOD 10/29/95) Computer Specialist (GS 9, PFT) 11. James A. Burkhart (EOD 06/11/78) Sup. Refuge Ranger (GS 12, PFT) 12. Margaret S. O'Connell (EOD 05/14/95) Refuge Ranger (GS 9, PFT) 13. Grade A. Gooch (EOD 05/29/84) Park Guide (GS 5, PFT) 14. Lori A. Mooney (EOD 01/02/00) Refuge Ranger (GS 4, PFT) 15. Nellie D. Johns (EOD 07/14/77) Laborer (WG 2, PFT) Retired (Effective 11/30/00) 16. Everette Sikes (EOD 03/15/87) Motor Vehicle Operator (WG 7, PFT) 17. Stiner Jones (EOD 09/19/83) Maintenance Worker (WG 6, PFT) 18. Kenneth B. McLaughlin (EOD 02/27/00) Forester/FMO (GS 12, PFT) 19. Frederick E. Wetzel (EOD 05/03/92) Supervisory Forester (GS 11, PFT) 20. Howard McCullough (EOD 01/05/87) Forestry Technician (GS 8, PFT) 21. Reggie Porcine (EOD 07/23/95) Forestry Technician (GS 6, PFT) 22. Richard B. Boatright (EOD 01/05/97) Office Auto. Clerk/Dispatcher (GS 4, PFT) 23. Douglas E.Nuss (EOD 01/16/77) Sup. Engineering Equip. Oper. (WS 10, PFT) 24. Tony R. Gooch (EOD 08/18/80) Automotive Worker (WG 8, PFT) 25. Gregory S. Blanks (EOD 04/02/95) Engineering Equip. Oper. (WG 8, PFT) 26. Rockwell M. Chesser (EOD 06/23/96) Engineering Equip. Oper. (WG 8,PFT) 27. Stacey A. Welch (EOD 07/23/95) Engineering Equip. Oper. (WG 8, PFT) 28. Daniel J. Angelo (EOD 03/15/99) Lead Forestry Technician (GS 5, PPT) Transferred to Big Stone NWR, Odessa, MN (05/06/00) 29. William E. Sikes (EOD 05/24/98) Lead Forestry Technician (GS 5, PPT) 30. Yanu L. Gallimore (EOD 01/02/00) Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT) 31. Richard S. Moore (EOD 07/06/99) Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT) Resigned (Effective 05/06/00) 32. Danny Jack Willis (EOD 07/16/00) Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT) 33. Jonathan B. Morris (EOD 07/30/00) Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT) 34. Vacant Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT)

Temporary Employees 1. Sarah E. Daneman (EOD 12/08/98) Biological Aid (GS 3, NTE) Resigned (Effective 07/28/00)

79 Figurel6. L-R: J. Kasbohm, D. Campbell, S. Davis, M. Gautreaux, S. Reeves, J. Drury

Figure 17. L-R: J. Burkhart, M. O'Connell, E. Sikes, B. Derouin, B. Morris, R. Chesser, S. Jones. 80 Figure 18. L-R: C. Thompson, L. Daneman, W. Hall, S. Aicher

Figure 19. Kneeling (L-R): T. Gooch, W. Sikes, B. Boatright, G. Blanks, Y. Gallimore Standing (L-R): K. McLaughlin, S. Welch, D. Nuss, H. McCullough, R. Porcine, F. Wetzel, D. Willis, S. Cromwell.

81 Figure 20. N. Snowden Figure 21. Where is Jim Shelton?

•i: P

Figure 22. J. Gibson

82 Forester/FMO Ronald A. Phernetton retired January 1, after 30 plus years of government service with the National Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service (Figure 23).

Figure 23. Ron Phernetton's Retirement Roast.

Assistant Forester/FMO Frederick E. Wetzel was temporarily promoted to Forester/FMO until the position could be permanently filled.

Yanu L. Gallimore was hired as a Career-Seasonal Forestry Technician and came on board January 2.

Lori A. Ward was hired as a Park Ranger and came on board January 2.

Shannon Cromwell came on duty as a Student Intern January 16. She was a student attending Georgia Southern University. She graduated May 12 with a BA in Recreation and Resource Management.

On February 27, Kenneth B. McLaughlin was hired as our new Forester/FMO. He came to us from Big Cypress NP, Ochopee, FL.

On March 26, Daniel J. Angelo, Forestry Technician was selected for the Lead Forestry Technician position and on May 6, he transferred to Big Stone NWR, Odessa, MN.

83 Richard S. Moore, Forestry Technician resigned on May 6 from the USFWS and accepted a position in the private sector.

James Wynwright (Wyn) Hall came on board as a Student Intern on May 15. He was attending the University of Georgia and was majoring in Wildlife Biology.

Nellie D. Snowden name changed to Nellie D. Johns on May 25.

Scott J. Anderson, group leader, Jessica L. Gowen, Michael V. Harris, Charlene A. Carter, Marty D. Welch, and Marcus A. Fluker came on board June 4, as YCC students.

On June 18, William E. Sikes, Forestry Technician was selected for the Lead Forestry Technician position.

Melinda Gautreaux received her career ladder promotion to the next higher grade level GS-7, Refuge Manager, on June 21.

Danny Jack Willis was hired as a Career-Seasonal Forestry Technician and came on board July 17.

Sarah E. Daneman, biological aid, resigned her position July 28, to accept a position with the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Assistant Refuge Manager Trainee Melinda Gautreaux transferred to Chassahowitzka NWR, Crystal River, FL, on July 30 (Figure 24).

Jonathan B. (Blake) Morris was hired as a Career-Seasonal Forestry Technician and came on board July 30.

Dorothy S. Porter was hired as a 30-day emergency hire and held the GS-0303-03 Clerk position to assist at the Visitor Center until a permanent Park Ranger could be hired. She came on board August 7. Her appointment was extended another 30 days to September 6.

Lori A. Ward's name changed to Lori A. Mooney on September 30.

Nellie D. Johns retired on November 30 with over 23 years of service.

84 V

Figure 24. Skippy Reeves presents Mindy Gautreaux with a framed picture of Okefenokee.

9.c. TRAINING AND TRAVEL

Summaries of training and other travel are shown below:

Training - Permanent Personnel Dan Angelo S-3 90 - Introduction to Gulf Shores, FL Jan 9 - 14 Will Sikes Wildland Fire Behavior Stacey Welch Calculations Mindy Gautreaux Introduction to NCTC Jan 23 - 28 Supervision Shepherdstown, WV Fred Wetzel S-490 - Advance Fire Boise, ID Jan 30 - Feb 5 Behavior Dartha Campbell Budget Tracking Savannah, GA Feb 6 - 11 System Greg Blanks S-3 30 - Task Force Gautier, MS Feb 13 - 1 Rocky Chesser Strike Team Leader Reggie Porcine

85 Jim Shelton Annual LE Refresher Quincy, FL Feb 27 - Mar 3 Shaw Davis Greg Blanks Annual LE Refresher Quincy, FL Mar 5-11 Stacey Welch Shaw Davis IMPACT NCTC Mar 12 - 17 Shepherdstown, WV Reggie Porcine Forestry for Non- Athens, GA Apr 17 - 19 Foresters Part 1 Mindy Gautreaux Motorboat Operator Annapolis, MD Apr 30 - May 5 Instructor Certification Course Brantley Boatright Incident Certification Boise, ID May 1 - 5 (Red Card) System Training Jim Shelton Smith and NCTC May 30 - June 2 Wesson/Ruger Armorer Shepherdstown, WV School Lori Ward Interpretive Writing and NCTC Junll - 14 the Process of Shepherdstown, WV Interpretation Lori Ward Interpretive Talk and NCTC Jun 22 - 23 Using Guidelines for the Shepherdstown, WV Initial Preparation of Environmental Educators Brantley Boatright Lotus Notes Jacksonville, FL June 28 Everette Sikes Ken McLaughlin Stiner Jones Lori Ward Judy Drury Dartha Campbell Cindy Thompson

86 Skippy Reeves Lotus Notes Jacksonville, FL June 30 Shaw Davis Maggie O'Cornell Bev Derouin Mindy Gautreaux Doug Nuss Nell Snowden Sara Aicher Fred Wetzel Greg Blanks LE Training Titusville, FL Aug 15 - 19 Fred Wetzel Comprehensive NCTC Oct 1 - 6 Ken McLaughlin Conservation Planning Shepherdstown, WV Shannon Cromwell Basic Aviation Atlanta, GA Oct 24 - 26 Danny Jack Willis Dartha Campbell Simplified Acquisitions Falls Church, VA Sept 5 - 9 Training Blake Morris S-217 Helicopter Crew Slidell, LA Dec 4 - 8 Will Sikes Member Course

Travel - Permanent Personnel

Fred Wetzel Assist with prescribe Eufaula NWR Jan 3 - 4 burn plan Eufaula, AL John Gibson Computer Assist St. Mark's NWR Jan 11 - 14 St. Mark's, FL Sara Aicher Southeastern Partners in St. Petersburg, FL Jan 19-22 Cindy Thompson Flight Annual Meeting John Gibson Computer Assist Florida Panther NWR Jan 24 - 28 Naples, FL Fred Wetzel Overhead Team Meeting Pigeon Forge, TN Jan 25 - 27

Jim Burkhart Represent FWS 70th Winter Haven, FL Feb 4 - 6 Anniversary Boy Scout Reunion - Troup 123

87 John Gibson Computer Assist Mississippi Sandhill Feb 7 - 11 Crane NWR Gautier, MS Jim Burkhart Fish-A-Rama Perry, GA Febll-13 John Kasbohm Mindy Gautreaux Woodcock Wingbee Fayetteville, AR Feb 13 - 17 Skippy Reeves Project Leaders Meeting Memphis, TN Feb 13 - 18 Shaw Davis Lori A. Ward Represent FWS at Tampa, FL Feb 20 - 22 Florida State Fair Jim Burkhart Visit Malone Office - VC Atlanta, GA Feb 21 - 23 Maggie O'Connell Contractors Skippy Reeves John Gibson S AR/P AR Meeting Tallahassee, FL Feb 25 John Gibson Florida Panther NWR Naples, FL Mar 1 - 3 Skippy Reeves Round Table Discussion Vero Beach, FL Mar 7-8 Shaw Davis with Dan Ashe and Jim Mindy Gautreaux Kurth John Gibson Computer Assist Merritt Island NWR Mar 13 - 17 Titusville, FL Doug Nuss Pickup New Freightliner Louisville, KY Mar 21-22 John Gibson Computer Assist Chiefland, FL Mar 27 Lower Suwannee NWR John Gibson Computer Assist Savannah Coastal Mar 28 Refuges Savannah, GA Skippy Reeves Scrub Jay Project Merritt Island NWR Apr 3 - 4 Shaw Davis Titusville, FL Mindy Gautreaux Sara Aicher Shannon Cromwell John Kasbohm John Gibson Computer Assist St. Mark's NWR Apr 4 - 7 St. Mark's, FL

88 Jim Burkhart J.N. Ding Darling NWR J.N. Ding Darling Apr 16 - 20 Public Use Review NWR Sanibel, FL Skippy Reeves 2000 Refuge NCTC Apr 18-20 Management Academy Shepherdstown, WV Shaw Davis GA Wildlife Federation Covington, GA Apr 25 - 26 Mindy Gautreaux Meeting John Gibson Computer Assist St. Mark's NWR Apr 27 - 28 St. Mark's, FL Skippy Reeves Seamless Govt Award Atlanta, GA May 1 from USFS Skippy Reeves Jones Center Ichauway, GA May 2 - 3 Ken McLaughlin Doug Nuss Instructor for GA Forsyth, GA May 9 - 10 Forestry Tractor and Plow Safety Course Sara Aicher Comprehensive Regional Office May 9 - 12 Shaw Davis Conservation Planning Atlanta, GA Meeting John Gibson Computer Assist Merritt Island NWR May 10-12 Titusville, FL Mindy Gautreaux Work Detail Chassahowitzka NWR May 12-19 Crystal River, FL Sara Aicher Biological Workshop NCTC May 14 - 19 Shepherdstown, WV Doug Nuss Instructor for GA TAPS Forsyth, GA May 14 - 15 Course John Gibson Computer Assist Tennessee NWR May 15 -19 Paris, TN Shaw Davis LE Assist Savannah Coastal May 17 - 18 Refuges Savannah, GA Shaw Davis Concession Contract Atlanta, GA May 22 - 23 Review

89 John Gibson Computer Assist Eufaula NWR May 23 - 25 Eufaula, AL John Gibson Computer Assist Savannah Coastal May 25 - 26 Refuges Savannah, GA Skippy Reeves GA Coordination Covington, GA May 31 - Jun 1 Shaw Davis Meeting John Gibson Install Lotus Notes J.N. Ding Darling Jun 4 - 7 NWR Sanibel, FL John Gibson Install Lotus Notes Merritt Island NWR Jun 7 - 9 Titusville, FL John Kasbohm RAMSAR Annual Washington, DC Jun 8 - 9 Skippy Reeves Meeting Shaw Davis Wilderness Meeting Washington, DC Jun 12 - 16 Skippy Reeves GA State Meeting Baxley, GA Jun 13 - 14 Grade Gooch Annual Public Use Decatur, GA Jun 18-22 Jim Burkhart Workshop

