Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program

Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Annual Report

 Table of Contents Executive Summary•3 Introduction•4 Invasive Plant Control Projects•11 East Central Working Group Projects•14 Florida Keys Working Group Projects•18 Mosquito Coast Working Group Projects•28 Northeast Working Group Projects•37 Panhandle Working Group Projects•45 Southeast Working Group Projects•52 Southwest Working Group Projects•71 Sun Coast Working Group Projects•82 Treasure Coast Working Group Projects•94 West Central Working Group Projects•104 Withlacoochee Working Group Projects•118 Melaleuca Program Projects•130 Lygodium Strike Team Projects•133 Herbicide Bank Projects•134 Uplands Program Operations Summary•135

 Executive Summary

ver one-and-one-half million acres of The mission of the Upland Weed Program is to OFlorida’s public conservation lands have achieve maintenance control of invasive exotic been invaded by alien (exotic, nonnative, plants like Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), nonindigenous) plants such as melaleuca, melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Brazilian Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and climbing pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Old World ferns. However, invasive alien plants respect no climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) on public boundaries and millions of acres of private land conservation lands. These and over one hundred are also affected. This ongoing alien invasion other alien plants have invaded at least 1.5 million has degraded and diminished what remains acres of Florida’s nearly 11 million acres of public of Florida’s natural areas, affected agricultural conservation lands, affecting an ecotourism production, and reduced outdoor recreation and economy valued at $8 billion annually. Once ecotourism opportunities. invasive plants become established in native habitats, eradication is difficult, if not impossible The Bureau of Invasive Plant Management to achieve; therefore, continuous maintenance (BIPM) is the designated lead agency in Florida of invasive nonnative plants is needed to sustain responsible for coordinating and funding wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities the statewide control of invasive aquatic and while preserving native plant communities on upland plants in public waterways and on public conservation lands. public conservation lands. Florida’s aquatic plant management program is one of the oldest Upland invasive weeds infested approximately invasive species control programs in the world, fifteen percent of public conservation lands with its beginnings dating back to the early 1900s. statewide in 2006. Over thirty-two percent With the later addition of the upland invasive (525,000 acres) of the affected area is currently plant control program, BIPM oversees the largest under maintenance control. BIPM expended and most successful invasive plant management $9.8 million controlling approximately 192,000 effort of its kind in the United States. acres of upland weeds on 136 publicly managed areas during FY 2006. Cooperating agencies The Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management contributed another $3 million in cash, time and Program was established in 1997 to address materials, or in-kind services as a match to BIPM the need for a statewide coordinated approach funding. Public land managers are responsible to the terrestrial (vs. aquatic) invasive exotic for maintenance control of areas initially treated plant problem. The “Upland Weed” Program through state funding. BIPM provided herbicide incorporates place-based management concepts, to assist land managers with maintenance control bringing together regionally diverse interests at a cost of $1,126,000 for FY 2006. to develop flexible, innovative strategies to address weed management issues at the local level. The Upland Weed section of the bureau funds individual exotic plant removal projects on public conservation lands statewide. Projects are considered for funding based upon The lygodium moth, the first recommendations from eleven Regional Invasive biocontrol agent for climbing Plant Working Groups. ferns, was released in 2006.

 Introduction

 Introduction

Florida’s Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program

When our state was first named La Florida, its profusely blooming foliage was composed of a panoply of colorful native plants. Today, exotic species comprise roughly one-third of Florida’s plant life. Many of these newer botanical residents support the economically important agricultural and horticultural industries; however, there are always a few bad apples in any barrel (tropical soda apple, for one). An estimated ten percent of the thousands of non-native plants in Florida are invasive, that is, plants that pose a threat to natural systems. Invasive exotic plant species, lacking control Florida lies in three climatic zones, tropical, sub-tropical, by their native diseases and predators, spread and temperate, and thus possesses a wide array of natural communities. Unfortunately, invasive exotic plants have explosively and outcompete and replace vital found their way into every natural habitat from coastal native species on public and private land. The beach dunes (above left) to interior pine flatwoods (below resulting infestations diminish wildlife habitat, left). Fortunately, the Uplands Program can control decrease recreational resources, and negatively invaders wherever they are found (above and below right). affect the natural health and economy of the state. With its subtropical climate, an island-like topography, and the pressures of a rapidly expanding human population, Florida is especially vulnerable to invasion by non-native (introduced, exotic, alien) species. Florida is listed along with Hawaii, California, and Louisiana as one of the states with the highest number of non-native species, both plants and animals. The South Florida region alone is home to more introduced plants than any other region within other states. Thirty years ago, a Smithsonian publication described tropical Florida as a “biological cesspool of introduced life.”

 Introduction

While South Florida has been hardest hit by this difficult, if not impossible, to achieve; therefore, invasion of alien species, the problem is statewide continuous maintenance is needed to sustain in scope. Compounding the problems caused wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities by this ongoing invasion is a general lack of while preserving native plant communities. awareness about the invasiveness of non-native The 1997 Legislature charged the Bureau of species introduced into the Florida environment. Invasive Plant Management (BIPM) with the task Florida covers 36 million surface acres, with of creating a program to bring invasive exotic nearly 11 million acres in public ownership for upland plant species under maintenance control. natural resource protection. Invasive exotic A maintenance control program, as defined in plants have invaded approximately fifteen percent Section 369.22, Florida Statutes, is “a method of these public conservation lands, affecting an for the control of exotic plants in which control ecotourism economy valued at nearly $8 billion techniques are utilized in a coordinated manner annually. [Total tourism revenue in 2005 was on a continuous basis in order to maintain the over $57 billion.] plant population at the lowest feasible level.” Some invaders change the composition, structure, The Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management and/or processes of native plant and animal (Uplands) Program was established that same communities. One easily observed example is year. To implement its statewide cooperative when the invader forms a dense one-species strategy, the Uplands Program divided the stand (monoculture) where once there was a state into Regional Invasive Plant Working rich assembly of native species, resulting in a Groups. The Uplands Program funds individual loss of biodiversity. A number of populations invasive exotic plant control projects on public of Florida’s rarest plants have been lost in conservation lands based upon recommendations this fashion. Other invaders modify habitat from these working groups. The Uplands processes, for example, by changing water flow Program melds these regional priorities into or by increasing fire frequency in habitats not an integrated process that provides the needed adapted to fire. Once invasive plants become support infrastructure to conduct an efficient and established in native habitats, eradication is cost-effective statewide control program. Funding for the Uplands Program is provided through the Invasive Plant Management Trust Fund as set forth in §369.252(4), F.S., which reads: “use funds in the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund as authorized by the Legislature for carrying out activities under this section on public lands. Twenty percent of the amount credited to the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund pursuant to §201.15(6) shall be used for the purpose of controlling nonnative, upland, invasive plant species on public lands.” The trust fund provided over $8.5 million to fund upland The melaleuca sawfly is the latest biological control weed control projects for fiscal year 2005. agent to be released in the Everglades.

 Introduction

Florida’s Ten Most Unwanted Invasive Plants in 2006

Plant Treated Acres Treated % of All Acres Florida’s Top Ten Worst Plants Based on control data provided melaleuca 27,044 35.4 by contractors, these ten plants (left) infested the most acres of Brazilian pepper 8,257 10.8 land treated in fiscal year 2006. climbing ferns 5,536 7.2 The list represents 15 species: 2 Lygodium spp. (climbing ferns), soda apples 1,449 1.9 3 Solanum spp. (sodas apples), 2 Ardisia spp. (ardisias), and cogon grass 869 1.1 2 Casuarina spp. (Australian downy rose-myrtle 584 0.8 pine). ardisias 486 0.7 Caesar’s weed 315 0.4 Australian pine 300 0.4 camphor tree 169 0.2

As stated in the DEP Agency Strategic Plan, the ◊ Research the use of biocontrol agents and long-term program goal is to reduce infestations provide procedures and facilities for their of upland invasive exotic plants on public cultivation, dissemination, and evaluation lands by twenty-five percent by 2010, based on including monitoring and field assessments by estimated 1995 levels of 1.5 million acres. The the year 2010. 2001 Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Melaleuca and Brazilian pepper are two well Program Strategic Plan set forth specific known weeds in Florida, once covering more strategies to implement the program’s long-term than one million acres of public conservation goal, including: lands. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council ◊ Implement an integrated program that (FLEPPC) lists 67 invasive plants found in the uses chemical, mechanical, and biocontrol state as Category I pest plants and another 60 technologies. Modify procedures as species as Category II. Category I species are appropriate to assure the greatest protection for those known to have damaged natural areas, natural systems; while Category II species are not yet implicated ◊ Improve the general public’s awareness of the in direct damage to ecosystems. Often, there threat to biodiversity from invasive plants by may be a long lag time (years or decades) developing a comprehensive education and before an exotic species shows its true colors. outreach program; Plants like Old World climbing fern (Lygodium ◊ Inventory and map with GIS the distribution of microphyllum) and cogon grass (Imperata invasive exotic plant species by the year 2010; cylindrica) have expanded their range in recent and, years and are on the verge of overwhelming parks and forests across the state.

 Introduction BIPM FY06 Uplands Project Acres and Dollars by Managing Agency Agency Acres Funds Bureau of Invasive Plant Management 98 $1,153 Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas 215 $243,975 Division of Forestry 12,754 $543,033 Division of Recreation & Parks 13,485 $1,259,472 Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission 73,050 $1,828,807 Office of Greenways & Trails 4,714 $38,599 Water Management Districts 41,820 $1,149,886 Department of Defense 758 $167,003 National Park Service 9,948 $1,138,884 US Forest Service 34 $31,375 US Fish & Wildlife Service 25,633 $742,722 City agencies 515 $324,944 County agencies 9,896 $2,209,450 TOTAL 192,920 $9,460,303 1Includes $1 million Melaleuca Program. In fiscal year 2006, the Uplands Program expended approximately $9.5 million for control operations on over 190,000 acres. This table shows the distribution of funds to federal, state, and local agencies. BIPM has spent over $50 million to bring over The Uplands Program has clearly met the need 500,000 acres of upland weeds under maintenance for a comprehensive plan that incorporates control since the inception of the Uplands broad and consistent strategies, reduces Program. Cooperating agencies contributed agency inconsistencies, and takes into account nearly $23 million in matching funds and in-kind differing agency mandates to achieve the goal services towards projects funded by the program. of controlling invasive plant species in Florida. Over its almost ten-year history, the program The program is not only applicable to and has assisted public land managers on 392 federal, coordinated with state and federal efforts to state, and county managed natural areas located manage invasive species, but has also been used in 58 different counties by funding 945 invasive as a model by other states and countries. plant control operations treating 100 recognized BIPM directs significant staff and monetary weedy species. The Uplands Program cooperated resources into the control of invasive exotic on projects with 5 federal, 5 state, and 4 regional plants on land managed by the state and other land managing agencies, 24 counties, 19 cities, 3 public agencies. In fiscal year 2006, the Uplands universities, and 1 community college. At least Program expended approximately $9.5 million 100 projects are expected to be funded during for control operations on over 190,000 acres of FY 2007. Public land managers are typically public conservation land. The above table shows responsible for the continued maintenance the distribution of funds to federal, state, and control of areas originally treated with bureau local agencies. Some managed areas may have funding; however, BIPM has funded a growing more than one project conducted within their number of maintenance projects, particularly boundaries during the year, while some projects where the initial project covered thousands of may encompass more than one managed area. acres. BIPM has further assisted land managers by providing herbicide for in-house maintenance control, at a cost of over $3 million since FY 2001.

 Introduction

Invasion by non-native plants is one problem that can be solved by “throwing a lot of money at it.” As funding increases, more contractors can be hired, more herbicide purchased, and more acres treated (see table at right). There must be a limit to this relationship, but it has yet to be reached by the Uplands Program.

The Uplands Program began as and remains an initial treatment operation. However, as the number of acres treated has grown substantially over the years, attention has been given to assisting land managers with large scale maintenance needs (see chart at left). Re- treatment costs can be significant, with some projects costing as much as $200,000.

Statewide Acres Treated 1998-2006 Acres % of Total Florida’s Top Ten Worst Plants, Ever! Plant Treated Controlled Treated Acres Each year, the amount of a specific species treated will vary. Based on control data, the ten plants at melaleuca 163,712 70.6% right have had the largest cumulative impact over the Brazilian pepper 55,868 24.1% nine-year history of the Uplands Program (see table climbing ferns 19,718 8.5% on p. 7 for comparison). Climbing ferns (Lygodium Australian pines 5,267 2.3% spp.), unlike melaleuca and Brazilian pepper, affect Chinese tallow 4,682 2.0% the entire state (and beyond). This invader has the soda apples 4,631 2.0% potential to surpass all other species in its negative cogon grass 3,366 1.5% effect on Florida’s environment. Caesar’s weed 2,903 1.3% air-potato 2,383 1.0% skunk vine 1,884 0.8%

 Introduction Methods of Invasive Plant Control Herbicides, biological controls, manual (hand- control methods is essential after the use of heavy pulling), mechanical, and physical controls equipment because disturbance of the soil creates are used separately or in combination to slow favorable conditions for regrowth from seeds the spread of invasive plants. Herbicides are and root fragments, and re-colonization by other pesticides designed to kill plants. They are a vital invasive non-native plants. Mechanical removal component of most control programs may not be appropriate in natural and are used extensively for invasive areas because of disturbance to soils exotic plant management in Florida. and non-target vegetation. However, Herbicides are target-specific and it is the only effective way to quickly are much safer in use than pesticides remove dense monocultures of intended for insects or other animals. species such as Brazilian pepper and Herbicide application methods basal bark application Australian pine. include: Foliar. Herbicide is applied to the Many plants are prevented from plant with aerial or ground based becoming serious weeds in their equipment. Foliar applications can native range by a complex assortment be either directed or broadcast. of diseases, insects, and other Broadcast applications are used when herbivorous organisms. When a plant damage to non-target vegetation is a is brought into a new environment minimal concern or when a selective with favorable growing conditions, girdle treatment herbicide is used. the absence of these regulating Basal bark. Herbicide is applied species may allow non-native plants directly to the bark around the to become serious weeds. “Classical” circumference of the tree up to biological control seeks to locate fifteen inches above the ground. The insects from a plant’s native range and herbicide is absorbed through the import host-specific species to attack bark. and control the plant in regions where Girdle (or “hack-and-squirt”). it has become a weed. This approach Cuts are made into the cambium Brontosaurus mower has a proven safety record and has around the circumference of the tree. been effective in controlling a number Herbicide is then applied to each cut. of weeds around the world. Cut stump. After cutting and Prescribed burning and water level removing large trees or brush, manipulation are cultural practices herbicide is sprayed or painted onto that are used in management of the cut surface. The herbicide is pastures, rangeland, and commercial usually concentrated on the cambium melaleuca weevil forests, and, in some situations, layer on large stumps. may be appropriate for vegetation Mechanical removal involves the use of a management on natural areas. Some species, bulldozer, Brontosaurus mower, Hydroaxe, or such as melaleuca and cogon grass, respond other specialized logging equipment to remove positively to fire, so prescribed burning, if used, woody plants. Intense follow up with other must be coupled with another control method.

10 Introduction

Invasive Plant Control Projects

11 Invasive Plant Control Projects

Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Control Projects Fiscal Year 2005-2006

The Regional Invasive Plant Working Group Bureau funds expended. When funding from brings together stakeholders in a geographic another agency was provided, the amount is area for the purpose of combining expertise, noted in the body of the report. Most projects energy, and resources to deal with common are solely funded by the Bureau. Control data are weed problems. The Bureau relies on the derived from daily progress reports submitted by local knowledge within each working group the contractor performing the work. The type to set regional control priorities based upon of control is agreed upon by the site manager, severity and potential threat to existing public contractor, and program staff before work begins. conservation lands. The working group reviews and ranks proposals from land managers for state-funded control operations. The ranked lists of projects then form the basis for the state program’s annual work plan. The eleven working groups are made up of over 500 members representing federal, state, and local government public conservation land managers, non-governmental organizations, and private landowners across the state. Program liaisons have been designated for each working group to facilitate proposal review and coordination with the state program staff. REGIONAL INVASIVE PLANT WORKING GROUPS The following sections report on projects completed this year and are arranged alphabetically by Working Group (EC - WR). The Bureau divided the state into eleven Regional Invasive Plant Working Groups, which generally follow watershed Each report references the public conservation boundaries. Projects pass through the working groups for land where the work occurred, a file tracking review and ranking before being accepted by the Bureau. number, the size of the project area, and total

12 Invasive Plant Control Projects

Each project description also contains a table indicating the species of plant treated, a species rank, the type of control method used, and the Most contractual work herbicides used. In this table, “rank” refers to is performed by ground the designation as a Category I or Category crews. A typical crew II invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest consists of one supervisor Plant Council (see www.fleppc.org for more and eight workers. information). “Herbicide” indicates the type of chemical used (see below for abbreviations used). Contractors use various mixtures, depending upon factors such as site/soil conditions, plant densities, proximity to water bodies, or personal experience. When two herbicides are mixed Herbicide is mixed on site and poured into backpack together this is indicated with a “+” symbol; sprayers that workers will e.g., “GLY+MET.” When two different herbicide use for a basal bark or cut mixes are used to control the same plant on a stump application. project, for example Garlon 4 (triclopyr) is used in one area and Rodeo (glyphosate) is used in another, this is indicated with a “/” symbol; e.g., “TRIE/GLY.” There is no one “right” mix for any When a thick plant under all conditions. The mention of a monoculture brand or trade name is not an endorsement for dominates a that product. site, mechanical control with heavy equipment becomes a cost- ABBREVIATIONS effective alternative PCL: public conservation land to using ground TYPE (METHOD) OF CONTROL: crews. BB basal bark CS cut stump FL foliar FG frill and girdle (or “hack-and-squirt”) PC poodle cut (foliar, vines only) AR aerial broadcast by helicopter MC mechanical HERBICIDES: GLY glyphosate (e.g., Roundup) TRIE triclopyr ester (e.g., Garlon 4) TRIA triclopyr amine (e.g., Tahoe 3A) IMZ imazapyr (e.g., Arsenal) IMP imazapic (e.g., Plateau) MET metsulfuron-methyl (e.g., Escort) Some counties have their own invasive plant control 24D ,4-D amine program. BIPM works directly with these county programs, rather than going through a private contractor.

13 East Central Working Group Projects

14 Wekiva River Basin County: Lake, Orange, Seminole PCL Size (see below) Project ID: EC-046 7 acres $19,019.49 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Rick Owen, Park Biologist 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, Florida 32712 Phone: 407-884-2006, Fax: 407-884-2039 E-mail: [email protected] The Wekiva River Basin State Parks total approximately 43,000 acres and are located in Orange, Seminole, and Lake Counties. The three main units are Wekiwa Springs State Park (7,725 acres), Rock Springs Run State Reserve (14,011 acres), and the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park (17,579 acres). The project area comprised the uplands adjacent and parallel to a small intermittent creek system (herein called WS20 Creek) that drains from a wetland into Lake Prevatt, an Outstanding Florida Waterway. WS20 Creek acts as a significant conduit for the spread of exotic plants. The origin of this creek system is closely tied into drainage of the surrounding uplands outside the park boundaries. This offsite drainage coalesces at the southwestern park boundary as a 30-acre bayhead swamp. From this swamp, WS20 Creek flows east through pine flatwoods and then north through mainly scrubby flatwoods with some sandhills. The creek again turns east and flows through sandhills, before emptying into Lake Prevatt. The length of WS20 Creek on park property is approximately 0.8 miles. Exotics were located along nearly the entire length of the creek with air-potato and Caesar’s weed the most abundant species. Contractual work targeted the below species on 32 acres at a cost of $6,061. The BIPM Herbicide Bank provided $12,957 in chemicals for maintenance control conducted by park staff on 95 acres.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRI Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY Nephrolepis spp. sword fern I FL GLY Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRI Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB TRI Melinis repens Natal grass II FL GLY Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL GLY

15 Wekiva River Basin

Top right: These fertile fronds of Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum) are a scary sight to land managers. Center right: Wrapped with an air-potato vine (Dioscorea bulbifera) and hanging bulbils, this pine tree must also contend with the arrival of a Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) sapling (foreground). Bottom right: This pristine blackwater stream finds its banks invaded by wild taro (Colocasia esculenta). Dang!

16 Lake Lotus Park County: Seminole PCL Size: 125 acres Project ID: EC-047 0 acres $23,145.46 Project Manager: The City of Altamonte Springs Cindy J. Falk, Park Ranger 1153 Lake Lotus Park Road, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714 Phone/Fax: 407-293-8885 E-mail: [email protected] Lake Lotus Park encompasses natural habitat ranging from pine scrub to floodplain wetlands. Listed species in or near the treatment areas include cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), and Florida flame azalea (Rhododendrum austrinum). The City provided an in-kind match of $5,614 in time and materials for this project. Invasive plant control work targeted two areas of the park, with the first site located in pine flatwoods along the Little Wekiva River on the east side of the park. This site comprised approximately 100 feet on each bank of the river, equaling an area of infestation of seven acres with sixty percent coverage. The second site, in hydric hammock on the west side of the park, abutted the boardwalk and trails, with additional small areas of infestation found along the north section of the boardwalk. The work area totaled three acres with twenty percent coverage.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I CS TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY Macfadyena unguis-cati cat’s claw vine I FL GLY Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I CS TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II CS TRIE Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE Enterolobium contortisiliquum ear-pod tree n/a CS TRIE

Skunk vine (left) and cat claw’s vine (below) are a growing problem in central Florida conservation areas.