Jim Burkhart 1st viewing of audio Northern Light Jun 26 - 28 Sara Aicher visual program for Boston, MA Maggie O'Connell visitor center Shaw Davis Skippy Reeves Mindy Gautreaux Instructor for Motorboat Brinkley, AR Jul 10 - 14 Operator Certification Course John Gibson Computer Assist Mississippi Sandhill JullO-15 Crane NWR Ocean Springs, MS Maggie O'Connell Visitor Center exhibit Malone Displays Jul 17- 18 meeting with contractors Atlanta, GA John Gibson Computer Assist Tall Timbers Jul 19 - 20 Tallahassee, FL Ken McLaughlin Steering Committee North Rim Jul 24 - 28 Meeting Grand Canyon, AZ

90 Skippy Reeves Visitor Center exhibit Atlanta, GA Jul 24 - 27 Shaw Davis meeting with contractors Maggie O'Connell and Attorneys office Jim Burkhart meeting Banks Lake NWR Maggie O'Connell Visitor Center audio Boston, MA Jul30-31 visual meeting John Gibson Computer Assist Lake Woodruff NWR Aug 1 - 2 Deland, FL Sara Aicher GIS Workshop Cookeville, TN Aug 1 - 3 Cindy Thompson Skippy Reeves Visitor Exhibit meeting Malone Displays Aug 4-6 Shaw Davis with contractors Lithonia, GA Maggie O'Connell Jim Burkhart Cindy Thompson RCW Translocation Tallahassee, FL Aug 7 - 9 Meeting Skippy Reeves Ecosystem Team St. Petersburg, FL Aug 14-16 Jim Burkhart Meeting Shaw Davis Maggie O'Connell John Kasbohm Sara Aicher Air Quality Workshop NCTC Aug 15-16 Shepherdstown, WV Jim Burkhart Buck-A-Rama Perry, GA Aug 18-20 Shaw Davis Maggie O'Connell Visitor Center Exhibit Malone Displays Aug 20-21 Meeting Atlanta, GA John Gibson Computer Assist Apalachicola NWR Sept 5 - 8 Apalachicola, FL John Gibson Computer Assist and Regional Office Sept 25 - 29 Meeting Atlanta, GA Reggie Porcine Long Leaf Pine Alliance Alexandria, LA Oct 15 - 19 Howard McCullough Conference Ken McLaughlin Fred Wetzel Cindy Thompson

91 John Gibson Computer Assist Key Deer NWR Oct 16-21 Crocodile NWR Key West, FL Skippy Reeves Accept an EAP Award Atlanta, GA Octl9 Shaw Davis for the Refuge Sara Aicher GIS Workshop Cookeville, TN Oct 24 - 26 Everette Sikes GA Rural Water Helen, GA Oct 29-31 Association Technical Conference Rocky Chesser Transport Fire Cache Asheville, NC Novl Cindy Thompson Translocating RCW Way Cross, GA Novl Howard McCullough Reggie Porcine Ken McLaughlin Instructor for Air Welaka, FL Nov 6 - 8 Tactical Group Supervisor Training Greg Blanks LE Assist White River NWR Nov7- 13 DeWitt, AR Skippy Reeves North Florida Ecosystem Valdosta, GA Nov 14 Team Meeting John Gibson Computer Assist Harris Neck NWR and Nov 15-16 Savannah Coastal Refuges Savannah, GA Reggie Porcine Helicopter Manager Gulfport, MS Nov 27 - Dec 1 Workshop Fred Wetzel Prescribed Fire Planning Savannah, GA Nov 27 - Dec 1 Ken McLaughlin and Implementation Ken McLaughlin PFTC Steering Apalachicola, FL Dec 18-21 Committee Meeting

92 Travel - Permanent Employees - Fire and Hurricane Details

Dartha Campbell Eastern Assist Alligator River NWR Mar3-9 Manteo, NC Yanu Gallimore Benton Tower Fire Osceola NF Mar 6- 13 Dan Angelo Lake City, FL Tony Gooch Long Bay Fire Tallahassee, FL May 4 - 14 Will Sikes Fire Standby Osceola NF May 13 - 14 Yanu Gallimore Lake City, FL Brantley Boatright Dispatch Assist Osceola NF May 19 - 21 Lake City, FL Reggie Porcine Eastern Assist Ocala NF, Ocala, FL; Jun 9 - 24 Fonda Div of Forestry, Daytona Beach, FL; and Southeast LA Refuges, Slidell, LA Greg Blanks Western Assist Burgdorf, ID Aug 1 - 13 Will Sikes Western Assist Sequioa NF Aug 4 - 20 Yanu Gallimore Kernville, CA Brantley Boatright Western Assist Interagency Aug 8 - 22 Coordination Center Las Vegas, NV John Gibson Western Assist Cortez, CO Aug 8 - 13 Ken McLaughlin Western Assist Missoula, MT Aug 10-24 Judy Drury Western Assist Southern Area Aug 20 - Sep 4 and Hurrican Debby Coordination Center Atlanta, GA Stacey Welch Western Assist Missoula, MT Aug 27 - Sep 16 Blake Morris Western Assist Boise, ID Aug 27 - Sep 6 Ken McLaughlin Western Assist McCall, ID Aug 31 -Sep 10 Bev Derouin Western Assist Texas FS Sep 6-20 Woodville, TX Yanu Gallimore Western Assist Texas FS Sep 20 - 28 Henderson, TX

93 Will Sikes Western Assist Texas FS Sep 20 - 28 Danny Jack Willis Henderson, TX Brantley Boatright Western Assist Southern Area Sep 20 - Oct 4 Coordination Center Atlanta, GA Will Sikes Eastern Assist Pottscamp, MS Oct 28 - Nov 11 Yanu Gallimore Danny Jack Willis Eastern Assist Morganton, NC Nov 3 - 9

9. d. ENERGY

Fuel and electrical usage decreased somewhat due to the fact we had no major wildland fires this year compared to 1998 and 1999.

Energy usage. CY 2000 CY 1999 CY 1998 Electricity (kwh) 263,868 290,173 201,470 Gasoline (gal) 11,005 19,269 17,787 Diesel (gal) 9,119 11,870 10,957

94 9. e. FUNDING

Comparison of 5-year funding. ACTIVITY 2000* 1999** 1998*** 1997**** 1996# 1260 1211.3 1544.2 1202.0 898.2 741.7 6860 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 9251/9110 785.0 682.6 576.2 681.9 745.1 9263/9252/9120 66.2 54.5 52.0 93.5 55.0 1113 0 10.0 0 0 2821 991.5 1000.0 1.9 0 0 2960 279.4 537.0 600.0 Total 3393.4 3888.3 2492.1 1733.6 1601.8 Includes MMS (184.0), contaminant (11.0), special road projects (279.40), carryover funds from VC (991.5), and helicopter contract (64.0). ** Includes MMS (648.0), contaminant (11.0), VC renovation (1000.0). *** Includes MMS project (241.0), contaminant (32.0), research (92.4), and helicopter contract (62.9). **** Includes MMS projects (75.0), contaminant (65.6), research (56.8), and helicopter contract (148.0). # Includes MMS projects (108.5), helicopter contract (173.6), and move costs (27.5).

9.f. SAFETY

Safety meetings were held every month. Work hazard forms were completed and tailgate sessions were held before the beginning of each work project. First Aid and CPR training were provided to refuge staff and firefighters. Numerous topics including airboat and helicopter/aircraft safety, compliance with mandatory safety requirements ( i.e., seat belts, hard hats and life jackets), the importance of MSDS Sheets, procedures for hazmat spills and office and shop safety were discussed.

The following accidents occurred during the year:

Permanent Employees

Rockwell M. Chesser-Jufy 24, 2000

Employee was returning to the east side of the refuge from the northwest side when particles of sand and/or debris caused an abrasion to the right eye.

95 Howard E. McCullough, Jr. - October 2, 2000

Employee was running as part of the physical fitness program when he stepped on a rock with his left foot causing the ankle to twist. Employee suffered an acute sprain to the left ankle.

Firefighters

Nothing to report.

Interns

Nothing to report.

Volunteers

Nothing to report.

Youth Conservation Corps

Scott J. Anderson - June 20, 2000

Youth Conservation Corp Leader Scott Anderson was clearing an old wood pile when he stepped on a nail protruding upward from a board lying on the ground. The nail punctured the large toe on his left foot. He was taken to the emergency room for a tetanus shot.

Others

James R McClellan - April 17, 2000

James was a visitor to the refuge. He was climbing a tree located in front of the Visitor Center. A limb broke and he fell landing on his back. He fell approximately 4 feet. He was taken to a physician and was doing fine. 9. g. VOLUNTEERS

The volunteer program continues to grow at Okefenokee NWR, despite the fact volunteer coordination is a collateral duty. Shifts in responsibilities allowed Gracie Gooch the time to recruit more volunteers and guide them on various refuge projects. In FYOO, over 200 volunteers contributed 16,842 hours; equivalent to more than 8 full time employees. Volunteers are integral to maintaining the refuge, greeting visitors, assisting biologists and foresters, and performing a myriad of other duties. Volunteers are especially important to the public use program - without volunteers, visitors would have a less pleasant experience on the refuge.

The ability to provide housing is a great advantage at Okefenokee NWR. All travel trailer pads

96 were occupied with volunteers from November through March. In addition, the refuge had two interns who occupied trailer sites over the winter, spring and summer months.

Volunteers accomplished many tasks this year including lawn maintenance projects, painting the exterior of buildings, sign maintenance, trimming canoe and walking trails, wildlife surveys, staffing the refuge visitor center, hosting the Chesser Island Homestead, assisting Refuge Maintenance Workers Everette Sikes and Stiner Jones with the Swamp Walk boardwalk repairs, overnight canoe shelter construction, off site events and much more.

On May 20, the annual volunteer awards ceremony was held. The volunteers enjoyed a barbecue dinner followed by the awards ceremony. Several volunteers received certificates and hour pins. Peter Fisher received his 10,000 hour pin and "Friends of the Refuge" award.

Several annual events are funded by the Okefenokee Wildlife League, Inc. (cooperating association). Members and nonmembers assist with preparations and carried out events including: Okefenokee Festival (1500 visitors); Wings over the Swamp Festival (800 visitors); and National Wildlife Weekend (700 visitors).

Several scout and youth groups helped with canoe trail maintenance, trimmed walking trails, and assisted with special events.

Volunteers staffed exhibits at the Pelican Island Celebration, Sebastian, FL; Fish-a-rama, Atlanta, GA; Buck-a-rama, Perry, GA; Tourism Conference, Jacksonville, FL; and Visitor Contact Stations, Kingsland, GA.

Interns

Interns assisted the biological and forestry program with installation of red-cockaded woodpecker inserts, monitored red-cockaded nest activity, input data, cruised timber, assisted with rebuilding water level recorders, conducted wading bird surveys, and more. They also assisted the public use program with visitor services, developed a refuge ranger booklet, staffed off-refuge events, and much more.

Refuge Ranger Grade Gooch and Intern Shannon Cromwell participated in an intern expo at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.

AmeriCorps

The eleven-member Gold Team of AmeriCorps (Figure 25) worked six weeks on the refuge. The first few days of work primarily consisted of lawn maintenance such as mowing the lawns and edging the sidewalks. The next week the team canoed about eight miles into the swamp to tear down a dilapidated canoe shelter. The group prepared the newly renovated Visitors Center for its grand opening by cleaning and painting the building. Other projects the group assisted with included: painting other refuge buildings (both interior and exterior), pouring concrete for and

97 assembling a building, canoe trail maintenance, and cleaning and repairs at the historic Chesser Island Homestead. The team also assisted with the annual Okefenokee Festival by being tour guides, parking guides, and by cooking, cleaning, and serving food at the Chesser Island Homestead. The Corps members replaced two foot bridges along the Canal Diggers Trail, one 20 feet long and the other 8 feet long.

Figure 25. AmeriCorps Team.

YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS (YCC)

Five YCC crew members and one youth leader (Figure 26) kept trails and roads free of litter; maintained yards and lawns; painted, cleaned, and maintained facilities; washed vehicles; trimmed trails; and performed office work during inclement weather. Duties included work at both the East and West entrances to Okefenokee NWR as well as Banks Lake NWR.

98 Figure 26. YCC crew members and refuge staff. Seated (L-R): Michael Harris, Marcel Fluker, Marty Welch. Standing (L-R): Stiner Jones, Jessica Go wen, Scott Anderson, C. Carter, Grade Gooch, Mindy Gautreaux

9.h. COMPUTERS AND COMMUNICATION

Computers

All employees and volunteers either have their own computer or have easy access to a computer. Computer upgrades continued as needed. A new server is needed, but funds have not been available.

In early 1999, the refuge began investigating the possibility of becoming a SWAN node. As time permitted, more information was obtained from Denver IRM and RO ERM. In February 2000, approval and the "go-ahead" was given to Denver IRM to begin development of the refuge's SWAN node. On May 25, 2000, we received a CISCO router from Denver IR which utilitizes a new 64-K relay line. At that point, the refuge had to wait until Denver IRM was ready for us to go on line. Finally in the latter part of September 2000, we went on line as a SWAN node. Benefits include: (1) faster connection to Lotus Notes, Internet, FFS, FPPS, etc., with fewer disconnects and no waiting for downloads; (2) reduced number of modem telephone lines at the refuge; (3) reduced costs to Service due to decreased calls into the Service modem pool.

99 Radios

As a result of a Federal mandate, the refuge was chosen to be one of the first to "test" the new digital radio system. In 1999, with assistance from IRM Denver, the refuge began purchasing radio equipment, software and installation for the conversion. The conversion from analog to digital was completed in the latter part of 2000. Over $366,000 was spent for this change with only a portion of the funds being allocated for this purpose. The remaining funds had to be pulled in from the refuge's other funding.

100 REVIEW AND APPROVALS

BANKS LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

LAKELAND, GEORGIA

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 2000

Date

-^^^ Refuge Supervisor, Area III 7 Date '

u? Chief of Refuges Date TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION iii

HIGHLIGHTS iv

MONITORING AND STUDIES 1 1 .a. Surveys and Censuses 1 l.b. Studies and Investigation 1

HABITAT RESTORATION 3 2.a. Wetland Restoration: On-Refuge 3 2.b. Upland Restoration: On-Refuge 3 2.c. Wetland Restoration: Off-Refuge 3 2.d. Upland Restoration. Off-Refuge 3

HABITAT MANAGEMENT 4 3.a. Water Level Management 4 3.b. Moist Soil Management 4 3.c. Graze/Mow/Hay 4 3.d. Farming 4 3.e. Forest Management 4 3.f. Fire Management 4 3.g. Pest Plant Control 4

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 5 4.a. Bird Banding 5 4.b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment 5 4.c. Reintroductions 5 4.d. Nest Structures 5 4.e. Pest, Predator and Exotic Animal Control 5

COORDINATION ACTIVITIES 6 5.a. Interagency Coordination 6 5.b. Tribal Coordination 6 5.c. Private Land Activities 6 5.d. Oil and Gas Activities 6 5.e. Cooperative/Friends Organizations 6 RESOURCE PROTECTION 7 6.a. Law Enforcement 7 6.b. Wildfire Preparedness 7 6.c. Permits and Economic Use Management 7 6.d. Contaminant Investigation and Cleanup 7 6.e. Water Rights Management 7 6.f. Cultural Resource Management 8 6.g. Federal Facility Compliance Act 8 6.h. Land Acquisition 8 6.i. Wilderness and Natural Areas 8 6.j. Threats and Conflicts 8

ALASKA ONLY 10

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RECREATION 11 8.a. Provide Visitor Services 11 8.b. Outreach 11

PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION 12 9.a. Comprehensive Conservation Planning 12 9.b. General Administration 12

11 INTRODUCTION

Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge (4,049 acres) is located in Lanier County near Lakeland, Georgia. The refuge contains a variety of habitat types including 1,500 acres of marsh, 1,549 acres of cypress swamp and 1,000 acres of open water. Scattered through these types are hardwood swamp, pine forest and other upland areas. The refuge was established for the protection and conservation of a unique environment as well as migratory and resident wildlife.

On April 16, 1980, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entered a lease agreement with The Nature Conservancy to manage approximately 4,049 acres of the Banks Lake/Grand Bay Wetlands complex, located in Lanier and Lowndes Counties in southeastern Georgia. The original intent of the lease was to eventually establish a National Wildlife Refuge on this area. Changes in the emphasis of the land acquisition program resulted in no funds being appropriated for acquiring this land. This area remained in a state of limbo during 1982 and 1983 with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintaining a caretaker position over Banks Lake. In 1984, funds were added to the FY 1985 budget for the purchase of this area at a land value of $356,000. The refuge was authorized under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and funded through provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1955 with strong local support from the Lakeland community and the congressional delegation. The area became Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge on February 22, 1985.

111 HIGHLIGHTS

In May a U.S. District Judge agreed with a Special Master's findings and ruled against the government in regards to a boundary suit. (Section 6.j.)

IV 1. MONITORING AND STUDIES l.a. SURVEYS AND CENSUSES

Banks Lake is one of the largest freshwater swamp systems in the coastal plains of Georgia. Its unique habitat provides for a diversity of wildlife species that migrate through the area as well as for a number of resident species. Only incidental sightings as staff and volunteers work in the area add to our knowledge of this satellite refuge.

Endangered and Threatened Species

No bald eagle nesting activity was observed in 2000.

Other Wildlife

Waterfowl

Wood ducks are the most common waterfowl species. Nest boxes installed by the State of Georgia in Grand Bay and by the refuge in Old Field have increased nest cavities providing for a larger population. Forty wood duck boxes are currently in place on the refuge portion of Banks Lake. They were not maintained during 2000.

Fisheries

No fisheries survey was done this year. Surveys are conducted every other year. l.b. STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS

Contaminants Assessment of Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge - ES, Brunswick, GA

Contaminants Specialist Gregg Masson, Ecologist John Kasbohm, and Assistant Contaminants Specialist Diane Bateman began one year of quarterly sampling in March 1997, to determine base line contaminant conditions. Fish, sediment and water samples were collected in five areas of the lake to determine relative concentrations of metals, organochlorines, organophosphates, total organic carbon, total petroleum hydrocarbons, nutrients and general water chemistry characteristics. All samples were submitted to the Patuxent Analytical Facility for analysis.

1 Results reveal the existence of organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in both fish species consistent with the use of the lake and the known activities that occur around the lake. Sediments were analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and are consistent with the use of outboard motors on the lake. A final report has not been received. 2. HABITAT RESTORATION

2.a. WETLAND RESTORATION: ON-REFUGE

Nothing to Report.

2.b. UPLAND RESTORATION: ON-REFUGE

Nothing to Report. 2.c. WETLAND RESTORATION: OFF-REFUGE

Nothing to Report. 2.d. UPLAND RESTORATION: OFF-REFUGE

Nothing to Report. 3. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

The refuge, which contains 4,049 acres, is composed of several wetland types. Approximately 1,000 acres are classified as open water, 1,500 acres as marsh and 1,549 acres as cypress swamp. A water control structure constructed in the early 1940's on the north side of the lake is key to managing the area. This structure is scheduled for replacement.

3.a. WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT

Another year of water manipulation to control surface weed mat was missed. The final ruling on a court case involving a boundary line dispute was still in doubt at years end. The Solicitor's Office in Atlanta has requested that no manipulation of water levels be conducted until this issue is resolved.

3.b. MOIST SOIL MANAGEMENT

Nothing to Report.

3.c. GRAZE/MOW/HAY

Nothing to Report.

3.d. FARMING

Nothing to Report.

3.e. FOREST MANAGEMENT

Nothing to Report.

3.f. FIRE MANAGEMENT

Nothing to Report. 3.g. PEST PLANT CONTROL

Nothing to Report.

4 4. FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

4.a. BIRD BANDING

Nothing to Report.

4.b. DISEASE MONITORING AND TREATMENT

Nothing to Report. 4.c. REINTRODUCTIONS

Nothing to Report. 4.d. NEST STRUCTURES

Nothing to Report.

4.e. PEST, PREDATOR AND EXOTIC ANIMAL CONTROL

Nothing to Report. 5 COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

5.a. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

Periodic meetings of the inter-agency Grand Bay-Banks Lake Ecosystem (GBBLE) team continued throughout the year. Their primary focus was on the completion of the feasibility study authored by Dr. Phylis Isley of Georgia Southern University.

5.b. TRIBAL COORDINATION

Nothing to Report.

5.c. PRIVATE LAND ACTIVITIES

Nothing to Report.

5.d. OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES

Nothing to Report.

5.e. COOPERATIVE/FRIENDS ORGANIZATIONS

The Friends of Banks Lake, a local citizens interest group provided input into the draft final report authored by Dr. Phylis Isley. The group continues to contact the refuge periodically as regards to the status of the court case seeking to resolve the boundary line dispute. This group has been and continues to be vocally critical of the Fish and Wildlife Services management of the refuge. RESOURCE PROTECTION

6.a. LAW ENFORCEMENT

Law enforcement efforts were carried out by refuge officers from Okefenokee NWR. Due to the distance and budget constraints, very little law enforcement was done this year. A kiosk with posted refuge regulations is at the boat ramp and informs the refuge visitors about refuge regulations. The refuge boundary is still in dispute and hampers LE efforts along the north shore of the lake. It is hoped when this action is completed the refuge will finally have a boundary. No federal violations were issued by refuge officers; however, twenty-sk state cases were made by state officers. Nine incident reports were written and mainly involved trash dumping and beer parties on the refuge pier. The use of the refuge by late night beer parties is a problem. Early in the year, the refuge had a small arson incident where a person set a small grass fire in seven or eight spots, but luckily they went out before any damage could occur. It is believed the extra law enforcement patrols by the refuge and local Sheriffs office has slowed their use of the refuge at night.

6.b. WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS

Nothing to Report. 6.c. PERMITS AND ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT

Two Special Use Permits (SUP) were issued during the year for fishing tournaments on the refuge. A fee of $50 per permit was collected. Creel census data collected as a stipulation of the permit indicated marginal success for the participants. 6.d. CONTAMINANT INVESTIGATION AND CLEANUP

See l.b. Studies and Investigations.

6.e. WATER RIGHTS MANAGEMENT

Nothing to Report. 6.f. CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Nothing to Report.

6.g. FEDERAL FACILITY COMPLIANCE ACT

Nothing to Report.

6.h. LAND ACQUISITION

Nothing to Report.

6.1. WILDERNESS AND NATURAL AREAS

Nothing to Report.

6.j. THREATS AND CONFLICTS

The property line boundary on the northern edge of the lake has been in dispute with local landowners since 1981. Property deed research suggested that the Fish and Wildlife Service owned the lake to the current water line and that several privately owned homes and docks have been illegally built on the refuge (Figure 1). In mid-1997, formal mediation between the U.S. Attorney and local landowners to resolve the dispute failed. Litigation proceedings began in September 1997. In April 1999, The U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia, appointed a Special Master to review and issue a final ruling regarding the litigation. On May 2, 2000, a U.S. District Judge in Macon agreed with a Special Master's findings and ruled against the government. An appeal was filed. The case is still in litigation. The Department of the Interior attorneys in the Solicitor's Office and the attorneys in the Department of Justice in Washington are reviewing the case. Figure 1. North boundary of Banks Lake NWR is still in dispute at year's end. ALASKA ONLY

10 8 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RECREATION

8.a. PROVIDE VISITOR SERVICES

This is an unstaffed station. Facilities provided include a parking, double-wide boat ramp, and architecturally accessible fishing pier. No visitation figures are kept for the refuge.

8.b. OUTREACH

The Nature Conservancy, at the suggestion of the cooperative Grand Bay-Banks Lake Ecosystem(GBBLE) team, contracted with Dr. Phyllis Isley of Georgia Southern University to conduct a feasibility study of several identified alternatives to determine the best use of the concession building at Banks Lake. Preliminary results of the study were reported at a public meeting in Lakeland on September 7. Public input from citizens and elected officials, plus constructive criticism from the GBBLE planning team were given to Dr. Isley. Her final report has not yet been received.

11 9. PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

9.a. COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLANNING

All refuge management staff obtained Comprehensive Conservation Planning training during the year. It was decided that Biologist Sara Aicher would coordinate the planning effort for Banks Lake, along side Okefenokee NWR's CCP. Banks Lake will be a separate document from Okefenokee's plan. 9.b. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Banks Lake NWR is an unfunded unstaffed refuge administered by the staff at Okefenokee NWR.

The Service is currently evaluating the possibility of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to establish daily presence and to carry out long-term refuge goals and objectives.

12 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 3330 Folkston, GA31537 Voice/HY 912/496 7836 Okefenokee U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1800/344 WILD National Wildlife http://www.fws.gov/~r4eao

August 1999

USFWS Photo —-—^_,. w/ev w/ev I INOdd

Okefenokee Swamp Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to preserve the rare and beautiful Okefenokee This blue goose, Swamp. The refuge includes close to designed by J.N. 396,000 acres, (about 650 square Ding Darling, has miles) almost 90 percent of which become a symbol of have increased protection as a the Refuge System. National Wilderness Area. The swamp, which extends 38 miles north to south and 25 miles east to west, remains one of the most well preserved freshwater areas in America.

Okefenokee is a vast bog inside a huge, saucer-shaped depression that was once part of the ocean floor. The word Okefenokee is a European rendition of the native American words meaning "land of the trembling earth." Peat deposits up to 15 feet thick cover much of the swamp floor. These deposits are so unstable in spots that one can cause trees and surrounding bushes to tremble by stomping the surface.

The slow-moving waters of the Okefenokee are tea-colored due to the tannic acid released from decaying plants, which also makes swamp water about as acidic as cola. The main outlet of the swamp, the ,*,e Nations Suwannee River, begins in the heart Refuge is one of over ^ of the Okefenokee and drains southwest into the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Marys River, which forms the refuges in the National boundary between Georgia and Wildlife Refuge system, a Florida, drains the southeastern network of U.S. lands and portion of the refuge. The swamp is not one continuous waters managed to benefit type of habitat - islands, lakes, cypress forests, scrub-shrub areas, wildlife and administered by and open wet "prairies" form a mosaic of habitats on which wildlife the Department of the depend. Fire and water define the swamp's habitats. Lakes and prairies Interior's U.S. Fish and are created after long droughts when fire burns out vegetation and top Wildlife Service. layers of peat. Three Facets of Okefenokee There are three major entrances to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, each with its own facilities and special character. From the open, wet "prairies" of the east side to the forested cypress swamps on the west, Okefenokee is a mosaic of habitats, plants, and wildlife. Entrance fees are required at each entrance, inquire at the phone numbers below for more specific formation and regulations. Discover Okefenokee — one of your national wildlife refuges.