17 Florida Keys Working Group Projects

18 State Parks in the Florida Keys County: Monroe PCL: various Project ID: FK-055 378 acres $99,529.45 Project ID: FK-064 70 acres $79,691.33 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Pat Wells, Park Manager P.O. Box 487, Key Largo, Florida 33037 Phone: 305-451-1202, Fax: 305-853-3555 The endangered native lignumvitae (Guaiacum E-mail: [email protected] sanctum) grows on the key that bears its name. Public conservation land protects a significant area of the Florida Keys, and includes Dagny R Johnson Key Largo Hammocks (KLH - 2,421 acres), John Pennekamp Coral Reef (PCR - 63,644 acres), Lignumvitae Key Botanical (LKB - 10,659 acres), Windley Key Geologic, Indian Key Historic (IKH - 110.5 acres), Long Key (LK - 980 acers), and Curry Hammock (CH - 970 acres) State Parks. The native vegetation of the Keys derives primarily from West Indian and Caribbean origin. Natural communities within the state parks include tropical hardwood hammock, pine rocklands, freshwater wetlands, and mangrove swamp. These lands are home to a number of rare endemic plants, such as the endangered Keys’ indigo (Indigofera keyensis) and wild cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The first of two projects funded the employment of four exotic plant control technicians for the Keys state parks during the 2006 fiscal year. These exotic plant control technicians were BIPM OPS (temporary) employees who provided initial treatment and additional re-treatment of state park lands in the Keys. The technicians also conducted quarterly maintenance treatments. FPS provided matching costs for herbicide, vehicles, and crew equipment with a total value of $24,000. One portion of the project primarily addressed a relatively thin but widespread population of sapodilla. This species occurred throughout 2,000 acres or more of KLH and PCR. Sapodilla fruits may play a role in a higher than normal population density of raccoons, which is a suspected factor in the decline of the federally endangered Key Largo wood rat. The dense evergreen canopy of sapodilla trees may also have an effect on sunlight availability for understory species, thus shading out native species. The second project included three follow-up sites in KLH, two sites in LKB, and a single site at IKH. All project sites were re-treatments of infestations greatly reduced by initial treatments conducted within the past three years. The first site at KLH was dominated by many thousands of seedling Australian pines and dense Burma reed, with much smaller numbers of Brazilian pepper, lather leaf, and beach naupaka also present. The second site, once a dense stand of mature portia trees, faced hundreds of saplings and seedlings rising from the seed bank and re-sprouting shoots from surviving stumps. Brazilian pepper and lather leaf occurred as small, scattered populations over 10.5 acres. The Choate Addition on Upper Matecumbe Key and the Klopp Addition on Lower Matecumbe Key comprised the LKB project area. The Choate tract is 108 acres of mangrove wetlands and 35 acres of mature hammock. Control work on this site included follow-up treatment of Brazilian pepper, lead tree, bowstring hemp, portia, Australian pine, and Madagascar rubber vine. The Klopp Tract comprises 17.31 acres of mangrove wetland and approximately 5.72 acres of mature hammock. Two parcels

19 totaling approximately 3.5 acres required follow-up treatment of sapodilla, Brazilian pepper, lead tree, and bowstring hemp. The six-acre Atwood Addition is part of IKH on Upper Matecumbe Key. Exotic species found scattered throughout both sections of hammock and along the coastal berm that required follow-up treatment included sapodilla, Brazilian pepper, lead tree, Australian pine, and bowstring hemp.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine I BB TRIE Colubrina asiatica lather leaf I CS TRIA Manilkara zapota sapodilla I CS TRIA Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed I FL GLY Scaevola sericea beach naupaka I BB TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I CS TRIE Thespesia populnea portia I CS TRIA Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II CS TRIE/GLY

Two sites are located on Upper Matecumbe Key, the Choate property on the bay side and the Atwood Addition on the ocean side. The Klopp Tract on Lower Matecumbe Key is part of the land base for Lignumvitae Key.

Limestone was quarried at Windley Key (right) decades ago. The state geological site now protects native species and evidence of the fossil past (top right).

20 Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammocks Botanical State Park County: Monroe PCL Size: 2,415 acres Project ID: FK-057 5 acres $21,463 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) James Duquesnel, Park Biologist P. O. Box 487, Key Largo, FL 33037 Phone: 305-451-1202, Fax: 305-853-3555 E-mail: [email protected] Public conservation land, including two state parks, comprises a significant area of Key Largo. This project included three sites in Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park and one site at the John D. Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park campground. These protected properties provide essential habitat for the federally endangered Key Largo woodrat, Key Largo cotton mouse, Schaus swallowtail butterfly, American crocodile, and eastern indigo snake, and many more state-listed plants and animal. The first site is in close proximity to three imperiled natural communities: coastal rock barren, coastal berm, and rockland hammock. Australian pine dominated the site, where exotics had overrun an approximately one-acre area of formerly cleared subdivision lots. The second site is rockland hammock bordering homes along the north margin of a subdivision. Exotic ornamental plants, notably pothos, arrowhead vine, and bowstring hemp escaped cultivation and established populations extending as much as seventy feet into the park. Bowstring hemp infested the third site with dense cover over nearly three acres of rockland hammock. The fourth site was a light infestation of mature portia trees at the Pennekamp campground. This site is adjacent to a spring-fed wetland capable of delivering floating portia seed capsules into the tidal waters of South Sound Creek, thus facilitating dispersal to other natural areas.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina spp. Australian pine I CS TRIE Lantana camara lantana I CS GLY Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine I CS GLY Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant I CS GLY Epipremnum pinnatum pothos II CS GLY Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II CS GLY Bergerocactus spp. snakecactus n/a CS GLY Delonix regia royal poinciana n/a CS GLY Monstera deliciosa cut-leaf philodendron n/a CS GLY

21 Key West Naval Air Station County: Monroe PCL Size: 6,323 Project ID: FK-059 9.50 acres $40,944 Project ID: FK-06 85.65 acres $103,266 Project Manager: U.S. Navy Edward Barham, Natural Resources Manager Post Office Box 9007, Key West, Florida 33040-9007 Phone: 305-293-2911, Fax: 305-293-2542 E-mail: [email protected]

Two projects were conducted at Key West NAS in FY A marsh without invading trees and 2006; one for initial control, and one for both initial and shrubs—just right for a marsh rabbit. maintenance control. The first project was comprised of three sites located on Boca Chica and Truman Annex. The Boca Chica Field Weapons Area site, a filled scarified area within the southwest corner of Boca Chica, included four discrete locations totaling 3.5 acres adjacent to mangrove wetlands, open water, and habitat for the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri). North Boca Chica is approximately five acres adjacent to mangrove wetlands, open water, and land managed by the Department of the Interior. The Truman Annex site contained two beach areas totaling approximately one acre. This site is adjacent Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. The beach is a potential nesting habitat for threatened and endangered sea turtles. The second project included initial control of Australian pine on Big Coppitt Key and Geiger Key. Big Coppitt Key is a filled, scarified area within the Key West NAS Fish and Wildlife Management Area MU-5. The site is approximately 0.65 acres and is adjacent to mangrove wetlands and open water. Geiger Key is a former “Hawk Missile Site” and comprises approximately 18 acres. The other part of this project involved maintenance control of earlier project areas, particularly areas that provide habitat for the Lower Keys marsh rabbit.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine I BB/CS/MC TRIE Colubrina asiatica lather leaf I FL GLY Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE Manilkara zapota sapodilla I BB/CS TRIE Scaevola sericea beach naupaka I BB/CS TRIE Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE

22 Key West Naval Air Station

The former missile site (left) and the Truman Annex (right) were two areas treated for invasive plants such as lead tree (below). Project areas are in green.

Girdled Australian pines.

23 Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area County: Monroe PCL Size: 1,809 acres Project ID: FK-058 3 acres $$11,137.54 Project ID: FK-063 47 acres $23,976.18 Site Manager: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Randy Grau P.O. Box 430541, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 Phone: 305-872-0022 E-mail: [email protected] The Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area is managed primarily for the conservation and protection of unique native habitats and threatened and endangered species. The first project area was on the southern shoreline of Ramrod Key and consisted of beach berm habitat surrounded by mangroves and salt marsh, and open water to the south. Australian pine, seaside mahoe, lather leaf, and Brazilian pepper infested the area along the southern shoreline. The second project consisted of maintenance control on two parcels treated in 2004. The Dove Creek Hammocks unit of the Florida Keys WEA is located at the southern end of Key Largo. The project area comprises five acres of hardwood hammock, sixteen acres of mangrove forest, one acre of salt marsh/buttonwood, nineteen acres of open water, and six acres of disturbed area. The Lake San Pedro Hammocks site consists of six acres of tropical hardwood hammock, one-half acre of salt marsh/ buttonwood, and nearly one acre of disturbed area. Exotics found on both parcels included lead tree, lather leaf, Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, seaside mahoe, beach naupaka, and other ornamental species.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine I CS TRIE Colocasia esculenta wild taro I CS TRIE Colubrina asiatica lather leaf I CS TRIE Manilkara zapota sapodilla I BB/CS TRIE Scaevola sericea beach naupaka I HP n/a Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe I CS TRIE Kalanchoe pinnata life plant II FL GLY Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II FL GLY

24 Monroe County Invasive Exotic Plant Control Technicians County: Monroe PCL (see below) PCL Size (see below) Project ID: FK-056 346 acres $29,684.89 Project ID: FK-061 5 acres $26,200.00 Project Manager: Monroe County Growth Management Division Beth Bergh, Monroe County Land Steward 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050-2227 Phone: 305-852-2511 E-mail: [email protected] Monroe County, as either the Board of County Commissioners or the Land Authority, owns scattered conservation lands throughout the Florida Keys. Natural communities within the Keys include tropical hardwood hammock, pine rocklands, freshwater wetlands, and mangrove swamp. These lands are home to a number of rare plants and animals, some of which occur nowhere else in the world. Rapidly expanding populations of Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and lather leaf infested the native habitats of these county lands. The first project targeted these three species and other invasive plants on county-owned parcels. Monroe County selected a total of 707 separate parcels on eight keys for control of non-native plants. Most individual parcels are only 0.1 acre in size, but many are contiguous and combine to form much larger management units. All properties are public lands that Monroe County manages for conservation of rare plant and animal species and for natural resource protection. A team of two plant control technicians funded by BIPM performed the work. Monroe County provided matching costs for herbicide, a vehicle, and crew equipment and supplies with a total value of $31,577. The second project targeted Australian pine on small county-owned parcels located on Key Largo and Plantation, Long, Duck, Grassy, Fat Deer, Big Pine, Little Torch, Ramrod, Cudjoe, and Sugarloaf Keys. This work was conducted by a private contractor. Monroe County provided matching costs for time and materials with a value of $10,650.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia lebbeck woman’s tongue I BB TRIE Bischofia javanica bischofia I BB TRIE Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine I CS TRIA Colubrina asiatica lather leaf I CS TRIA Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry I BB TRIE Lantana camara lantana I BB TRIE Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed I FL GLY Scaevola sericea beach naupaka I BB TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe I BB TRIE Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant I BB TRIE

25 Monroe County Invasive Exotic Plant Control Technicians Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Epipremnum pinnatum pothos II BB TRIE Hibiscus tiliaceus mahoe II BB TRIE Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE Panicum maximum guinea grass II FL GLY Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II FL GLY Wedelia trilobata wedelia II BB TRIE

Pine vs. “pine” — the native pine wins (with a little help). Australian pine (not really a pine species) is a common problem in Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys.