East Entrance Main U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entrance, located 11 miles southwest of Folkston, Georgia off Highway 121/23. Stop in the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center to plan your day. Walking trails, boardwalk and tower, boating trails, guided boat tours, motorboat and canoe rentals, and restored homestead. Call 912/496 7836 for visitor information, 912/496 7156 for concession information.

West Entrance Stephen C. Foster State Park, located 17 miles east of Fargo, GA off Highway Spur 177. Boardwalk, boating trails, fishing, guided boat tours, motorboat and canoe rentals, camping, cabins, interpretive programs, and museum. Call 912/637 5274 for information, 1/800 864 7275 for cabin reservations.

North Entrance Okefenokee Swamp Park, located eight miles south of Waycross, GA off U.S. 1. Interpretive displays, boardwalk and tower, boat tours, animal habitats, and lectures. 912/283 0583 Okefenokee Swamp Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to preserve the rare and beautiful Okefenokee This blue goose, Swamp. The refuge includes close to designed by J. N. 396,000 acres, (about 650 square Ding Darling, has miles) almost 90 percent of which become a symbol of have increased protection as a the Refuge System. National Wilderness Area. The swamp, which extends 38 miles north to south and 25 miles east to west, remains one of the most well preserved freshwater areas in America.

Okefenokee is a vast bog inside a huge, saucer-shaped depression that was once part of the ocean floor. The word Okefenokee is a European rendition of the native American words meaning "land of the trembling earth." Peat deposits up to 15 feet thick cover much of the swamp floor. These deposits are so unstable in spots that one can cause trees and surrounding bushes to tremble by stomping the surface.

The slow-moving waters of the Okefenokee are tea-colored due to the tannic acid released from decaying plants, which also makes swamp water about as acidic as cola. OkefeK The main outlet of the swamp, the Suwannee River, begins in the heart Refuge is one of over 5u of the Okefenokee and drains southwest into the Gulf of Mexico. refuges in the National The St. Marys River, which forms the boundary between Georgia and Wildlife Refuge system, a Florida, drains the southeastern network of U.S. lands and portion of the refuge. The swamp is not one continuous waters managed to benefit type of habitat - islands, lakes, cypress forests, scrub-shrub areas, wildlife and administered by and open wet "prairies" form a mosaic of habitats on which wildlife the Department of the depend. Fire and water define the swamp's habitats. Lakes and prairies Interior's U.S. Fish and are created after long droughts when fire burns out vegetation and top Wildlife Service. layers of peat.

B4/B5| A3/A4 B4/B5 June Chorus, green tree, pig, carpenter, and over a dozen other species of frogs are heard during the evenings. White water lilies and sweet-bay flowers bloom. Good bream fishing.

July Young herons, egrets, and ibis, now fully fledged, leave the rookeries. Wood storks are observed feeding in the prairies. Red-headed woodpeckers and pine warblers are seen in pine forest uplands. Deer are best viewed in the early morning; the bucks are showing their new sets of velvet-covered antlers.

August Small flocks of blue-winged teal arrive. Alligator nests hatch and the young alligators may be heard "clucking" to their mother. Nighthawks and chuck-will's widows frequent the evening sky, scooping insects from the air.

September Fall migration begins as many different warblers move through the area. Fall fishing improves as daytime temperatures lower.

October Black bears are active, feeding on acorns, nuts, and berries. Marsh hawks are seen gliding low over the prairies.

November Robins and migrating greater sandhill cranes arrive with the cool weather. Watch for the occasional bald eagle, migrating through the swamp to Florida wintering sites. With cool weather comes the traditional fall color change. Cypress needles turn a golden brown and sweetgum leaves glow a reddish hue before tumbling to the ground.

December Otters are seen swimming in the lakes and boat trails as alligators become less active and cease feeding. Many white ibis, egrets, and herons feed in shallow lakes and prairies. History Tribes of the Depford Culture, the Swift Creek Culture, and the Weeden Island Culture lived in the Okefenokee Swamp as early as 2500 B.C. The last tribe to seek sanctuary in the swamp, the Seminoles, conducted raids on settlers in surrounding areas. An armed militia led by General Charles R. Floyd drove the Seminoles into Florida by 1850.

The Suwannee Canal Company purchased most of the Okefenokee Swamp from the and monitor, manage, and improve State of Georgia wildlife populations and habitat. in 1891. Their A special emphasis is placed on intent was to endangered species management, drain the land for especially red-cockaded woodpeckers, logging and to indigo snakes, and other inhabitants grow crops. of the longleaf pine community. Captain Henry Jackson and his crews spent 3 years digging the Visitor Services Suwannee Canal 11.5 miles into the National Wildlife swamp. Economic recessions led to Refuges are the company's bankruptcy, and the unique in the land was sold to the Hebard Cypress nation because Company in 1899. A railroad was these areas are built into the west edge of the swamp set aside to and logging operations began. Over protect wildlife 431 million board feet of timber, and their habitat. mainly cypress, were removed from You are welcome the Okefenokee by 1927, when to visit logging ceased. Okefenokee National Wildlife Wildlife Management Refuge to Refuge staff and volunteers work observe and to preserve the natural qualities of photograph the swamp, provide habitat for a wildlife, take a variety of wildlife, and provide guided tour, fish, recreational opportunities for join in special visitors. They research everything events and from bacteria to black bears; conduct programs, and wildlife censuses, vegetative learn more about transects, and water level surveys; the plants and and administer hunts. They also animals that conduct prescribed burns in upland make up this areas; thin forests, create wildlife diverse openings, and plant longleaf pines; ecosystem.

FRONT B4/B5 A3/A4 North Entrance (Okefenokee

I Overnight stops Maul Hammock - - Red trail* Lake,* - ***«*« * » \_ Christmas Lake\• OhioLakeW"* \d — — Green trail*

— — Brown trail* Pond Lake9 Blue trail* Doubl — — Orange trail* Dinner Pond Lake*N \» 1 Purple trail* Trout Lake~ Day use trail Day use shelter "Overnight trails, permit required fIderLake* Big Water Lake DuckLakem^ Flag Lak& KingfisherN MINNIE'S ISLAND 3 Big Water Shelter Landing Entrance FLOYDS PRAIRIE CRAVENS TERRITORY urden Lake HAMMOCKI PRAIRIE To Folkston^ WDS 13 miles 'ISLAND HalfiMoonLake PINE West Entrance Lake i ISLAND (Stephen Foster State Park) f'cHASE I PRAIRIE Suwannee River Sill Canal Run ^S "*, ShelteQholtar *"» Round Top L Q'vShelter To Folkston 12 miles BILLY'S ISLAND To Hpmerville East Entrance 28 miles (Suwannee MIZELL Canal PRAIRIE Recreation HONEY ISLAND BUGABOO **> Area) Suwannee] ISLAND Coffee Bay River Shelter (441 rj Fargo I t ! GRAND CHESSER PRAIRIE " ISLAND Gannet •<•/- swamp Lake* Buzzards /•-** edge Lake Roost . BLACKSACK ISLAND N GEORGIA Miles

0 Kilo 4 FLORIDA , ~ _ f'J Wildlife Notes January Waterfowl: mallards, ring necked ducks, wood ducks, coots, green- winged teal, and hooded mergansers are seen in the prairies along with large numbers of greater sandhill cranes.

February Ospreys begin nesting. Watch for aerial courtship displays of red-tailed hawks. Brown-headed nuthatches becoming active. Wild turkey seek mates during the latter part of the month.

March Overwintering ducks, tree swallows, robins, phoebes, cedar waxwings, and greater sandhill cranes depart for northern nesting areas. Purple martins, parula warblers, and eastern kingbirds arrive. Watch for the courtship dances of resident Florida sandhill cranes. Wildflowers begin to bloom as the prairies fill with golden club and bladderworts. Alligators are seen sunning on the banks of the water trails.

Wading bird rookeries are active. Prothonotary warblers are common along the cypress-lined waterways. Sandhill crane chicks are hatching and ospreys are seen feeding their young in their high, bulky nests. Alligators begin territorial warnings as mating begins. Many orchids and the unusual insect-eating pitcher plants are blooming.

Endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers are active around their nesting colonies. Florida soft-shell turtles are laying eggs, and raccoons are just as rapidly digging up and eating the eggs. Turkey poults are seen walking in lose procession behind their hen. Warmouth perch fishing is improving. Newborn fawns appear.

FRONT B4/B5 z\4 A3/A4 A canoe trip through the Leave No Trace Skills and Ethics Okefenokee Swamp is an experience There are specific techniques you that you will remember for a should know for minimizing your lifetime. Alligators glide through impact on the wilderness and on tea-stained water. Herons and fellow users. For more information, egrets wade through tall grasses check at the Visitor Center or visit our and water lilies. Bears meander website at http:/okefenokee.fws.gov through hammocks and islands. Okefenokee National Wildlife • Plan ahead and prepare. Make Refuge is a haven for these and sure your expectations and skill other animals - almost 400,000 acres match your destination. For of wet prairies, cypress forests, and example, at Okefenokee NWR pine uplands. Most of the refuge is a you are required to stay on trails nationally designated Wilderness and at designated campsites. If Area, which offers a solitary and you want an experience that primitive experience. Only seven allows you to roam unchecked overnight shelters are available in across the countryside, find a the swamp's interior. more appropriate location. Also, be prepared for weather Please read through this brochure extremes and emergencies. We carefully and be sure you can and will make every attempt understand all of the procedures and to rescue you in an emergency, regulations. Remember: it is your but rescues impact the responsibility to be prepared for a wilderness qualities of an area. wilderness experience which may include temperature extremes, • Concentrate your impact. Stay precipitation, high winds, high on designated trails and humidity, and other factors. campsites, leaving the remainder of the Okefenokee to the birds, What is Wilderness? alligators, bears, and other The open watery "prairies," cypress- creatures. Traveling in small lined lakes, and scrub-shrub thickets groups allows you more peace of the Okefenokee are within the and solitude in the wilderness. third largest National Wilderness Area in the Eastern United States. • Pack it in, pack it out. Do not A wilderness is a place "where the leave anything behind to show earth and its community of life are you have passed through an area. untrammeled (unfettered) by man, where man himself is a visitor who • Leave what you find. Only does not remain." Wilderness to the remove litter from other people of campers - leave trees, plants, A visit to a National Wilderness America is a artifacts, and animals as you Area is a special opportunity and spiritual found them. different from camping in a park or necessity, an campground. Do not expect antidote to the • Usefir e responsibly. amenities. Do expect an unparalleled high pressure of Campstoves are required for opportunity for solitude, wildlife modern life, a overnight platforms. You may observation, and serenity. When you means of have a fire at Cravens visit a wilderness area, you have regaining Hammock, Floyds Island, and certain responsibilities for yourself, serenity and Canal Run. Use only downed your group and for the resource. equilibrium. and dead wood and make sure When you leave, there should be no Sigurd Olson. your fire is out and cold when evidence that you were ever here. you leave. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 3330 Folkston, Georgia 31537 Okefenokee 912/496-7836 http://southeast.fws.gov http://0kefenokee.fws.gov Natixmal Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Wilderness Canoe Guide 1800/344 WILD

FISH & W11JM-IFE SKU 5 Day Trips Green Trail Trail 11 - Enter: Kingfisher Kingfisher Landing to Bluff Lake is First Night: Maul Hammock eight miles along a channel Second Night: Big Water originally cut for peat mining and Third Night: Floyds Island across open prairies full of pitcher Fourth Night: Bluff Lake plants. The next nine miles to Floyds Exit: Kingfisher Island takes you from Durdin Prairie to Territory and Chase Trail 12 - Enter: Kingfisher Prairies. Between are narrow First Night: Maul Hammock closed-sided channels that may be Second Night: Big Water difficult paddling during low water Third Night: Floyds Island levels. The overnight shelter on Fourth Night: Canal Run Floyds Island is a hunting cabin Exit: Suwannee Canal or Stephen built in the 1920s for the Hebard Foster family, who at the time owned most of the swamp. There is a portage What are the trails like? across the island. Floyds Island to Orange Trial Stephen Foster State Park is eight Follows the historic Suwannee miles of prairie and cypress forests Canal, which was dug in the late through Billys Lake to the state 1800s in an attempt to drain'the park. swamp. Canal Run Shelter is ten miles from the east entrance, on the Brown Trail berm of the canal. Past Canal Run To reach Cravens Hammock, paddle Shelter are five miles of narrow, five miles through Billys Lake, the winding trail that leads to Billys Narrows, and to the Suwannee River Island. Follow Billys Lake two miles Sill. Follow the trail through five further to Stephen Foster State more miles of mixed cypress, bay, Park. Low water levels between and gum swamp to an oak-covered Canal Run and Billys Island often hammock. Trail condition varies with mean navigating stumps and peat water levels - there can be a strong blowups, and encroaching side current through the Narrows, which vegetation. may make the return trip difficult.