26 Florida Keys Refuges Invasive Exotic Plant Control Technicians County: Monroe PCL: various Project ID: FK-054 ,000 acres $94,946.95 Project Manager: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Randy Grau P.O. 541, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 Phone: 305-872-0022 E-mail: [email protected] Federal refuges in the Florida Keys include the Key Deer (9,368 acres), Great White Heron (192,788 acres), Key West (208,308 acres), and Crocodile Lake (6,688 acres) National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). The Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) includes 2,344 acres of land on Key Largo, Big Pine Key, No Name Key, the backcountry islands of the Great White Heron NWR, and several other keys in the Lower Florida Keys. Natural communities within the NWR/WEA include tropical hardwood hammock, pine rocklands, freshwater wetlands, and mangrove swamp. These lands are home to a number of rare plants and animals, five of which occur nowhere else in the world. Rapidly expanding populations of Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and lather leaf infest the native habitats of the NWR/WEA. This project targeted these three species and other invasive plants on Key Largo, Big Pine, No Name, Big and Little Torch, Summerland, Cudjoe, Sugarloaf, and Boca Chica Keys, and the backcountry islands of the Lower Keys. Public conservation lands extend throughout the Keys and include individual lots ranging from 5,000 square feet to parcels several hundred acres in size. These properties are owned by the United States of America, State of Florida, South Florida Water Management District, and Monroe County. All lands are publicly owned and managed by the NWR/WEA for conservation of rare plant and animal species, including the Key deer. A team of plant control technicians funded by BIPM performed the work. USFWS and FWCC provided matching costs for herbicide, vehicles, crew equipment, and mechanical equipment with a total value of $68,000.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine I BB TRIE Colubrina asiatica lather leaf I CS TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe I CS TRIE Scaevola sericea beach naupaka I CS TRIE Hibiscus tiliaceus mahoe II CS TRIE Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE

27 Mosquito Coast Working Group Projects

28 Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park County: Brevard PCL Size: 870 acres Project ID: MC-058 56 acres $105,000 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Ron Johns, Park Manager 9700 South A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951 Phone: 321-984-4853, Fax: 321-984-4854 E-mail: [email protected] Indian River Lagoon Preserve is situated on an Atlantic coast barrier island. Natural communities include maritime hammock, beach dune, and mangrove forest. This project targeted Brazilian pepper for removal from an abandoned citrus grove adjacent to Brevard County EEL lands and a previously treated mangrove area in the park. Brazilian pepper, carrotwood, papaya, and Pará grass infested the mostly dead grove. A minor fringe of exotics, primarily Australian pine and Brazilian pepper, surrounded the project area. A Brontosaurus mower removed the major pockets of Brazilian pepper from the site, as well as exotic trees along the fringe. Park staff provided follow-up herbicide treatment. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina spp. Australian pine I MC n/a Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood I MC n/a Ficus spp. fig tree I MC n/a Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I MC n/a Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II MC n/a Washingtonia robusta Washington fan palm II MC n/a Carica papaya papaya n/a MC n/a Citrus spp. grapefruit n/a MC n/a Tribulus cistoides Jamaican feverplant n/a MC n/a

A tangled wall of Brazilian pepper (above) provides little refuge for wildlife. Although immediately after removal of invasive plants a site can look quite desolate (right).

29 Pine Island Conservation Area County: Brevard PCL Size: 929 acres Project ID: MC-059 4.5 acres $92,707.50 Project Manager: Brevard County Parks & Recreation D. Scott Taylor, Ph.D., EEL Central Region Land Manager 5560 North US Highway 1, Melbourne, Florida 32940 Phone: 321-255-4466, Fax: 321-255-4499 E-mail: [email protected] The mesic pine flatwoods “island” for which this conservation land is historically named is regionally unique in that large areas grade directly into the Indian River Lagoon and other areas exhibit rapid transitions to isolated freshwater marshes and impounded estuarine marsh and mangrove forest habitats that fringe the Lagoon. Development activities on Pine Island during the 1960s in support of sand mining and mosquito control operations significantly altered the hydrologic regime and structural integrity of the expansive estuarine marsh system historically characterizing this property. Invasive exotic pest plants, primarily Brazilian pepper, exploited the conditions provided by these land disturbances. Phase 1 of this comprehensive invasive exotic plant removal project was completed on June 9, 2001. This first phase effectively treated 42 acres of Brazilian pepper from within approximately 100 acres of mesic pine flatwoods and fringing wetland habitats located in the northwest quadrant of the conservation site. Phase 2, which targeted 65 acres infested by approximately 35 acres of Brazilian pepper and 0.25 acres with melaleuca was completed in September 2002. Phase 3 continued the exotic species removal effort on 127 acres and was completed in May 2004. Phase 4 treated 170 acres in 2005. This project, the fifth and final phase of ongoing work, provided mechanical removal of Brazilian pepper from primarily hydric hammock and impounded freshwater marsh natural communities. Brazilian pepper occurred throughout the project area in varying degrees of coverage, with the majority of the site exhibiting dense coverage. Completion of this phase achieved the goal of initial treatment of invasive species on the entire 929-acre sanctuary. The Brevard County EEL Program provided $11,280 of in-kind matching funds for this final phase.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I MC n/a

30 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge County: Brevard PCL Size: 139,174 acres Project ID: MC-060 3.25 acres $40,125 Project Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ron Hight, Refuge Manager P.O. Box 6504, Titusville, Florida 32782 Phone: 321-861-0667, Fax: 321-861-1276 E-mail: [email protected] In the early 1960s, NASA began to acquire the land that is now John F. Kennedy Space Center. In 1963, the acquisition was complete and NASA turned those lands not vital to the space program over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Department of the Interior manages the 43-mile long barrier island as Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore. The Refuge is adjacent to the Indian River and Banana Rivers, and Mosquito Lagoon. About one- half of the refuge consists of brackish estuaries and marshes. The remaining land consists of coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forest, pine flatwoods, and palm and oak hammocks. Numerous rare plants and animals live on the refuge. These include seventeen state-endangered plants, such as satinleaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme), crested coralroot (Hexalectris spicata), Florida peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia), beach star (Remirea maritima), bay cedar (Suriana maritima), coastal hoary pea (Tephrosia angustissima), and sea lavender (Tournefortia gnaphalodes). Early homesteaders that occupied the land before it became a refuge likely introduced air-potato. Most of the air-potato infestations are associated with old homes, settlement sites, or roads. It is unknown how Old World climbing fern was introduced to the Refuge. Only two infested sites were found, one near a recreational facility and the other in an isolated wetland. This project controlled approximately 3 acres of air-potato and 0.25 acres of Old World climbing fern scattered over approximately 75,000 acres of wetland and upland habitats at various sites throughout the Refuge.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I CS TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+MET Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II CS TRIE

31 Micco Scrub Sanctuary County: Brevard PCL Size: 2,200 acres Project ID: MC-046 ,075 acres $128,000 Project ID: MC-062 475 acres $109,500 Project Manager: Brevard County Parks & Recreation Chris O’Hara, Assistant Land Manager (South Region) 5560 North US Highway 1, Melbourne, Florida 32940 Phone: 321-255-4466, Fax: 321-255-4499 E-mail: [email protected] Natural communities of the Micco Scrub Sanctuary include cypress strand, hydric hammock, and pine flatwoods. The first project was conducted at the site referred to as the M.E.P. property. Brazilian pepper comprised ninety-five percent of the scattered 269 acres of exotics, primarily located along established roads. The remaining five percent consisted of a mixture of cogon grass, Old World climbing fern, and Japanese climbing fern. The cogon grass was concentrated along the center access road, with the largest patch being 0.84 acres. The climbing ferns occurred in small areas throughout the parcel, although concentrated around wetter areas. Tropical soda apple also grew along the access roads, with a total coverage of less than one percent and higher concentrations on the west side of the property. The second project targeted 200 acres of exotics, also about ninety-five percent Brazilian pepper. The majority of the Brazilian pepper was located along canal banks and established roads. The other five percent of exotics consisted of a mixture of cogon grass, Old World climbing fern, and Japanese climbing fern. The cogon grass was concentrated along the site’s western road. The climbing ferns occurred in small areas along ditch banks and more heavily along the south side of the canal on the site’s northern border. Brevard County provided matching in-kind time and materials valued at $15,000.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Panicum repens torpedo grass I FL GLY+MET Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II BB/FL TRIE/GLY

32 Chain of Lakes Stormwater Park County: Brevard PCL Size: 62.4 acres Project ID: MC-063 34.8 acres $12,500 Project Manager: Brevard County Regional Stormwater Utility Department Michael L. Powers, P.E., Engineer III 2725 Judge Fran Jamison Way, Bld A, Viera, Florida 32940 Phone: 321-633-2014, Fax: 321-633-2168 E-mail: [email protected] The Chain of Lakes Stormwater Park (COL), located in the City of Titusville, is a cooperative effort of St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, Brevard Community College, City of Titusville, and Parrish Medical Center to provide stormwater treatment within a 1,160-acre watershed. Much of the watershed is developed and directly discharges stormwater into the Indian River Lagoon, an Outstanding Florida Water. The 270-acre COL includes 62.4 acres of public conservation land owned by the SJRWMD. The COL is part of the Florida Forever Indian River Lagoon Blueway Project. The project comprised restoration of a 14.2-acre estuarine marsh and treatment of 20.6 acres of mesic and hydric hammock. Mesic hammock, particularly bordering the Indian River Lagoon, is an endangered natural community due to the rapid rate of development within this coastal region. The marsh restoration site was a monoculture of Brazilian pepper, all of which the County mechanically removed and burned. The BIPM project targeted the remaining Brazilian pepper on 11.2 acres of mesic hammock and 9.4 acres of hydric hammock. Average coverage of Brazilian pepper was fifty percent.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

33 Grant Flatwoods Sanctuary County: Brevard PCL Size: 1,475 acres Project ID: MC-06 50 acres $114,106.20 Project Manager: Brevard County Environmental Endangered Land Program Chris O’Hara, Assistant Land Manager (South Region) 5560 North U.S. Highway 1, Melbourne, Florida 32940 Phone: 321-255-4466, Fax: 321-255-4499 E-mail: [email protected] Grant Flatwoods Sanctuary is located in southern Brevard County. Natural communities present include cypress strand, hydric hammock, and pine flatwoods. Brazilian pepper occurred along canal banks and established roads and comprised about ninety percent of the invasive species coverage. The remaining ten percent consisted of a mixture of cogon grass, Old World climbing fern, and Japanese climbing fern. Cogon grass was concentrated along the eastern access road on top of the canal bank. Climbing ferns occurred along the length of the eastern canal bank on the south side of the canal.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+MET Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

34 Canaveral National Seashore County: Brevard, Volusia PCL Size: 57,662 acres Project ID: MC-057 4,061 acres $150,000 Project ID: MC-065 625 acres $95,000 Project Manager: National Park Service John Stiner, Chief of Resource Management 308 Julia Street, Titusville, Florida 32796 Phone: 321-267-1110, Fax: 321-264-2906 E-mail: [email protected] The first project targeted the mainland (western) side of Canaveral National Seashore (CNS). Part of the tract is jointly managed with Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The entire area is bounded by Mosquito Lagoon on the east, Kennedy Parkway (SR3) on the west, Haulover Canal on the south, and the Gomez Grant fire line on the north. The project area consists of upland areas of oak scrub, pine flatwoods, and occasional subtropical hammocks. Brazilian pepper was scattered throughout, occurring primarily in formerly disturbed areas, with coverage from fifteen to sixty-five percent. The aggregate area of Brazilian pepper was estimated at 1,000 acres. The second project site is the Playalinda Beach area in the southeast corner of CNS. The site is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Park entrance road to the north, an area treated in 2005 to the west, and the Kennedy Space Center/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the south. Work consisted of maintenance control for an area initially treated in 2000. The eastern portion of the target area consists of undeveloped sandy beach with a single dune ridge eight to ten feet in height. Sea oats and low growing herbs cover the front of the ridge, while a dense stand of saw palmetto, buckthorn, Florida privet, and other woody shrubs blanket the back of the ridge. The western section of the tract comprises a ridge and swale system in which seasonal flooding, perennially wet marshes, and swamps predominate. Mangroves are common along the shoreline. Brazilian pepper occurred in slightly elevated areas adjacent to the wetlands. NPS provided matching funds for both project areas in the combined amount of $168,750. NPS is also working with DEP, St. Johns River Water Management District, and East Volusia Mosquito Control District to control exotic plants within and adjacent to Seashore boundaries. To date, approximately $900,000 has been spent through cooperative efforts to treat over three-quarters of the park.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina spp. Australian pine I BB/CS TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/HP TRIE

35 Pepper Sweep Maintenance County: Volusia Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve PCL Size: 2,017 acres Tomoka State Park PCL Size: 1,611.5 acres Project ID: MC-066 733.8 acres $72,481.55 Project Manager: East Volusia Mosquito Control District David Farr 801 South Street, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168 Phone: 386-424-2920, Fax: 386-424-2924 E-mail: [email protected] This project encompassed a county park and a state park that were the subject of initial control work under five reviousp “Pepper Sweeps” (2000-2005). Natural communities found on these conservation areas include coastal dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock, coastal strand, oak scrub, live oak hammock, mangrove swamp, and tidal marsh. BIPM paid $49,987.52 for control work conducted by the county on 212.8 acres. BIPM also provided over $20,000 in chemicals from its Herbicide Bank. Volusia County provided $4,000 in in-kind contributions of time and materials to this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I BB TRIE Lantana camara lantana I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle I BB TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE

Pepper Sweeps have been performed along the length of Volusia County’s coast.

36 Northeast Working Group Projects

37 Osceola National Forest County: Baker, Columbia PCL Size: 198,484 acres Project ID: NE-026 7 acres $25,250 Project Manager: US Forest Service (USDA) Cindy Thompson, Osceola Ranger District P.O. Box 70, Olustee, Florida 32072 Phone: 386-752-2577, x4511, Fax: 386-752-7437 E-mail: [email protected] The Osceola National Forest is comprised of typically low, poorly drained, mesic flatwoods interspersed with sandy ridges and depressional wetlands. The project area is adjacent to an older, low-density residential area known as Watertown. The project site lies adjacent to Forest Road 217, north of the Watertown Lake boat ramp, and in proximity to an old city dump that was in use approximately 20 to 30 years ago. Evidence suggests this is an old homestead site as well. The entire site is highly disturbed due to past activities of ditching, excavation, and land clearing. Historical plant communities, now highly altered, appear to have included mainly pine flatwoods and bay swamp. Skunk vine formed an estimated eighty percent coverage over approximately 3.5 acres and was easily visible from the road. The vines reached the tops of smaller pines inside the infested area, but did not extend to the pine/palmetto community next to a beaver pond. Other invasive species grew scattered throughout the site, with Chinaberry being the next most frequently occurring. With the exception of a few large trees, most were approximately four inches DBH or less.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Ardisia crenata coral ardisia I FL TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet I BB TRIE Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I PC TRIE Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY+MET Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Aleurites fordii tung oil tree II BB TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB TRIE

38 Osceola National Forest

Skunk vine joins kudzu and Japanese climbing fern as another viny exotic pest in north Florida. Research is underway to find a biological control agent for skunk vine.

39 Lake Rowell Tract County: Bradford PCL Size: 593 acres Project ID: NE-028 .5 acres $11,059.56 Project Manager: Suwannee River Water Management District Chris Benson 9225 CR 49, Live Oak, Florida 32060 Phone: 386-362-1001, Fax: 386-362-1056 E-mail: [email protected] The southeastern parcels of the Lake Rowell tract total nearly 550 acres. An approximately 25-acre area in the northeast corner of one of the parcels contained Chinaberry, climbing fern, and air-potato in high densities. Another 100 acres of parcels had scattered Chinaberry, camphor tree, and climbing fern. Prior to the 2004 hurricanes, the 25-acre project area was a solid Chinaberry forest with a few scattered native maples and elms. The hurricanes in August and September 2004 created tornadoes that swept through the project area and blew over the majority of the Chinaberry trees and blew down most of the air-potato and climbing fern. The remaining project area had scattered individuals or small pockets of exotic tree species and climbing fern. The project area is a floodplain forest community, common along lakeshores between the floodplain swamp and the adjacent upland communities. Alligator Creek runs along the north boundary of the project site into Lake Rowell. There is a berm between the project site and the creek; however, the District is studying the option of removing the berm and allowing the creek to flow back into the floodplain forest/swamp as it may have done years ago.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I CS TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+MET Lantana camara lantana I CS TRIE Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Melia azedarach Chinaberry II CS TRIE

40 Lake Rowell Tract

LAKE ROWELL - SRWMD N BRADFORD COUNTY, FLORIDA EXOCTIC SPECIES LOCATION MAP - JAPANESE CLIMBING FERN # 38 # # 27 # 40 # # # 15 # # # 1 # # 30 # # # # # # # # # 45 # # # # # 5 # 20 # # # # 35 # # # # # # # # 10# 25 #

# 405 # 410 # 402 # # # # # # 404 # # # 409# 414 # 48 # # 61 # 50 # # # # # 80 # 360 # # # # # # 65 # # 99 # 320 # # # # 100 # 241# 280 # # # 55 # # # # # # # # # # # # # 365 # # # # 117 # # # # # 70 # # # 245 # # 325 # # # 105 # # # 285 # # # # # 120 # # # # # # # # # # # 370 # # # # # # # # # # # 250 # # 330 # # 110 # # 205 # # 290 # # # # 125 # # # # # # # # 137 # # # # # 375 # # # # # # # # # # # 255 # # 335 # # # 140 # 210 # # 295 # # # 130 # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 380 # # 170 # # # # # # # # 215# 260 # # 340 # # # # # # 300 # # # 135 # 151 # # # # # # # # 136 # # # # # # # # 385 # # # 175 # # # # # # # 160 # # 220# 265 # # 345 # # 155 # # # # # 305 # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 390 # 164# 180 # # # # # LEGEND # # 225# 270 # # 350 # # # # # 310 # # # # # # # # JAPANESE CLIMBING FERN # # # # # # 395 # 185 # # # # # # HIGH POPULATION # # 230# 275 # # 355 # # # # 315 # # # MEDIUM POPULATION # # # # # # # 400 # LOW POPULATION # # 359# 401 # 235 # NO POPULATION Japanese climbing fern (above, top right) is found throughout north Florida and Georgia and into THE FORESTRY CO. JD WARREN 50 W. GREEN ST. 30 0 30 640 Feet PERRY, FL. 3347 Alabama. Its projected range is the entire southeastern (850) 584-8887 REVISED: 0/08/0 US. If you don’t have it yet ... :5840 REPRINTED: 04/05/04

41 Lake Rowell Tract

The Lake Rowell project site before (left) and after (right) the 2004 hurricanes.

42 Raiford Wildlife Management Area County: Bradford, Union PCL Size: 16,200 acres Project ID: NE-027 7 acres $2,000 Project Manager: Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Jeremy Dixon P.O. Box 177, Olustee, Florida 32072 Phone: 386-758-0531, Fax: 386-758-5799 E-mail: [email protected] Raiford WMA is owned by the Florida Department of Corrections and managed by PRIDE Forestry. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages fish and wildlife populations on the area. Natural communities in the project area include pine flatwoods, cypress swamp, hardwood swamp, and riparian areas. This project targeted Japanese climbing fern on four sites and mimosa on two sites. The FWC provided $3,092 in time and materials as an in-kind match. A separate two-acre area of climbing fern was treated by the Lygodium Strike Team.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria II BB TRIE

43 Jennings State Forest County: Clay, Duval PCL Size: 23,995 acres Project ID: NE-029 30 acres $15,070 Project Manager: Florida Division of Forestry (FDACS) Billy Wilbanks 1337 Long Horn Road, Middleburg, Florida 32068 Phone: 904-291-5530, Fax: 904-291-5537 E-mail: [email protected] Jennings State Forest is a large expanse of sandhill and pine flatwoods that contains rare and endangered plants such as Bartram’s ixia. The control areas were the Clay Hill, Longbranch, and Old Jennings tracts of the Forest. The treatment sites were mainly located along roadsides, except for the Longbranch tract, which is an old borrow pit that had a mixture of climbing fern, tallow, and mimosa. Torpedo grass occurred on approximately twenty-nine acres with coverage ranging from ten to seventy percent on seventeen sites. Japanese climbing fern was found on four sites totaling approximately one acre with an average coverage of fifty percent. Mimosa and tallow were lightly scattered over an area of less than one acre. This project included an initial fall treatment and a spring re-treatment.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY Panicum repens torpedo grass I FL GLY Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE

44 Panhandle Working Group Projects

45 St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge County: Jefferson, Taylor PCL Size: 67,562 acres Project ID: PH-050 478 acres $7,183.34 Project Manager: US Fish and Wildlife Service Michael Keys P. O. Box 68, St. Marks, Florida 32355 Phone: 850-925-6121, Fax: 850-925-6930 E-mail: [email protected] St. Marks is the largest National Wildlife Refuge owned by the Fish and Wildlife Service in Florida. Natural areas include estuarine tidal marsh, coastal hammock, mesic flatwoods, hydric hammock, wet flatwoods, bottomland forest, blackwater stream, and dome swamp. The refuge has extensive artificial impoundments that are managed for waterfowl, but are used by many other bird species as well. Godfrey’s spiderlily, nightflowering petunia, corkwood, and the flatwoods salamander occur within the treatment area. A rare spiderwort (Hymenocallis godfreyi) grows adjacent to the seaward edge of the high marsh. This project involved maintenance control of exotics on four sites with exotics coverage ranging from five to twenty percent, as well as a one-acre site with twenty-five percent coverage of cogon grass. Cogon grass occurred along levee, road, field, and woodland edges in a transition zone between coastal slash pine flatwoods, hydric hardwood hammock, and Juncus-dominated saltmarsh. Reduction in total biomass of cogon grass since 1998 equals eighty to ninety percent. The remaining patches are sparse and isolated, but persistent. The plants treated were primarily scattered re-growth. The BIPM Herbicide Bank provided chemicals for additional maintenance control work on the Refuge. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Lantana camara lantana I FL GLY+IMZ

A project area map with GPS waypoint. This portion of the Refuge is surrounded by a state park.