Red Trail Purple Trail Kingfisher Landing to Maul The Purple Trail winds through Hammock is a long day of paddling Chase Prairie, leading to Round Top twelve miles through scrub-shrub, Shelter, which boasts a 360 degree prairie, and small lakes. The eleven view of the prairie. Windy days can miles between Maul Hammock and make paddling difficult, but the Big Water go through prairie, a shelter is worth the trip, especially narrow closed channel and into a when the moon is full. wider river channel surrounded by cypress. Both days can be long and Blue Trail difficult. Big Water Overnight The Blue Trail connects the Orange Shelter is at the north end of Floyds Trail with the Green Trail and skirts Prairie. The last nine miles go the edge of Chase Prairie through thought prairie, cypress forest, and deeper holes, which are good fishing Billys Lake. areas. It is used mainly as a route from the Orange Trail to Floyds Island. How can I reserve a permit? • When we receive payment, we Camping overnight in the will mail the trail permit to you. Okefenokee Swamp is allowed only You must read the permit, sign with a permit. You can reserve a both copies, keep the white copy permit only within two months to the and immediately mail the yellow date your trip begins. (Example: if copy to the address below: you want to begin a trip on March 2, you may only call on or after Okefenokee National Wildlife January 2) Refuge, Route 2 Box 3330 Folkston GA, 31537 You can only reserve a permit by phone. You must call 912/496 3331 We must have the yellow copy before between 7 am and 10 am, Monday your trip begins. through Friday (excluding Federal holidays). After 10 am you may request information, but you may not make a reservation. What are the Rules and Regulations? The following rules and regulations are in place to provide for your Note: safety and enjoyment and the safety Your group will be limited to 20 and enjoyment of other groups on people. During March and April you the trail system. Your permit will will only be issued a permit for a contain these exact rules and maximum of two nights. The person regulations. You are required to sign who calls will be the designated the permit and state that you group leader and is responsible for understand and will abide by these the group. regulations.

After your permit reservation is 1. The canoe permit must be taken: carried by the group leader, who is responsible for the party • You must send the knowing and following all nonrefundable fee of $10.00 per regulations. person per night (Example: 4 people x 2 nights x $10.00 = 2. You must complete any $80.00). additions or changes to your permit at least one week prior to • You must send the fee so that it departure. is in our office within 16 calendar days of making your canoe 3. Your canoe permit fees include reservations. (Example: If you required entrance fees for the make a reservation on days of the trip. November 14th, we must have the fee in our office by November 30th.) 4. You may not lead guided trips without a Special Use Permit. • Your cashier's, certified or personal check or money order 5. You must launch from each must be made payable to: U.S. site before 10:00 am to ensure Fish and Wildlife Service. that you reach the next overnight stop before dark.

FRONT B4/B5 B4/B5 A3/A4 A3/A4 take it as an omen - they do it all the What are the designated canoe trips? time!). Many species of hawks and some waterfowl also reside in the 2 Day Trips swamp during the year. If you are a Trail 1 - Enter: Kingfisher birder and are interested in helping First Night: Bluff Lake us collect data, request a bird survey Exit: Kingfisher form when you make your reservation. Trail 2 - Enter: Suwannee Canal or Stephen Foster First Night: Canal Run How should I protect myself from Exit: Suwannee Canal or Stephen Foster animals? There is no need to fear snakes or Trail 3 - Enter: Stephen Foster alligators as long as you take normal First Night: Cravens Hammock precautions and do not disturb or Exit: Stephen Foster feed animals. Food attracts animals, so use good camp hygiene: pick up 3 Day Trips crumbs, secure food within raccoon- Trail 4 - Enter: Kingfisher proof containers and/or hang away First Night: Maul Hammock from an animal's reach; do not wash Second Night: Big Water dishes in the water. If animals Exit: Stephen Foster become too aggressive, they may have to be relocated. Help keep Trail 5 - Enter: Kingfisher them in their home territory by First Night: Bluff Lake following these guidelines. Second Night: Floyds Island Exit: Stephen Foster In general, mosquitoes are no problem except after dark; they are Trail 6 - Enter: Kingfisher rarely encountered during the First Night: Bluff Lake daytime. Deerflies, although a biting Second Night: Round Top menace at times during the summer, Exit: Suwannee Canal are not as numerous deep in the swamp. During May and June, Trail 7 - Enter: Suwannee Canal biting yellow flies can make a trip First Night: Round Top into the swamp unpleasant. Second Night: Floyds Island Exit: Suwannee Canal or Stephen Foster What if I'm a guide or outfitter? If you charge any fees for trips into Trail 8 - Enter: Stephen Foster the Okefenokee, you are required to First Night: Floyds Island have a permit. We issue permits Second Night: Canal Run photos: USFWS once Exit: Stephen Foster annually, in fall. You must 4 Day Trips apply ahead Trail 9 - Enter: Kingfisher of time. For First Night: Bluff Lake more Second Night: Floyds Island information, Third Night: Canal Run call 912/496 Exit: Suwannee Canal or Stephen Foster 3331. Trial 10 - Enter: Kingfisher First Night: Bluff Lake Second Night: Floyds Island Third Night: Round Top Exit: Suwannee Canal 16. You must remain at the 6. You and your party must designated overnight area register when you enter and between sunset and sunrise for leave the swamp and at each overnight stop. only one night.

7. You are required to bring a 17. You may have open fires only at portable toilet with disposable Canal Run, Floyds Island, and bags for waste disposal and a Cravens Hammock. campstove and fuel for cooking. Note: 8. You must follow exactly the You must display your parking route on your permit. You must placard in the windshield of any not stray from assigned trail. vehicle you leave parked overnight Only one party per stop is at any refuge entrance. Your permit number must be visible through the allowed. windshield. 9. Your licenses, permits, equipment and effects including What do I need to know to be vehicles and canoes, are subject prepared? to inspection by county, state A canoe trip through Okefenokee and federal officers. National Wildlife Refuge is a wilderness experience. You may or may not encounter other parties on 10. You must obey all state, federal your trip. and county laws regarding alcohol consumption. County regulations prohibit public It is your responsibility to be intoxication. prepared for a trip which may include temperature extremes, precipitation, high winds, high 11. You may not bring pets, swim, humidity and other factors. While or wade in the swamp, due to you may choose to bring danger from alligators. communication equipment (cell phones) on a trip, this is not a 12. You may not bring a motor of substitute for proper preparation. any kind on canoe trips. Cell phone coverage may be inconsistent, batteries die, phones 13. Keep trails free from litter. get dropped. Please pack out any litter you generate and any that you find. In the event of a true emergency, we will make every effort to reach your 14. You may not bring firearms or party. Keep in mind that there are other weapons onto the refuge. few places helicopters can land in No hunting. the Okefenokee and local trauma units cannot land after dark. All 15. All creatures, plants, and rescues will be accomplished by boat artifacts in the swamp are and will likely take several hours protected. Do not feed or harass from the time we are notified. We any animals or pick plants. will be accompanied by or transport victims directly to EMS personnel.

FRONT B4/B5 B4/B5 A3/A4 A3/A4 Sleeping bag or blanket nearby shrub island without trees. Get away from the boat and stay low Map of canoe trails under the canopy. Insect repellent What about other boats on the trails? Only one canoe party is allowed on Duct tape for emergency repairs each trail at one time, although you may cross paths with other parties Spare paddle (tied to canoe/kayak) enroute to your stop. Of the 120 miles of boat trails in the swamp, 70 Waterproof bags are also open to day-use motorboats Paddling gloves under 10 horsepower. The motorboats will disturb you less if Free standing tent you pull to the side and allow them to pass. Bailer We occasionally use airboats to Sun protection (SPF 15+, wide brim maintain public facilities and hat, long sleeve shirt and pants) conduct wildlife and water level surveys. We want to disturb you as Drinking water (2-6 quarts per little as possible and you can help. person each day, depending on As an airboat approaches, make weather). We do not recommend sure we see you, then move to the that you drink swamp water. side of the trail and stop so we can Because of suspended organic pass safely. We will idle by and will matter, filtering is difficult. not accelerate until we have sufficient safe distance behind us. What kind of weather should I expect? Airboats do not have any brakes and Summer days are hot and humid they cannot back up. Do not look in with warm nights. Winter days the direction of the airboat when it range from the teens to 80 degrees, is accelerating as strong wind but mostly in the 50s and 60s. currents may blow small branches Nighttime temperatures can be near and leaves back. or below freezing and wind chills have reached -22 degrees. Spring What animals might I see on my trip? and fall are unpredictable - be Wildlife abound in the Okefenokee prepared for any weather extreme. year round. Black bear move We recommend you check local throughout the swamp seeking food forecasts before leaving. Be aware on the islands. Otter are commonly that tropical storms in the Gulf of seen during cold weather, when Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean will alligators are relatively inactive. often affect weather in the swamp. Alligators are active in the summer and are observed sunning on banks The rainy season is normally from mostly during spring and fall. June through September. Many summer afternoons are concluded Open prairies are good places to with localized thunderstorms. view wading birds such as egrets, Lightning is probably the most herons, white ibis, wood storks, and dangerous feature of an Okefenokee sandhill cranes, depending on the experience. If you are in an exposed season. Warbler viewing is good in area, seek shelter immediately in a the scrub-shrub areas. Turkey vultures often circle overhead (don't In cases of wildfires, hurricanes or get out of your canoe and push other events, we will determine across peat blowups or shallow whether to evacuate all or some water. Water levels in the canoe trails. In some cases, you may Okefenokee Swamp sometimes simply be rerouted. It is imperative become too low to paddle on certain that you keep on the trail specified trails; when this occurs we will make on your permit in case of serious every attempt to contact you before events. We use prescribed fire as a your trip. management tool - do not be alarmed if you see smoke. You will You must plan ahead if you choose a be contacted if your group is in any trail that does not return to the same danger from fire. landing. Highway distance between landings: Before your trip: I • Check weather conditions, • Suwannee Canal Recreation especially during hurricane Area - Kingfisher: 20 miles. season and winter months. • Suwannee Canal Recreation • Know the limitations of your Area - Stephen Foster State group members. Discuss what Park: 85 miles. you may do in an emergency. • Stephen Foster State Park - • Identify strong paddlers who Kingfisher Landing: 95 miles. can go for help. What must I bring? What should I • Know first aid for hypothermia, bring? heat exhaustion, and other You must carry the following items, common ailments. Pack first aid for your safety: supplies. Coast Guard approved flotation During your trip: device for each person (children 10 • Use common sense. years and younger must wear at all • Stay on your designated trail. times) • In case of emergency - stay calm. • Know whom to call for help. Portable toilet with disposable bags Compass and map How should I plan my trip? Flashlight You are allowed to camp only at the Cookstove and fuel seven designated stops within the swamp; therefore, only seven We recommend you carry the following groups may be in the swamp on a items: given night. Consider the skill level Extra flashlights and batteries of individuals in your party before ! choosing a trail! The swamp terrain Trash bags is flat; there is no fast water and very little dry land. Your paddle will Rope for pulling canoe be used every inch of the way as you wind through cypress forests or cross open "prairies" exposed to the First-aid kit sun and wind. Paddling can be slow- going and strenuous on shallow and/ Food (plus enough for one extra day) or narrow trails. You may have to Foul weather gear

FRONT

A3/A4 Okefenokee Okefenokee National Wildlife Okefenokee NWR was National Refuge is not one continuous type Wildlife of habitat. Islands, lakes, cypress Refuge forests, scrub-shrub areas, and open established in 193 7 to wet "prairies" form a mosaic of habitats on which wildlife depend. preserve the rare and These habitats support an abundance of wildlife, including beautiful Okefenokee threatened and endangered species. From an historic perspective, the Swamp. Today it is one This blue goose, Okefenokee area is rich and diverse. designed by J. N. The area saw Native American "Ding" Darling, encampments, Civil War action, of the oldest refuges in has become the Suwannee Canal construction and symbol of the extensive logging that removed over the National Wildlife National 431 million board feet of timber from Wildlife Refuge the Okefenokee. Today, over 400,000 System. people visit us annually to birdwatch, Refuge System. The hike, photograph wildlife, fish, or pursue other outdoor recreational Refuge includes 396,000 related activities. To learn more about this fascinating place visit our web page at http://okefenokee.fws.gov acres, almost 90 percent and discover the real beauty of the Okefenokee National Wildlife of which have increased Refuge. protection as a National Who are Refuge Volunteers? Our volunteers are people of various ages, walks of life and educational Wilderness Area. The backgrounds. Their ages range from 18 to over 80, swamp, which extends and while there is no 38 miles north to south age limit, volunteers I under 18 and 25 miles east to years must have written west, remains one of the parental approval. Though well preserved backgrounds freshwater areas in differ, all Refuge Volunteers volunteers along swamp share a America. boardwalk. common interest: love of nature and a desire to work with our fragile natural resources. This interest, combined with free time to contribute to the Refuge, is the basic qualification for the Okefenokee cover photo: USFWS Volunteer Program. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 3330 Folkston, Georgia 31537 Okefenokee 912/496-7836 http://southeast.fws.gov http://0kefenokee.fws.gov National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Volunteer Guide 1800/344 WILD

August 2000

mmm FRONT B4/B5 B4/B5 I A3/A4 A3/A4 If you would like to receive an application for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Program, call or write for information: Seining the canal. Volunteer Coordinator Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 3330 Folkston, GA 31537 912/496 7366 ext 224

I would like to receive an application for the Okefenokee NWR Volunteer Program

Name

Address

City

State/Zip

Phone Refuge volunteer octn ax host at the restored swamp homestead. Okefenokee Wildlife League I would like to receive information on membership for the Okefenokee Wildlife League Association.