46 San Luis Park County: Leon

TO - (f-la) (few 16") PCL Size: 68.6 acres CT - (O) CC - (O) (few 30") P - (f-lva) Lj - (f-la) A - (f-la) Project ID: PH-046 61 acres $78,686 N - (f-la) WJ - (o-la) HH - (la) Project Manager: City of Tallahassee Chuck Goodheart, Parks and Recreation Department Zone 1 25 Acres 912 Myers Park Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Phone: 850-933-6631, Fax: 850-891-0959 Restroom, storage, shelter

P - (lva) E-mail: [email protected] CT - (f) Ca - (la) Lj - (f) CC - (o) TO - (o)

Lj - (f-la) Controlling invasive species is an addition to the regular A - (f-la) N - (f-la) WJ - (o-la) Zone 3 HH - (la) management activities usually conducted at San Luis 6 Acres Park. This proposal began an effort to continue invasive plant management as part of developing a management plan for the park. Chinaberry, ardisia, taro, privet, A - (o) N - (o) Lj - (o-la) nandina, tung oil tree, silverthorn, and Chinese wisteria P - (la) TO - (o) CC - (o) occurred on the site. Staff, neighbors, and prison release crews concentrated on removing invasives from a Zone 2 wetland area adjacent to the park pond. This area was 30 Acres re-treated as part of the control project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Ardisia crenata coral ardisia I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Colocasia esculenta wild taro I FL GLY+MET Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+MET Lantana camara lantana I BB TRIE Ligustrum lucidum glossy privet I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Pueraria montana kudzu I FL TRIA Tradescantia fluminensis wandering Jew I FL GLY/TRIA Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Aleurites fordii tung oil tree II BB TRIE Elaeagnus pungens silverthorn II BB TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB TRIE Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria II BB TRIE Hedera helix English ivy n/a FL TRIA

47 Governors Park County: Leon PCL Size: 214 acres Project ID: PH-05 51 acres $121,958 Project Manager: City of Tallahassee Chuck Goodheart, Parks and Recreation Department 912 Myers Park Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Phone: 850-933-6631, Fax: 850-891-0959 E-mail: [email protected] Governors Park was acquired with funds provided by the Florida Communities Trust. Chinaberry, ardisia, kudzu, privet, nandina, tung oil tree, silverthorn, and Chinese wisteria occurred on the site. Grazing by sheep had been the major control method used to reduce large areas of kudzu and associated species. The City of Tallahassee provided an in-kind contribution of $812 in time and materials for this project. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Ardisia crenata coral ardisia I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Colocasia esculenta wild taro I FL GLY+IMZ Lantana camara lantana I BB TRIE Ligustrum lucidum glossy privet I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+IMZ Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo I BB/FL TRIE/TRIA Pueraria montana kudzu I FL GLY+MET/TRIA Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Aleurites fordii tung oil tree II BB TRIE Elaeagnus pungens silverthorn II BB TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB TRIE Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria II BB/FL TRIE/GLY Hedera helix English ivy n/a BB TRIE

48 Elinor Klapp Phipps Park County: Leon PCL Size: 678 acres Project ID: PH-048 350 acres $49,000 Project Manager: Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) John T. Valenta, Associate Lands Manager 4765 Pelt Street, Marianna, Florida 32446 Phone: 850-482-9522, Fax: 850-482-1376 E-mail: [email protected] Elinor Klapp Phipps Park is located within the Tallahassee city limits in the Red Hills region. The terrain is gently rolling hills that are bisected by streams forming eroded ravines. NWFWMD owns the western section, which is 516 acres, and the City of Tallahassee owns the eastern 162 acres. The western section of the park is on Lake Jackson with a shoreline nearly one mile long. The shoreline changes constantly depending on the level of the lake and can fluctuate from season to season. Three threatened plant species occur in the eastern section of the park where coral ardisia was heavily concentrated. Natural communities in the park include upland mixed forest, upland hardwood forest, upland pine forest, slope forest, and a disturbed basin marsh. The project area lay downstream from the Lake Victoria dam and included the outlet of the lake, which is where most of the Chinese tallow grew. Upstream from Lake Victoria is the drainage basin for the lake where coral ardisia, Chinese privet, and nandina occurred. The exposed slopes within the western slope forest contained an abundance of Japanese honeysuckle and Chinaberry. Just north of the slope forest under a dense forest canopy is a section of tung oil trees that have been treated several times but needed re-treatment. Chinese wisteria grew along the northwestern road and was not treated in the past. The NWFWMD provided an in-kind contribution of $9,293.28 in time and materials for this project. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Ardisia crenata coral ardisia I BB TRIE Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Ligustrum lucidum glossy privet I BB TRIE Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet I BB TRIE Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle I FL GLY Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo I BB TRIE Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Aleurites fordii tung oil tree II BB TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB TRIE Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria II FL GLY Liriope muscari big blue lilyturf n/a FL GLY

49 Eglin Air Force Base County: Okaloosa, Walton PCL Size: 463,448 acres Project ID: PH-031 50 acres $2,299.80 Project ID: PH-045 3 acres $10,445.00 Project Manager: Eglin AFB Natural Resources Dennis D. Teague, Endangered Species Biologist Jackson Guard, 107 Hwy 85 N, Niceville, Florida 32578 Phone: 850-883-1155, Fax: 850-882-5321 Chinaberry in its fall foliage stands out among the E-mail: [email protected] native evergreens. Eglin Air Force Base is the largest forested military reservation in the United States. In addition to a large expanse of sandhill, there are 34 other natural communities present, including the most significant array of steephead seepage streams under a single ownership in Florida. There is a suite of rare and sensitive plants in this area that benefit from removal of invasive exotic species, including 67 rare plants and 36 federally or state listed animal species. Wolverine By-Pass Area is located in Okaloosa County. This area is a sandhill that slopes down to a beaver pond. The beaver pond was formed from a dam constructed above a culvert that passes under Wolverine By-Pass. The primary target species were Chinaberry and wisteria. The three-acre site had a moderate infestation of invasive species with several larger Chinaberry trees and scattered Chinese tallow, Japanese honeysuckle, and mimosa. The USAF provided matching funds of $5,000 plus an in-kind match of herbicide and equipment. The BIPM Herbicide Bank provided chemicals for maintenance control on an additional 50 acres of the base. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+MET Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet I BB TRIE Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle I FL GLY+MET Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo I BB TRIE Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Aleurites fordii tung oil tree II BB TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB TRIE Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria II BB TRIE

Chinaberry, dead and with no foliage, stands out among the native evergreens.

50 Point Washington State Forest County: Walton PCL Size: 15,249 acres Project ID: PH-047 00 acres $14,752 Project Manager: Florida Division of Forestry (DACS) Daniel Young, Forester 5865 East U.S. Highway 98, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 Phone: 850-231-5800, Fax: 850-231-0021 E-mail: [email protected] The project area can best be described as part of the sandhills community; however, the site has been heavily disturbed due to its location, and management efforts have been minimal. The site is located on the southern bank of the Intracoastal Waterway, through which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers holds a dredging right-of-way. This allows the Corps to dump dredged spoil from the Waterway onto the property when necessary. There were approximately ten widely scattered infestations totaling 12 to 15 acres. Infestations varied in size from less than one-tenth of an acre to over two acres. The linear length of infestation extended approximately 1.6 miles along the southern portion of the spoil bank. Cogon grass infested approximately twenty percent of the southern portion of the spoil bank. The Division of Forestry provided $3,000 in matching funds, through the Forest Health Section Invasive Plant Budget.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY

51 Southeast Working Group Projects

52 Fern Forest Nature Center County: Broward PCL Size: 243.44 acres Project ID: SE-086 68 acres $150,000 Project Manager: Broward County Carol Morgenstern, Natural Areas Supervisor 1000 NW 38 Street, Oakland Park, Florida 33309 Phone: 954-357-8124, Fax: 954-537-2865 E-mail: [email protected] The county acquired Fern Forest, originally known as Cypress Creek, in 1978 with funds from a $73 million county parks bond issue. Fern Forest contains cypress swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, wetlands, and prairies; making it one of the most ecologically unique and valuable natural sites in south Florida. Fern Forest consists of the historic flow- way of Cypress Creek, and surrounding associated communities. The site contains 28 listed species and 34 species of ferns. Fern Forest Nature Center operates as a passive recreational facility, as well as offering a wide variety of nature programs and special events for groups from school-aged children to adults. Annually, the park averages 134,000 visitors—5,000 of which are environmental students— and hosts an average of 14 special events; making it one of the most visited natural areas in Broward County. The western boundary of the site is an area of tropical hardwood hammock that serves as a buffer between the historic Cypress Creek bed and the urban area (see above). This buffer protects the interior portions of the site where most of the fern species and listed species are found. This area, although retaining its native characteristics, had become increasingly infested with exotic plant species. Although bischofia, Brazilian pepper, and other exotics were invading the area, air-potato was the main invader into the area. The focus of this project was to treat all invasive exotic species during the time of year when the air-potato is in a dormant stage. Follow-up treatment was performed by Broward County to remove all air-potato bulbils, once the area had been opened up by the removal of other exotic species. Broward County provided a $150,000 match of in-kind cost and materials for this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Acacia auriculiformis earleaf acacia I BB TRIE Bischofia javanica bishopwood I BB TRIE Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood I BB TRIE Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry I BB TRIE Psidium guajava guava I BB TRIE Schefflera actinophylla Queensland umbrella tree I BB TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Syzygium cumini Java plum I BB TRIE Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II BB TRIE

53 Fern Forest Nature Center

Three areas in Fern Forest display the difference between before (left) and after treatment.

54 Hugh Taylor Birch State Park County: Broward PCL Size: 175.24 acres Project ID: SE-10 8.2 acres $96,008 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Jim Gibson, Park Manager 3109 East Sunrise Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33304 Phone: 954-468-2791, Fax: 954-762-3737 E-mail: [email protected] Hugh Taylor Birch State Park completed two major mitigation projects that affected almost 55 acres of the park. Goals of these projects included removal of invasive plants and replanting native vegetation. Rare hammock species that exist in the park include Simpson’s stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans), mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), and leathery prickly ash (Zanthoxylum coriaceum). Golden leather fern (Acrostichum aureum) occurs in areas threatened by invasives. A sandy open area in the park also contains the federally listed beach jacquemontia (Jacquemontia reclinata). This control project involved mechanical removal of Australian pine in the area designated as the Intracoastal Picnic Area (above photo). The area comprises 3.2 acres of land and had approximately 250 mature Australian pine trees. The BIPM Herbicide Bank also provided $2,478 of chemicals for the initial treatment by park staff of other exotic species on 15 acres of the park.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina spp. Australian pine I MC n/a

Australian pines along a roadway are a hazard waiting to happen—waiting for the next hurricane.

55 Dolphin Center Scrub Preserve County: Miami-Dade PCL Size: 7 acres Project ID: SE-093 7 acres $80,500 Project Manager: Sarah Bentley, Manager Resource Development Section Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department 275 NW 2nd Street, Miami, Florida 33128 Phone: 305-755-7947, Fax: 305-755-5466 E-mail: [email protected] The scrub habitat at Dolphin Center Scrub Preserve represents one of the last of its kind remaining in Miami-Dade County, as well as one of the southernmost remnants of scrub habitat in southeast Florida. Only nineteen acres of remaining scrub habitat in the county are in public ownership. Seven plant species on the site are state or federally listed as endangered, threatened, or commercially exploited. Two of these species are listed by FNAI as very rare: largeflower false rosemary (Conradina grandiflora), and Bahama ladder brake (Pteris bahamensis). The site contained varying densities of invasive plants, with exotics-dominated pockets throughout, including areas of dense Australian pine or umbrella tree. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I BB TRIE Acacia auriculiformis earleaf acacia I BB TRIE Albizia lebbeck woman’s tongue I BB TRIE Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia I BB TRIE Casuarina spp. Australian pine I BB TRIE Psidium guajava guava I BB TRIE Schefflera actinophylla Queensland umbrella tree I BB TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Melinis repens Natal grass II FL GLY Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II CS TRIE Melinis minutiflora molasses grass n/a FL GLY

56 Model Lands Basin County: Miami-Dade PCL Size: 13,463 acres Project ID: SE-094 84 acres $50,000 Project Manager: Miami-Dade County EEL Gwen Burzycki, Environmental Resource Project Supervisor 33 SW 2nd Avenue, Suite 400, Miami, Florida 33130 Phone: 305-372-6569, Fax: 305-372-6479 E-mail: [email protected] The Model Lands Basin/South Dade Wetlands Acquisition Project consists of approximately 48,000 acres of mixed forested transitional wetlands, freshwater marshes, and coastal wetlands that connect Everglades National Park and the Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area with Biscayne National Park. This project used crews from the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department Natural Areas Management Division to perform maintenance control in the moderately infested portion of Site 10. The county provided $100,000 in matching funds for this project. Site 10 is the northern 320-acre parcel in a tract that totals 480 acres. This tract received BIPM funding for initial control in FY05. The project site is composed of a mixture of sawgrass prairie, bayhead tree islands, and forested transitional wetlands. Shoebutton ardisia was the dominant invasive species on the site, with an infestation that ranged widely from non-existent in the eastern sawgrass wetlands to nearly one hundred percent in the understory on the western side of the unit. Approximately 150 acres, or forty-five percent of the site, had moderate to heavy densities of this invasive plant. Other invasive species included Brazilian pepper scattered in the canopy of the forested wetlands, Australian pine in scattered clumps in the sawgrass marsh, and Burma reed along the western bounding roadway. Approximately twenty percent of the Model Lands was once farmed. These former agricultural areas are often where exotic vegetation now dominates. There is very little farming now occurring within the South Dade Wetlands project area. Obvious disturbances in the area include roads, canals, and levees. These roadways and levees often support a mixture of exotic and native upland and transitional species. Native species include locustberry (Byrsonima lucida), myrsine (Rapania punctata), wild sage (Lantana involucrata), and poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), a food source for the threatened white-crowned pigeon. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia I CS TRIA Casuarina spp. Australian pine I CS TRIA Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I CS TRIA Senna pendula climbing cassia I CS TRIA Eupatorium spp. goat’s beard n/a CS TRIA

57 Model Lands Basin

The area to the right of the green line has been treated, while the area to the left has not. Notice a difference?

58 Matheson Hammock Park County: Miami-Dade PCL Size: 630 acres Project ID: SE-096 9.7 acres $50,000 Project Manager: Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department Jane G. Dozier, Environmental Resource Project Supervisor 22200 SW 137 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33170 Phone: 305-257-0933 x243, Fax: 305-257-1086 E-mail: [email protected] Matheson Hammock Park contains 65 acres of tropical hardwood hammock and transitional oak hammock, as well as 329 acres of marsh, mangrove, and shallow water marine communities. The vegetation consists of a mix of native tropical, temperate, and transitional/pineland plant species. These “islands” are a refuge to many plant species of note, including least halberd fern (Tectaria fimbriata), brittle maidenhair fern (Adiantum tenerum), and redberry stopper (Eugena confusa). Maintenance control was conducted on two areas within Matheson Hammock Park. The two areas received previous BIPM grants and were located in the western portion of the park historically called “Matheson Nursery.” The first project area was a 10-acre oak hammock known as “Matheson West.” The second project area encompassed two 4-acre tree islands and the 1.7-acre intermediate ecotone. The most problematic invasive exotic plants included sewer vine, Queensland umbrella tree, and shoebutton ardisia. Miami-Dade Natural Areas Management personnel conducted all control treatments for this project. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I CS TRIE Albizia lebbeck woman’s tongue I CS TRIE Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia I CS TRIE Bauhinia variegata orchid tree I CS TRIE Bischofia javanica bishopwood I CS TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I CS TRIE Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry I CS TRIE Jasminum dichotomum Gold Coast jasmine I CS TRIE Jasminum fluminense Brazilian jasmine I CS TRIE Manilkara zapota sapodilla I CS TRIE Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed I CS TRIE Paederia cruddasiana sewer vine I CS TRIE Schefflera actinophylla umbrella tree I CS TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I CS TRIE Tradescantia fluminensis wandering Jew I CS TRIE Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant I CS TRIE Adenanthera pavonina red sandalwood II CS TRIE Epipremnum pinnatum pothos II CS TRIE Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE Ptychosperma elegans solitary palm II CS TRIE Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II CS TRIE Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine II CS TRIE Terminalia catappa tropical almond II CS TRIE Alpinia speciosa shell ginger n/a CS TRIE Carica papaya papaya n/a CS TRIE Carissa macrocarpa Natal plum n/a CS TRIE Mangifera indica mango n/a CS TRIE Premna odorata fragrant premna n/a CS TRIE

59 Everglades and Big Cypress Everglades National Park County: Collier, Miami-Dade, Monroe PCL Size: 1,507,850 acres Big Cypress National Preserve County: Collier, Miami-Dade PCL Size: 729,000 acres Project ID: SE-09 ,018.35 acres $196,413.98 Project Manager: National Park Service Jonathan Taylor, Everglades National Park 40001 SR 9336, Homestead, Florida 33034 Phone: 305-242-7876, Fax: 305-242-7836 E-mail: [email protected] Old World climbing fern (lygodium) is colonizing the scrub habitat in the coastal marsh communities of Everglades National Park (ENP) from Cape Sable to Everglades City. Lygodium displaces native plants and alters fire behavior, its draping fronds acting as a “fire ladder” that carries ground fires into the canopy. Since 1999, there have been aggressive efforts by NPS to treat this plant. For areas affected by lygodium, aerial spray application is the best management practice. Hardwood hammocks or heavily infested areas receive priority treatment. This activity is now an annual treatment. During FY 2006, a total of 1,860 acres received treatment at a cost of $149,913. During FY 2005, Big Cypress National Preserve (BNP) completed treatment of all known lygodium infestations (approximately 30 acres) north of I-75. Pinelands and scattered cypress domes dominate the affected area, although farming and cattle grazing were common past practices. The Seminole Indian Reservation to the north and the remainder of BNP to the South bracket the project area. During treatments, additional infested areas were found and more areas with lygodium are being discovered regularly. The newly found infestations occurred mostly in the northeastern part of the Preserve. These infestations are not apparent in aerial reconnaissance surveys as they are usually small areas beneath the canopy, and contain low numbers of lygodium stems. During FY 2006, 158.35 acres received treatment at a cost of $46,500.98. ENP and BNP contributed at least $25,000 as in-kind matching funds.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL MET

60 Everglades and Big Cypress

Map 1. Areas within ENP boundary (blue line) affected Map 2. Areas (in blue) previously treated for lygodium. by lygodium (green lines).

An area where lygodium has been treated shows as a mat of dead brown vegetation. Any plants under the lygodium were likely already dead.

61 Big Cypress National Preserve County: Collier, Miami-Dade PCL Size: 729,000 acres Project ID: SE-113 358 acres $67,470 Project Manager: National Park Service James N. Burch, PhD. HCR 61 Box 10, Ochopee, Florida 34139 Phone: 941-695-1111, Fax: 941-695-3493 E-mail: [email protected] Areas in Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) that supported agriculture prior to becoming conservation lands present a difficult challenge for invasive plant management. Such areas in the “Addition Lands” were typically farmed or grazed, then subsequently abandoned. The disturbed soil and/or altered hydrology that accompanied agricultural activities provided excellent conditions for exotic invasive plants to establish and later dominate natural succession by out-competing native species. NPS identified six sites in the Addition Lands management unit for control of Brazilian pepper. These sites, ranging in size from 18-106 acres, represented some of the most severely infested areas in BCNP. All sites were monocultures, or dense (>50% cover) infestations of Brazilian pepper mixed with other undesirable vegetation. Using ground crews to treat heavily infested areas is labor intensive and costly. The cost to treat dense infestations of Brazilian pepper by hand can exceed $4,000 per acre. A cost-effective alternative is aerial treatment, when a helicopter equipped with a boom sprayer is used to apply herbicide to a large area in a short time. Aerial treatment can reduce average costs to as little as $125 per acre. Infestations as small as 0.25 acres or as large as 500 acres can be treated using this method. Aerial treatment, however, is indiscriminate and cannot be used when largely intact native communities or endangered species are present.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I AR MET

62 Pal-Mar Natural Area County: Palm Beach PCL Size: 7,343 acres Project ID: SE-087 519 acres $200,000 Figure 1. PalMar Natural Area Project ID: SE-090 372 acres $200,000 Exotic Removal Efforts

Pal-Mar roads 2003-04 FY Initial Exotic Treatment ~ 913 acres Project Manager: Palm Beach County 2004-05 FY Initial Exotic Treatments ~ 496 acres 2005-06 FY DEP-BIPM -Southern Flatwoods ~ 519 acres 2005-06 FY DEP-BIPM Proposal - Western Fringe ~372 acres Kraig Krum Natural Area Boundary 3323 Belvedere Road, B-502, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406

0 0.5 1 2 3 4 Phone: 561-233-2527, Fax: 561-233-2414 Miles E-mail: [email protected] Pal-Mar Natural Area, managed by Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), is located in northern Palm Beach County. Pal-Mar is an integral property for the greenways between Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area, J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Hungryland Slough Natural Area, Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area, and the City of West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area. The first project provided treatment for exotic plant species in the southern flatwoods portion of the Pal-Mar Natural Area. The second project targeted the western flatwoods portion of the Pal-Mar Natural Area. Palm Beach County contributed matching funds of $37,995.06 toward the two projects. Pal-Mar Natural Area is an upland/wetland mosaic. Water flows through Pal-Mar and eventually drains into Florida’s only federally listed Wild and Scenic River—the Loxahatchee River. The project site is predominantly mesic and hydric pine flatwoods and freshwater marshes interspersed with large areas of wet prairies and small tree islands. Old world climbing fern was scattered randomly throughout the flatwoods and tree islands on the site. Melaleuca occurred predominately in disturbed areas of hydric flatwoods and wet prairies. Brazilian pepper was present mainly along the perimeter of the site near disturbed areas.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE+IMZ

63 Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area County: Palm Beach PCL Size: 11,000 acres Project ID: SE-088 415 acres $161,827.60 Project ID: SE-089 385 acres $176,000.00 Project Manager: Palm Beach County Mark Romagosa 3323 Belvedere Road, B-502, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 Phone: 561-233-2481, Fax: 561-233-2414 E-mail: [email protected] Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area, managed by Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management, is located in northern Palm Beach County. The site is an integral property for the greenways between Jonathan Dickinson State Park, J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, and the City of West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area. The uplands are predominately composed of mesic and hydric pine flatwoods. Many depression marshes, sloughs, and cypress dome swamps are scattered throughout the site. Water flows under the Beeline Highway, through the Loxahatchee Slough, and eventually drains into the Florida’s only federally listed Wild and Scenic River—the Loxahatchee River. Records of listed rare or endangered species at Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area include at least three reptile, nine bird, and twenty-eight plant species. The project sites were in the west and west-central portions of the Lucky Tract (see maps next page). Melaleuca and Old World climbing fern occurred throughout the project area in every community type, sometimes in near monocultures. Brazilian pepper and Australian pine were present mainly along the north, west, and south perimeters of the project sites, where disturbances occurred in the past. The downy rose-myrtle was lightly scattered throughout the uplands. Palm Beach County contributed matching funds of $125,000 toward the two projects.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Acacia auriculiformis earleaf acacia I BB/CS TRIE/IMZ Casuarina spp. Australian pine I BB/CS TRIE Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I PC GLY+MET Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS IMZ Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle I BB/CS TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE

64 Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area

65 J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area County: Palm Beach PCL Size: 60,228 acres Project ID: SE-091 55,663 acres $948,922.40 Project Manager: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission James R. Schuette, Biological Administrator I 8535 Northlake Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33412 Phone: 561-624-6989, Fax: 561-624-6988 E-mail: [email protected] The J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area is located in northwestern Palm Beach County and borders the John and Susan H. Dupuis Wildlife and Environmental Area and the John C. and Mariana Jones Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area. Natural communities are primarily mesic and wet flatwoods interspersed with depression marshes and wet prairies. Old World climbing fern (“lygodium”) coverage was estimated at ten to thirty percent over cypress, sawgrass, and some deciduous trees and shrubs. Lygodium has been treated both aerially and from the ground over the past 5 years. This project provided for initial control of lygodium on 44,053 acres and maintenance control on 11,610 acres in the WMA. FWC provided matching funds of $204,400 for this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY

The open wet prairies of Corbett WMA (top) are one place where you don’t find lygodium (yet). It is hard to miss clinging to pine trees (left), but it starts first on the ground where it is less easy to detect. Here the fern has been caught in the understory (right, center of picture) before it began its tree climbing.