Yes

No

Volunteers demonstrating Bahlin Stick Washing. Volunteer Duties Individuals & Groups Welcome! Volunteers perform a wide variety of Volunteers play a critical role in the tasks. They: day-to-day activities of the Refuge. They help support many of the • conductfis han d wildlife activities that we offer to the public. population surveys Volunteers perform crucial resource management work such as construct • restore habitats red-cockaded woodpecker inserts, plant longleaf pine seedlings, survey ~ ; wildlife, and monitor nesting sites; Refuge Volunteer • provide information and assisting with interpretation to the public staff the Visitor Center; lead bird Fishing Derby. walks and tours; assist with • lead wildlife tours, hikes, and education programs; and assist education programs maintenance staff. Without their help, we could not keep facilities and • provide assistance to clerical and services available to the public. administrative staff Volunteer work groups are equally important to us. Each year groups of • maintain trails, grounds and volunteers perform hundreds of facilities hours of community service at the refuge. They restore habitats, • assist refuge staff with special monitor wildlife, and maintain canoe events and projects. trails. Volunteer groups enjoy working in a beautiful outdoor What Training is Required? setting, while Volunteers need no special skills performing other than a genuine desire to learn Trained Volunteer meaningful leading historical and enthusiasm for the resource. work that walk. Volunteers will be trained for the will benefit duties they will perform. Generally, us and the training is centered around the environment. individual volunteer's schedule. The Refuge Periodic training on resource issues benefits by is scheduled throughout the year accomplishing and presented by key staff and other critical professionals to enhance volunteer resource resource knowledge and skills. management projects. Three Programs in One! Refuge intern The Okefenokee Volunteer Program cruising timber. Internship Program is really three programs in one. We Okefenokee National Wildlife offer volunteer experiences for both Refuge offers full-time introductory individuals and groups; internships internships. The introduction to U.S. for students seeking a more formal Fish & Wildlife Operations experience with the U.S. Fish and Internship provides interns with the Wildlife Service; and resident opportunity to work side-by-side volunteer opportunities for people with Service professionals, with their own trailer or RV performing a variety of operations such as resource management, visitor services, environmental education, and maintenance.

FRONT B4/B5 A3/A4 A3/A4 • The rewards are many. The feeling Okefenokee of satisfaction for rendering a Wildlife valuable service, opportunity to League (OWL) work outdoors, and the This opportunity to work with the U.S. nonprofit 'Demonstrating Fish and Wildlife Service give association Palmetto brooms. volunteers an enormous sense of was pride. In addition, annual incorporated recognition events celebrate the in 1989 in volunteers' involvement and order to work reward them for their outstanding with the contributions. Okefenokee National What's My Commitment? Wildlife The amount of time that you wish to Refuge and volunteer is up to you. Individual and/ other or group volunteers may work full- interested time, a few hours per week or month, parties to or even during a particular season. help promote a better Internships and RV volunteer understanding positions require a minimum hourly and work week. appreciation Boy Scouts cleaning of the wood duck boxes. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding lands.

Finances generated through membership fees and the sale of books, maps, and other educational items through the Refuge bookstore fund league projects. League activities include exhibit construction, audio/visual equipment, volunteer support, educational programs, and other public use projects.

Members may also wish to become volunteers in order to help with Refuge activities. League members Volunteer group are entitled to a discount on items redecking How Can I Get Involved? purchased through the bookstore. boardwalk. Applications are accepted year- The League's annual meeting is held round; however, RV volunteer each Spring and all members are candidates are encouraged to apply encouraged to attend. in spring for the following fall-winter season.

Volunteers are welcome regardless of race, religion, age, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, or disability. U.S. citizenship is not required. Trained Volunteer seines Canal for fish identification. Pull-time interns work 40 hours a Volunteers must supply their own week. The internships range from trailer and/or RV, work a schedule of twelve to sixteen weeks, depending on four, eight-hour days for a minimum of the individual's commitment. Small 32 hours per week per person. In but comfortable trailers and a stipend exchange, we will furnish a full hookup of $50/week are available. trailer pad, laundry and trash facilities. Space is limited, so Internship Qualifications interested persons are encouraged to • Must be willing to work as a team apply early.

• Good written and verbal Refuge Volunteer. Why the Okefenokee Volunteer Program Trained intern and communication skills Works Volunteer preparing The dedication and enthusiasm of the for seining volunteers at Okefenokee NWR has demonstration. • Must be willing to engage in some strenuous activities captured the attention of others, who are equally interested in helping the • Public speaking skills outdoors. The following are factors we believe may be most responsible for • Willingness to do some routine the success of the Okefenokee administrative tasks (data entry, Volunteer Program: etc.) • Education and training are • Basic computer skills ongoing processes. Volunteers can expand their duties and Resident Volunteer Program responsibilities at any time, while We offer extended resident volunteer periodic training provides opportunities to those seeking a continuing opportunities to learn. unique experience in one of the most diverse • The Refuge staff accepts ecosystems in volunteers as part of the "family." the country. Staff make the effort to get to know the volunteers and include We need them in their activities. resident volunteers • The range of volunteer year around opportunities is endless. to assist with Opportunities in interpretation, resource natural resource management, management, forestry and maintenance abound. visitor } Volunteer duties in these areas are services, and usually quite interesting. maintenance projects. : • The wide range of backgrounds, Resident interests, and talents represented volunteers by the Okefenokee Volunteer staff should plan to is dynamic. Volunteers learn a commit to a great deal from one another. The specified camaraderie that exists between period of the volunteers is one of the - time, with a program's biggest strengths. minimum of two months. Volunteer building water monitoring station.

FRONT B4/B5 B4/B5 A3/A4 A3/A4 The Swamp Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is Swamp Island Drive is a Island Drive one of 500 refuges operated by the U.S. Trail Guide Fish and Wildlife Service. It was 9-mile driving, biking, established in 1937 to protect the native and walking loop. This wildlife of this unique ecosystem. 1—Canal Digger's Trail guide corresponds to The 1/2 mile Canal Digger's Trail winds around the historic Suwannee Canal, which was built in 1891 in an numbered markers. attempt to drain the swamp. This unique trail takes you high on foot Please keep the following bridges, among upland pine forests, and low along the Suwannee Canal's in mind as you drive this flowing waters. An interpretive guide to this trail is available at the trailhead trail: and the Visitor Center.

2—Wildlife Openings The speed limit is 15 The small fields on either side of the drive are wildlife openings, which are mowed to encourage new plant growth m.p.h. Remember to for wildlife such as white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, and wild watch for bicyclists and turkey. These openings also offer opportunities to view wildlife. elusive wildlife.

3—Hardwood Plot Prepare for biting flies, A slight elevation change creates this forest of mixed mosquitos, and ticks. pine and hardwoods, rather than the more characteristic slash pine and saw-toothed palmetto. Biting fire ants build Water oak, wild grape, and persimmon provide conical mounds — avoid food for black them. bears, turkeys, and other Feeding wildlife is animals, while dangerous and forbidden. gopher tortoises Do not throw items at or and snakes use the otherwise disturb any dry sand for animal. burrows. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 3330 Folkston, Georgia 31537 Okefenokee 912/496 7836 voice/TDD http://okefenokee.fws.gov National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD The Swamp Island Drive

March 2000 Trail Guide

FRONT B4/B5 B4/B5 A3/A4 A3/A4 Although sugar cane and cane syrup Seagrove were the family's cash crop, they Lake. Pig also hunted, kept livestock and bee frogs are hives, and had a substantial garden. perhaps the Swamp settlers were self-sufficient most vocal and industrious people and used animal along many of the plants growing in the the area. Saw-toothed palmettos were boardwalk, used for making woven fans and but are hats, and the stalks were lashed rarely seen. together to make brooms, as Birds such as seen on the porch. northern Turpentining was also parula and lucrative. The resin of slash prothonotary pines was collected until the warblers are tree could no longer be warm- tapped, when it then would be weather harvested for lumber. residents and may be seen 11—Slash Pine Stand and heard. Slash pines were planted here Sandhill in 1965. Refuge foresters are cranes may now thinning the trees to be spotted make better habitat for red- year-round, cockaded woodpeckers and other as can many animals. Staff also create openings, species of plant longleaf pine seedings and egrets and burn undergrowth to manage herons. uplands. For more Refuge Manager 12—Boardwalk and Observation Tower information on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge The boardwalk winds through 3/4 of refuge, contact: Route 2, Box 3330 a mile of dense swamp growth, open Folkston, Georgia 31537 prairie, and ponds, before reaching 912/496-7836 voice/TDD the fifty-foot observation tower http://okefenokee.fws.gov overlooking Chesser Prairie and 4—The Pond diminish the amount of fuel a Alligators, kingfishers, kingbirds, wildfire may consume. Although fire and pileated woodpeckers are is a natural element and aids in the residents or visitors to the pond. Titi regeneration of the swamp, certain and wax myrtle plants can be seen areas need protection. Prescribed along the pond's edge. Remember: burns can also be an excellent tool to Please do not feed or disturb the improve habitat for animals, such as wildlife! the red-cockaded woodpecker.

5—Upland Discovery Trail 8—Borrow Ditches Red-cockaded woodpeckers, an The long, narrow ponds stretching endangered species, may be found along the left side of the road are among these trees. The birds called "borrow ditches" and they are are identified by their large rich in aquatic and plant life. Most of white cheek patches — the Okefenokee's ditches have males have a red cockade, or carnivorous pitcher plants (both small mark, behind their hooded and parrot) and eyes. Red cockaded bladderworts, some ditches have woodpeckers often nest in cattails and water lilies. These areas pine trees affected by "red offer excellent wildflower viewing heart", a fungus which soften areas year-round, with orchids, rose the tree's hard center. This pogonia, and iris. Borrow ditches are makes excavating nest sites also home to turtles, alligators, and easier. Fewer mature pines snakes. available for nesting is a major reason that the species 9—Chesser Island is endangered. Chesser Island begins where the road forks into a one-way drive and 6—Superior Tree was settled by the Chesser family in A white band and sign mark the 1858. Evidence suggests that the slash pine labelled "superior" in island was originally quality by the Georgia Forestry settled between 2500 Commission. When applied to a tree, and 1000 B.C. by the term "superior" means that it Native Americans who has good form and growth rate. lived in the swamp. Periodically, the Commission will use Because there has live twigs from this tree to graft onto been so little small rooted slash pines in an archeological research attempt to produce more trees with done in this section of superior genes. The seeds from this Georgia, much of their new tree can then be history and cultural cultivated for growing other development is unknown. Fragments trees. of their pottery and an Indian mound, which was probably built 7—Prescribed Burn between 200 and 900 A.D., can be Compare the amount of seen on the trail approaching the vegetation in each marked Chesser Island homestead. area. This region has one of the highest rates of lightning 10—Chesser Island Homestead strikes in the country, so care This homestead was built by the is taken to reduce wildfire Chesser family in 1927 and is an damage. Prescribed burns example of how swamp pioneers lived in this harsh environment.

FRONT B4/B5 B4/B5 A3/A4 A3/A4 The The Refuge Swamp Okefenokee National Wildlife Walk Refuge is one of 500 refuges Swamp Trail operated by the U.S. Fish and Guide Wildlife Service. It was established Walk is to protect the native wildlife of this . 75 mile unique ecosystem. The wooden walkway before you gently winds through cypress trees wooden and open prairie marshlands. It extends 3/4 of a mile into Chesser Prairie, an area characterized by grasses and other that • vegetation. These wet prairies make up about 20% leads to { of the Okefenokee. . i 50-foot ! Along the way, you may encounter carnivorous plants, high such as pitcher plants and bladderworts, as well as observation tower cinnamon ferns, sphagnum moss and many other plants. overlooking Okefenokee As these plants partially decay, they accumulate in layers as peat on the sandy Swamp. To fully enjoy bottom of the swamp. By definition, part of the Okefenokee your journey, please Swamp is not a swamp at all. It is actually a bog, a peat-accumulating keep the following in wetland which receives most of its mind during your walk: water from rainfall. 1—Gator Holes Look before you at the alligator hole: Be prepared for biting an area in the swamp where alligators excavate the peat, causing flies, mosquitoes, and depressions. 'Gators make underwater tunnels through the thick ticks. vegetation, often linking with other 'gator holes. Their excavations keep ponds full of water and reduce vegetation Feeding wildlife is growth. In dry seasons, these areas may contain the only dangerous and water deep enough to sustain fish, turtles, and other aquatic forbidden. Do not throw life. Large turtles are known to live in this particular 'gator hole. If items at or otherwise you sit quietly, you may catch a disturb any animal. glimpse of a Florida softshell turtle. lire bervice Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 3330 Folkston, Georgia 31537 Okefenokee 912/496 7836 voice/TDD http://okefenokee.fws.gov National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1800/344 WILD The Swamp Walk Trail

March 2000 Guide 6—Prairies and Ponds completely white and have a black This shelter offers a view of a deep beak and yellow feet. Cattle egrets pond, as well as the prairie. Grasses are often found in more grassy and wildflowers are common, as well areas, as they are insect, rather as carnivorous bladderworts, which than fish, eaters. They have a yellow have tiny yellow flowers that bloom beak and during breeding season throughout the summer. Their may have a rusty hue. Wood storks wagon-wheel shaped root system have a black head and black on the snares aquatic insects. wings.

Alligators nest near this area also. Walking along the Swamp Island Their mounds of peat and vegetation Boardwalk, the Okefenokee Swamp rise above the water level and reveals just a small glimpse of itself. may contain 30-50 eggs, The delights of the swamp unfold which are laid in June and with each step. Share the joy of July. As the vegetation nature and respect what it teaches. decays and releases heat, the With nature as your guide, eggs incubate and usually mysteries can become knowledge hatch in late August. The and a simple walk on a wooden young stay with their mother pathway can become an until they are over a year old. unforgettable venture into the Mother alligators are very Okefenokee Swamp. protective so, as with all wild animals, use extreme caution when viewing them. Feeding wild animals may make them more aggressive toward humans and is very dangerous, as well as strictly forbidden.

7—Owl's Roost Tower Owl's Roost Tower looks over Seagrove Lake and Chesser Prairie. The base of the tower is ideal nesting habitat for prothonotary warblers, who normally seek cavities in trees to raise their young. These brilliant yellow birds are inquisitive and may fly near quiet visitors to inspect them. The tower is 50-feet For more Refuge Manager high and will take you to the information Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge tree tops for a bird's eye view on the refuge Route 2, Box 3330 of the swamp. contact Folkston, Georgia 31537 912/ 496-7836 voice/TDD http://okefenokee.fws.gov Common sights from the tower are great egrets (large, white wading birds) and great blue herons. Although not as common, three other white wading birds may be observed from the tower. Snowy egrets are Listen carefully and you may hear usually raising only one of the two sounds from underneath the chicks that hatch. Migratory greater boardwalk. These are usually from sandhill cranes can be seen in winter frogs, snakes, and raccoons. Because months as they prepare for their the boardwalk blocks sunlight, flight north to spring nesting sites. plants do not grow there and many animals use this area as 4—Watch the birdies a pathway. On top of the If you choose to walk to this shelter, boardwalk, anole lizards may you may be able to spot parula be seen as they warm warblers as they fly in small groups. themselves on the sun- You are also likely to hear them as bleached boards. Because they nest in the Spanish moss in the anoles may change color they overhead canopy. are often mistaken for chameleons. Spanish moss is an abundant plant in the south that gets 2—Insect-eating Plants! its nutrients from rain water Down this pathway is a and the surface of the trees shelter which may offer on which it grows. It doesn't excellent photo opportunities. harm the trees, but it is home On the way to the shelter are to many irritating insects, small ponds with many such as chiggers and ticks. pitcher plants. Okefenokee is home to three species of these 5—Cypress Trees carnivorous plants: hooded, parrot, Look for dead cypress trees and trumpet. These cleverly rising out of the water. These designed plants have a system of particular trees were killed in trapping insects in the juices at the the last great wildfire of 1954-1955. bottom of their "pitchers", which are On the average, intense wildfires actually modified leaves. When the burn the swamp on 20-year cycles insect realizes its mistake, tiny following periods of drought. downward-pointing hairs prevent it from crawling out. The plant's juices The wood of cypress trees is valued then digest the insect, extracting for its durability. These majestic nitrogen from its body. trees are unusual among conifers because they are deciduous, 3—From Pond to Forest meaning they lose their Look at the pond that is filling leaves in the fall and grow in with thick vegetation. This . .^ new ones in the spring. Live process is called swamp cypress trees are a favorite succession. As more and more scratching post for black vegetation encroaches on the bears. Look for signs of pond, it begins to fill in and where bears have sharpened may eventually support large their claws or scratched their trees. back. The bear population in Okefenokee is estimated at On your way to the next around 400 individuals and they shelter, Chesser Prairie is inhabit the entire swamp and its revealed through openings in islands. Okefenokee is one of the last the vegetation. Florida strongholds for black bears in the sandhill cranes have been southeast. spotted nesting in this area,

FRONT B4/B5 B4/B5 A3/A4 A3/A4 SP s /•• w How to use The bird checklist was designed to Loons your checklist be informative and simple to use. Common Loon r r }• The list is arranged in the order established by the American Grebes Ornithological Union. Symbols _Pied-billed Grebe c r c c which appear in this checklist _Horned Grebe 0 0 II represent the following: Pelicans and their Allies Seasonal Sp Spring, March - May _Double-crested Cormorant 0 r 0 0 appearance S Summer, June - August Anhinga* c c c c F Fall, September - November W Winter, December - February Herons, Egrets and Allies _American Bittern u u 11 c Seasonal a. abundant Least Bittern* 1) i) r abundance (a common species which is very Great Blue Heron* c c c c numerous) Great Egret* c c c c Snowy Egret* II u u 0 c. common _Little Blue Heron* c c c c (certain to be seen in suitable _Tricolored Heron* 0 0 0 0 habitat) _Cattle Egret* c c c Green-backed Heron* c c c 0 u. uncommon _Black-crowned Night-Heron* c I) c c (present but not certain to be _Yellow-crowned Night-Heron II u 11 u seen) Ibises, Spoonbill, Stork o. occasional White Ibis* C a a c (seen only a few times during a Glossy Ibis r r r season) Wood Stork* o c c o

r. rare (seen at intervals of 2 to 5 Waterfowl Canada Goose years) o o o __Wood Duck* c c c Green-winged Teal C c c known or suspected to have American Black Duck 0 o 0 nested on refuge or known to _Mallard c c c nest locally. _Northern Pintail u n u Blue-winged Teal 11 u 0 This checklist includes 234 species of _Northern Shoveler u u 11 birds and is based on observations Gadwall 0 0 0 by refuge personnel and visiting _American Wigeon u u II ornithologists. If you should find an Canvasback r r r unlisted species, please let us know _Redhead 0 o o at Refuge Headquarters. We _Ring-necked Duck <• c c appreciate your help in updating our _Lesser Scaup II u u records. Common Goldeneye r r r Bufflehead r r r _Hooded Merganser* c c c _Red-breasted Merganser r r _Ruddy Duck

Vultures, Hawks and Allies Black Vulture* _Turkey Vulture* U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service enokee anal Wildlife Refuge e 2, Box 3330 ston, Georgia 31537 I96 7836 voice/TDD Vwww.fws.gov/-r4eao National Wildlife Refuge Fish & Wildlife Service WILD Bird List

May 1998

A3/A< A3/A4 SP S F W SP \v Osprey* u u r r Cuckoos _American Swallow-tailed _Black-billed Cuckoo r r Kite u u u _Yellow-billed Cuckoo* <• c c Bald Eagle 0 0 0 _Northern Harrier u u u Owls Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 __Eastern Screech-Owl* 11 u n 11 Cooper's Hawk 0 r o 0 Great Horned Owl u II u u __Red-shouldered Hawk* c c c c _Barred Owl* C c c c Broad-winged Hawk r r _Red-tailed Hawk* u r u u Goatsuckers Golden Eagle r r r Common Nighthawk* c c c __American Kestrel* c 0 C c Chuck-will's-widow* c C ( Merlin r r r _Whip-poor-will 0 0 r _Peregrine Falcon r r r Swifts, Hummingbirds Gallinaceous Birds Chimney Swift c c c (Quail, Turkey and Allies) _Ruby-throated Hummingbird11 li li II Wild Turkey* C u c u _Northern Bobwhite* c c c c Kingfishers _Belted Kingfisher* C II c c Rails, Gallinules, Coots and Cranes _King Rail* r r r r Woodpeckers _Virginia Rail r r _Red-headed Woodpecker* c II c u Sora r r _Red-bellied Woodpecker* c c c c _Purple Gallinule* u u u u _Yellow-bellied Sapsucker c c c Common Moorhen* u u u u _Downy Woodpecker* c c c c American Coot u u u Hairy Woodpecker* c c c c _Sandhill Crane* c c c c _Red-cockaded Woodpecker* 11 1! 11 11 _Northern Flicker* c c c c Shorebirds _Pileated Woodpecker* c c c c _Killdeer c c c Greater Yellowlegs 11 u 0 Flycatchers _Lesser Yellowlegs 11 11 0 _Eastern Wood-Pewee* c c c Solitary Sandpiper (1 0 _Acadian Flycatcher* 11 11 II Willet r r _Eastern Phoebe c c c _Spotted Sandpiper u u 0 Great Crested Flycatcher* c c (• Sanderling 0 0 0 _E astern Kingbird* c c c Semipalmated Sandpiper 0 0 0 _Western Sandpiper r r r Martins and Swallows r u c II _Dunlin r r _Purple Martin* _Tree Swallow c a c Short-billed Dowitcher 0 0 0 _Barn Swallow C u c Common Snipe C c c _American Woodcock U r u u Jays and Crows _Herring Gull r r r _Blue Jay* c c c c Black Tern r r r __American Crow* u u 11 u c Pigeons, Doves Fish Crow* C c c _Mourning Dove* c c c c Common Ground-Dove* c c c c SP S F W Indigo Bunting u 0 U Common Barn Owl Painted Bunting 0 Eurasian Wigeon Ivory-billed Woodpecker (formerly) Sparrows Greater Scaup Rufous-sided Towhee* c c c c Common Merganser Bachman's Sparrow* c c c c Vermilion Flycatcher Chipping Sparrow u u u Mississippi Kite Field Sparrow u u u Western Kingbird __Vesper Sparrow u u u Rough-Legged Hawk Savannah Sparrow u u u Gray Kingbird Grasshopper Sparrow 0 o o Yellow Rail Henslow's Sparrow o 0 0 Bachman's Warbler Fox Sparrow u u u Clapper Rail Song Sparrow c c c American Tree Sparrow Swamp Sparrow c c c Limpkin __White-throated Sparrow c c c Lark Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco r r Semipalmated Plover Le Conte's Sparrow Blackbirds, Crackles, Whimbrel Cowbirdsand Orioles House Finch Bobolink r r Red-winged Blackbird* c c c c For Refuge Manager Eastern Meadowlark* c c c c additional Okefenokee National Wildlife Rusty Blackbird u u u information Refuge Route 2, Box 3330 Brewer's Blackbird 0 0 0 contact Folkston, Georgia 31537 Boat-tailed Grackle r r r 912/496 7836 (voice and TDD) Common Grackle* c c c c Brown-headed Cowbird 0 0 0 Ethics for Take care not to disturb nesting Orchard Oriole* u u u Birdwatching birds, exposing eggs and young to Northern Oriole r r r extreme temperatures and predation.

Finches Disturb wintering wildlife as little as Purple Finch u u u possible, particularly during critical Pine Siskin r r r feeding and resting periods. They need all of their energy reserves to American Goldfinch c c c withstand the stresses of harsh weather and migration. Weaver Finches House Sparrow* Do Many birds die when they become entangled in fishing lines, 6-pack The following American White Pelican rings and other trash, or when they species are of Laughing Gull mistake garbage for food. very rare or Brown Pelican accidental Arctic Tern occurence Roseate Spoonbill Forster's Tern Tundra Swan Rock Dove Snow Goose

FRONT B4/B5 IA3/A4 A A3/A4 Sf S F w SP S F W Chickadees and Titmice Vireos Carolina Chickadee* u u u u _White-eyed Vireo* c c c u _Tufted Titmouse* c c c c Solitary Vireo u u u Yellow-throated Vireo* r r r Nuthatches _Red-eyed Vireo* U U 11 Red-breasted Nuthatch r r _White-breasted Nuthatch r r r r Warblers _Brown-headed Nuthatch* c c c c _Blue-winged Warbler r o Golden-winged Warbler 0 0 Creepers Orange-crowned Warbler u u 11 _Brown Creeper o o o _Northern Parula* c c c r Yellow Warbler u u Wrens Chestnut-sided Warbler r Carolina Wren* c c c c Magnolia Warbler r u Bewick's Wren r r Cape May Warbler u u House Wren u u _Black-throated Blue Warbler u u Winter Wren u u Yellow-rumped Warbler a a a Sedge Wren u u u _Black-throated Green Warbler r r Marsh Wren o o 0 Blackburnian Warbler u u Yellow-throated Warbler* c c c c Kinglets and Gnatcatchers Pine Warbler* cue c Golden-crowned Kinglet u u Prairie Warbler u u 0 _Ruby-crowned Kinglet a a Palm Warbler c c c _Blue-gray Gnatcatcher* u u u _Blackpoll Warbler u u Bluebirds, Thrushes and Robin Cerulean Warbler r r _Eastern Bluebird* c c c Black-and-white Warbler u o u 0 Veery u u _American Redstart c r c Gray-cheeked Thrush r r _Prothonotary Warbler* c c c _Swainson's Thrush r r _Worm-eating Warbler u u r _Hermit Thrush u u Swainson's Warbler* r r r Wood Thrush* u u u _0venbird u u American Robin c a Northern Waterthrush r r _Louisiana Waterthrush o r o Thrashers __Kentucky Warbler 0 0 _Gray Catbird* c c c c Connecticut Warbler o r _Northern Mockingbird* c c c c Common Yellowthroat* cue c Brown Thrasher* c c c c Hooded Warbler* u u u Canada Warbler r r Starling Yellow-breasted Chat r r _European Starling o o o 0 Tanagers Waxwings Summer Tanager* u u u _American Pipit o o o Scarlet Tanager r r Cedar Waxwing c u c New World Finches Shrike Northern Cardinal c c c c Loggerhead Shrike* c c c c Rose-breasted Grosbeak r r Blue Grosbeak r r r

1rnnf-i 1 (UN T1 ^^m*mH : B4/B5| |B4/B5 [iH+r^n \l 2i y A3/A4 'A4 L^y ![ Okefenokee The Okefenokee swamp is covered Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis National with cypress, blackgum, and bay sirtalis) Wildlife forests scattered throughout a flooded Refuge prairie made of grasses, sedges, and Rough Earth Snake (Virginia striatula) various aquatic plants. The peripheral upland and the almost 70 islands within Eastern Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae the swamp are forested with pine valeriae) interspersed with hardwood hammocks. Lakes of varying sizes and Eastern Coral Snake (micrurus fulvius) depths, and floating sections of the peat bed, are also part of the Okefenokee Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus terrain. conanti)

People have left their mark on the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus swamp. A 12-mile long canal was dug adamanteus) into the eastern prairies in the 1890's in a failed attempt to drain the swamp. Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus During the early 1900's large amounts atricaudatus) of timber were removed, so that very few areas of virgin forest remain. And Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius the effect of a sill which was built in the barbouri) early 1960's to control the water - flowing out of the Okefenokee into the Turtles Suwannee River has yet to be fully analyzed. Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) The Okefenokee is a rainfall-dependent system, and when periods of drought Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macroclemys occur, the area becomes susceptible to temmincki) wildfire. A 20/30 year cycle of drought and fire has allowed the Okefenokee to Florida Red-bellied Turtle (Chrysemys nelsoni) exist as the unique wetland it is. These periods cause changes in the Eastern Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia abundance of certain plants (more reticularia) grasses growing in exposed areas,) the nesting success of certain wading birds Florida Cooter (Pseudemys floridana floridana) (failure in extreme drought), and the location of some species of wildlife (fish migrate into deeper lakes and channels Red-eared Pond Slider (Pseudemys scripta and are followed by predators.) elegans)

With its varied habitats, the Yellow-bellied Pond Slider (Pseudemys scripta Okefenokee has become an area known scripta) for its abundance of plants and animals. There are 621 species of plants Florida Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina bauri) growing in the swamp. Animals include 39 fish, 37 amphibian, 64 reptile, 234 _ Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina Carolina) bird, and 50 mammal species. Use the following list to help identify an _ Striped Mud Turtle (Kinosternon bauri Okefenokee inhabitant. palmarum)

*Indicates endangered or threatened U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service enokee I >nal Wildlife Refuge e 2, Box 3330 ston, Georgia 31537 196 7836 voice/TDD Vwww.fws.gov/~r4eao National Wildlife Refuge Fish & Wildlife Service WILD Amphibians, Fish, May 1998 Mammals and

"•"jaw" Reptiles List

FRONT IB4/B5 B4/B5 IA3/A4 A3/A4 Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus cinereus). This yellowish-brown bat flies high in the air late at night and will hang in trees when resting. It is the largest bat in the East and eats mostly moths.

^Northern Yellow Bat (Lasiurus intermedius floridanus). Apparently a rare species in the area. It likes to feed in groups.

Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis). Once the most common bat in the swamp, it is now uncommon due to the decreases in man- made structures which are common nursery sites. It flies lower as the night progresses.

Rafinesque's Big-Eared Bat (Plecotus rafinesquii). A rather uncommon species in the area. They can hover like butterflies to pick off insects and fold their ears when at rest.

Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis cynocephala). An uncommon species in this area. One of the highest flying bats.

Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus mexicanus). This unusual "ground" mammal was first seen on the refuge in 1968. Since then it has become more numerous and is commonly seen along roadways and trails.

Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustria palustris). Fairly common on the swamp edge. Frequently takes to water to escape enemies and often walks on its hind legs. Tail is gray underneath.

Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus). Common around clearings and in the more sparse pine woods on the uplands surrounding the swamp and on some of the islands. Females have territories and males may be seen in courtship dances at night.

Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis carolinensis). Abundant in the blackgum bay forests in the swamp and in the oak woodlands on the upland. _ Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrum) Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger niger). Uncommon in the pine forests _ Loggerhead Musk Turtle (Sternotherus minor surrounding the swamp and along roads. Its head is minor) black with white on the ears and nose.

Stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus) Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans querceti). This species is rarely seen because of its nocturnal habits, but is probably fairly . Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) common. Florida Softshell (Trionyz ferox) Georgia Pocket Gopher (Geomys pinetis pinetis). Uncommon on dry, sandy sites Note Observations of unusual species on the east side of the swamp. Rarely seen above ground. should be filed with Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Other Southeastern Pocket Gopher sightings are also welcomed. Please (Geomys pinetis floridianus). An uncommon species of record numbers and locations. this area.

Beaver (Castor canadensis carolinensis). The first record of beavers in the swamp was in 1969. Their population, never very high, varies from time to time, probably because of alligators.

Marsh Rice Rat (Oryzomys palustris palustris). A fairly common mammal throughout the swamp.

Eastern Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys humilus humilus). Found in the prairies and in old fields near the swamp's edge.

Oldfield Mouse (Peromyscus polionotus polionotus). Feeds on seeds and berries.

Cotton Mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli aureolis). Common throughout the area. Found under palmetto scrub. Good tree climber and swimmer.

Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli aureolis). This species is probably rare. It has been found in hammocks on the islands. It uses its long tail for balance while running along high tree limbs.

^Hispid Cotton Rat (Signodon hispidus hispiedus). A common mammal in the pine woods and old fields on the upland around the swamp.

FRONT A3/A4 A3/A4 <**«* _ Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos) Mammals

Southern Hognose Snake (Heterodon simus) Virginia Opossum _ Mole Snake (Lampropeltis calligaster (Didelphis virginiana pigna). Common on the swamp rhombomaculata) edge and the islands within the Swamp. A night prowler. "Pogo" is often seen by campers. _ Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus) Southern Short-Tailed Shrew Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis triangulum (Barina carolinensis). A specimen was found on Floyds elapsoides) Island June 12,1921. It kills its prey with poisonous saliva. _ Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) Least Shrew (Cryptotus parva parva). Rarely seen but probably fairly common. Specimens have been found on several of the Florida Green Water Snake (Nerodia cyclopion islands, on the swamp edge, and in the pine woods floridana) around the swamp.

Yellow-bellied Water Snake (Nerodia Eastern Mole erythrogaster erythrogaster) (Scalopus aquaticus australis). Generally distributed on the upland adjacent to the swamp and has been found on _ Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata fasciata) some of the islands within the swamp.

Florida Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata Star-Nosed Mole pictiventris) (Condylura cristata). Apparently rare. Nose surrounded by finger like, fleshy projections. Brown Water Snake (Nerodia taxispilota) Southeastern Myotis Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) (Myotis austroriparius austroriparius). Species of bat native to Southeast Georgia. Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitis) Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus subflavus). A fairly common Striped Swamp Snake (Regina alleni) species in the area. One of the smallest eastern bats.

Eastern Glossy Water Snake (Regina rigda rigida) Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus fuscus). An uncommon species in the Pine Woods Snake (Rhadinaea flavilata) area. The fastest known bat with speeds of 40 mph.

North Florida Black Swamp Snake (Seminatrix _Red Bat pygaea pygaea) (Lasiurus borealis borealis). An uncommon species in the area. One of the few mammals in which males and Florida Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi victa) females are different colors.

Florida Red-bellied Snake (Storeria Seminole Bat occipitomaculata obscura) (Lasiurus seminolus). A common bat of the Okefenokee which is found hanging in Spanish Moss during the day. Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackeni) Eastern Woodrat _J.ong-Tailed Weasel (Neotoma floridana floridana). Fairly common throughout (Mustela frenata olivacea). This species is probably more the swamp and in the hammocks on the upland. Also known common than the few observations would indicate. locally as the Packrat because of its habit of building a huge Specimens have been found on Billy's Island and on pile of sticks for its nest, and for collecting shiny objects. Chesser Island.

Woodland Vole _Mink (Microtus pinetorum parvulus). Tunnels through leaf (Mustela vison mink). Very rarely seen in the mold and loose soil near the surface of the upland areas Okefenokee, this chiefly nocturnal animal is an excellent and eats bulbs, tubers, and seeds. swimmer.

.Round-Tailed Muskrat _Striped Skunk (Neofiber alleni exoristus). Occasionally seen in the (Mephitis mephitis elongata). This species is generally prairies where a bulky grass house is constructed over distributed on the upland surrounding the swamp and is the water along with a feeding platform. found occasionally on the islands.

Black Rat _River Otter (Rattus rattus rattus). This was the common barn rat (Lontra canadensis vaga). Occasionally observed along when farming was practiced on some of the islands the water courses, especially during the winter. within the swamp. It probably occurs now on farmsteads in the vicinity but not on the refuge. Florida Panther* (Felis concolor coryi). Apparently this species was never Roof Rat more than of rare occurrence in the vicinity of the (Rattus rattus alexandrinus). It was a common barn rat swamp. when farming was practiced in the swamp but it probably occurs now only in the vicinity. _Bobcat (Lynx rufus floridanus). Common throughout the swamp House Mouse and on the surrounding uplands. Occasionally seen along (Mus musculus musculus). Formerly common around Swamp Island Drive. habitations but now that few people live within the swamp, it has probably disappeared from the area. Very _Wild Pig likely it is still common around human habitations in the (Sus scrofa). These feral pigs were introduced by the vicinity of the swamp. early settlers of the swamp.

_Gray Fox _White-Tailed Deer (Urocyon cinereoargenteus floridanus). Fairly common on (Odocoileus virginianus). These deer can be found the upland around the swamp. Has the ability to climb trees. throughout the refuge even travelling across prairies from island to island. Red Fox (Vulpes fulva fulva). This species is rare but occurs Fish occasionally on the upland in the vicinity of the swamp. Florida Gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus)

__Black Bear Bowfin (Amia calva) (Ursus americanus floridianus). Bears range throughout the refuge. Look for them wherever berries and acorns American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) area abundant. Redfin Pickerel (Esox americanus americanus) Raccoon (Procyon lotor elucus). The most abundant large Chain Pickerel ( Esox niger) mammal on the refuge. It is found in all habitats but is most numerous on the swamp edge. They are commonly seen in areas and occasionally along boat trails. Eastern Mudminnow (Umbra pygmaea)

B4/B5 B4/B5 A3/A4 Pig Frog (Rana grylio) Lizards

River Frog (Rana heckscheri) Eastern Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudus) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana utricularia) Island Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus compressus) Carpenter Frog (Rana virgatipes) Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) Salamanders Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum). Southern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus undulatus) Mole Salamander (Ambystoma tallpoideum) Northern Mole Skink (Eumeces egregius) Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus) Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means) Southern Five-lined Skink (Eumeces Southern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus auriculatus) inexpectatus) Broad-headed Skink (Eumeces laticeps) Southern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineatat cirriger) Ground Skink (Scincella laterale) Dwarf Salamander (Eurycea quadridigitatus) Six-lined Race Runner (Cnemidophorus Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus sexlineatus sexlineatus) glutinosus) Snakes Gulf Coast Mud Salamander (Pseudotriton montanus Floridanus) Northern Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea copei) Many-lined Salamander (Stereochilus marginatus) Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) Striped Newt (Notophthalamus perstriatus) Southern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis Central Newt (Notophthalamus viridescens punctatus punctatus) louisianensis) Indigo Snake* (Drymarchon corais couperi) Drawf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus spp.) Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata guttata) Eastern Lesser Siren (Siren intermedia intermedia) Yellow Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata)

Greater Siren (Siren lacertina) Gray Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides)

Crocodilians Eastern Mud Snake (Farancia abacura abacura)

American Alligator* (Alligator mississippiensis) Rainbow Snake (Farancia erytrogramma) Lake Chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta) Dollar Sunfish (Lepomis marginatus)

Spotted Chubsucker (Minytrema melanops) Spotted Sunfish (lepomis punctatus)

Yellow Bullhead (Ictalurus natalis) Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Brown Bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus) Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)

Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Scalyhead Darter (Etheostoma barratti)

Tadpole Madtom (Noturus gyrinus) Swamp Darter (Etheostoma Fusiforme)

Speckled Madtom (Noturus leptacanthus) Blackbanded Darter (Percina nigrofasciata)

Pirate Perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) Toads and Frogs Golden Topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus) _ Oak Toad (Bufo quercicus)

Banded Topminnow (Fundulus cingulatus) _ Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris)

Lined Topminnow (Fundulus lineolatus) _ Florida Cricket Frog (Acris gryllus dorsalis)

Starhead Topminnow (Fundulus notti) _ Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)

Pygmy Killifish (Leptolucania ommata) _ Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea cinerea)

_ Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) _ Southern Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer bartramiana)

_ Least Killifish (Heterandria formosa) _ Pine Woods Treefrog (Hyla femoralis)

_ Brook Silverside (Labidesthes sicculus) _ Barking Treefrog (Hyla gratiosa)

_ Everglades Pygmy Sunfish (Elassoma evergladei) _ Squirrel Treefrog (Hyla squirella) _ Little Grass Frog (Limnaoedus ocularis) _ Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish (Elassoma okefenokee) _ Southern Chorus Frog (Pseudacris nigrita nigrita) _ Mud Sunfish (Acantharchus pomotis) Ornate Chorus Frog (Pseudacris ornata) _ Flier (Centrarchus macropterus) Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne Blackbanded Sunfish (Enneacanthus chaetodon) carolinensis)

Bluespotted Sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus) Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus holbrooki holbrooki) Banded Sunfish (Enneacanthus obesus) Florida Gopher Frog (Rana areolata aescpus) Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus) Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) Bronze Frog (Rana clamitans clamitans) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

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