66 J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area

A tractor outfitted with a tank and sprayer for large volume foliar A “poodle cut” lygodium treatment. applications. The tank can also be used to fill backpack sprayers for field crews.

Old World climbing fern, public land managers’ enemy #1.

A “swamp buggy” fills in when it’s too wet for a truck but too dry for an airboat.

67 Pond Cypress Natural Area

County: Palm Beach Section 1 PCL Size: 1,538 acres Project ID: SE-095 ,350 acres $50,000 Project Manager: Palm Beach County Ryan Merritt, Environmental Resources Management 3323 Belvedere Road, B-502, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 Phone: (561) 233-2521

E-mail: [email protected] FPL Powerline Easement The Pond Cypress Natural Area (PCNA) consists of a mosaic of high quality mesic and wet pine flatwoods, wetlands, and other native vegetative communities. There are twenty-nine rare or Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management Palm Beach County Legend Owned/Managed Natural Areas 0750 1,500 3,000 Pond Cypress Boundary Feet

endangered plant species recorded at PCNA. These include five August 2004 Pond Cypress orchids, seven ferns, and four air plants (Tillandsia spp.). PCNA is the western edge of the historic Loxahatchee Slough drainage basin. The project area is north of the FPL powerline easement that runs east to west through the property. This portion of PCNA consists mostly of pine flatwoods, with monocultures of melaleuca occurring in the sloughs, depression marshes, and cypress wetlands. Australian pine is limited to the northern portion of the site adjacent to the M-Canal. Old World climbing fern and Brazilian pepper are limited to very light infestations (scattered individuals) along the east, west, and north property lines. Through previous BIPM funding, ground crews began treatment of invasive exotic vegetation at PCNA in November 2000, and work is continuing today. The entire PCNA was most recently treated for exotic plant species in 2004. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina spp. Australian pine I BB/CS TRIE+IMZ Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE+IMZ

68 A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge County: Palm Beach PCL Size: 145,787 acres Project ID: SE-097 5,000 acres $177,500.00 Project ID: SE-100 0,000 acres $356,804.38 Project Manager: U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service Bill Miller 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, Florida 33437 Phone: 561-732-3684, Fax: 561-369-7190 E-mail: [email protected] BIPM contracted for two projects in the central and southern interior of Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), also known as Water Conservation Area 1. The Refuge encompasses four main habitat types: sawgrass marsh, tree islands, wet prairie, and freshwater slough. Scattered cypress domes also occur throughout the marsh interior. Hydrological changes associated with human activities, particularly drainage, have led to invasion of this area by invasive exotic plants such as melaleuca and Old World climbing fern. Together, these two species affect nearly seventy percent of the Refuge, or over 100,000 acres. The projects involved two phases of melaleuca control on the Refuge, initial treatment, and re- treatment or maintenance control. The area delineated for re-treatment encompassed 15,000 acres in the southern interior. FWS contractors initially treated all exotics in this area in FY02. The majority of melaleuca re-treatments were conducted in previously treated heads comprising less than twenty percent of the total delineated area. Approximately 4,000 acres of the total unit area had light melaleuca densities. The initial treatment project targeted 10,000 acres in the central portion of the Refuge. This unit fills in the gap between other previously treated sites and another area under contract for initial treatment. The central 7,000 acres of this area had light to moderate infestation, and included some dense heads of melaleuca. The eastern 3,000 acres was heavily covered with melaleuca.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS GLY+IMZ Casuarina spp. Australian pine I CS GLY+IMZ

69 Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Melaleuca is being removed in a systematic fashion (map, previous page) from the Refuge. In the near future, the only melaleuca trees in the Refuge will be dead ones like these pictured above. As a positive example, all of Everglades National Park has been treated for melaleuca and the park is now under maintenance control.

70 Southwest Working Group Projects

71 Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge County: Collier PCL Size: 26,529 acres Project ID: SW-07 30 acres $63,800 Project Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Takako Hashimoto 13233 State Road 29 S, Immokalee, Florida 34142 Phone: 239-353-8442 x225 Email: [email protected] The project area included Panther Hammock, a 147-acre tropical hardwood hammock. This rare natural community contains many native tropical plant species occurring at the northern extreme of their range. Panther Hammock lies within Fire Management Unit 25 (above right), which also contains 207 acres of pine flatwoods, 65 acres of wet prairie, and 8 acres of mixed swamp. This area was used extensively for agriculture, livestock grazing, and timber harvesting before the Refuge was established. Brazilian pepper encircled the hammock in a dense hedge and penetrated into the interior as well (bottom left). Pepper trees grew especially dense along Ridge Road, the main access to Panther Hammock. Brazilian pepper was treated and left in place (bottom right).

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I CS TRIE

72 Picayune Strand State Forest County: Collier PCL Size: 65,436 acres Project ID: SW-08 ,325 acres $294,969.13 Project Manager: Division of Forestry (FDACS) Amanda Peck 2121 52nd Ave SE, Naples, Florida 34117 Phone: 239-348-7557, Fax: 239-348-7559 Email: [email protected] Picayune Strand State Forest is comprised of two adjacent tracts, South Golden Gate Estates to the east and Belle Meade to the west. The forest is bordered to the east by Fakahatchee State Preserve and to the south by Collier- Seminole State Park and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The forest encompasses a wide variety of habitats, including cypress sloughs, pine flatwoods, hammocks, and grass prairies. The project area was approximately 1,230 acres in the southeast Belle Meade tract in an area of dense melaleuca monoculture (≥50-75% coverage of mature trees, saplings, and seedlings). This area is primarily pine flatwoods, with moderate remaining native overstory. Native ground cover had decreased due to shading and competition of resources with melaleuca and other invasive plants. Approximately 3,400 acres in Belle Meade were previously treated by cutting stumps, foliar spray, and pulling melaleuca by hand. This project consisted of contact labor on 463.5 acres for a cost of $125,722.13, and maintenance control on 1,861.5 acres with $169,247 in chemicals provided by the BIPM Herbicide Bank.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS GLY+IMZ

The mission: Kill Melaleuca.

73 Picayune Strand State Forest

A close-up of the project area map.

Dead melaleuca today means ...... a healthy forest tomorrow.

74 Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve County: Collier PCL Size: 110,559 acres Project ID: SW-083 90 acres $50,000 Project ID: SW-086 70 acres $16,000 Project Manager: Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (DEP) Pamela Keyes, Resource Management Specialist 300 Tower Road, Naples, Florida 34113 Phone: 239-417-6310, Fax: 239-417-6315 Email: [email protected] Rookery Bay NERR is located 10 miles southeast of Naples, Florida. The NERR has a northern boundary at Gordon Pass and a southern boundary at Camp LuLu Key in the Ten Thousand Islands. Rare and endangered species occurring in the Ten Thousand Islands area include barbed wire cactus, satinleaf, wild cotton, bay cedar, common wild pine, and giant wild pine. The first project site was located along the Faka-Union Canal north of the Ten Thousand Island section of the NERR. CAMA funded this maintenance control project. BIPM funded the second maintenance control project, which was located on Sam Williams Island.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I FL GLY+MET Acacia auriculiformis earleaf acacia I CS TRIE/IMZ Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia I CS TRIE Casuarina spp. Australian pine I CS TRIE/IMZ Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+MET Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS IMZ Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle I CS TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine I FL GLY+MET Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe I CS IMZ Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS IMZ Sphagneticola trilobata wedelia II FL GLY+MET Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL GLY+MET

75 Sanibel Island County: Lee PCL: various Project ID: SW-066 65 acres $21,120 Project ID: SW-078 24 acres $80,000 Project Manager: City of Sanibel Department of Natural Resources Robert Loflin, Director 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, Florida 33957 Phone: 239-472-3700, Fax: 239-472-3065 E-mail: [email protected] Sanibel Island consists of rare barrier island freshwater wetlands interspersed with narrow ridges of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock. The 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons forever changed the landscape of Sanibel Island. The high winds associated with the storms left much of the island vegetation damaged or destroyed. In addition, numerous boardwalks, the fitness trail, picnic tables, and parking lots were heavily damaged. The 265-acre Sanibel Gardens Preserve consists of rare barrier island freshwater wetlands interspersed with narrow ridges of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock. The preserve includes the restored oxbows of the Sanibel River, which support wading bird use and rookeries. The site was within the former Sanibel Gardens and Tarpon Bay subdivisions and includes a total of 1,200 separate lots bought over a 20-year period. The project area was previously cleared of approximately eighty-five percent of the Brazilian pepper and Australian pine. This project provided maintenance of exotic plant seedlings and root re-sprouts from all parts of the restored conservation lands. The City of Sanibel provided in-kind matching funds of $11,012 in time and materials. The second project assisted the City in removing the last Australian pine trees from all city-managed parks and conservation land. The project area comprised six acres at Sea Oats Preserve, four acres at Jordan Marsh Preserve, two acres at Roadside City Park, four acres at Pond Apple Park, three acres at Bailey Beach Park, and one acre each at Paulsen, Palm Ridge, Postel, Silver Key, and Sanibel Gardens Preserves. The City of Sanibel provided $21,120 in matching funds for this work.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine I MC/BB TRIE Panicum repens torpedo grass I FL GLY Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

76 Cayo Costa State Park County: Lee PCL Size: 2,412 acres Project ID: SW-070 45.5 acres $47,567.35 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Reggie C. Norman, Park Manager 880 Belcher Road, Boca Grande, Florida 33921 Phone: 941-964-0375, Fax: 941-964-1154 E-mail: [email protected] Cayo Costa State Park is managed as a part of the Barrier Islands GEOpark. Natural communities of the park include beach dune, coastal grassland, maritime hammock, and shell mound. Several rare plants such as the threatened corkwood (Leitneria floridana) and endangered Spring ladies’ tresses (Spiranthes brevilabris) occur on the park. The endangered wood stork (Mycteria americana) visits the park and sea turtles nest on the park beaches. The park staff and volunteer team are engaged in an ongoing effort to eliminate Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and mother-in-law’s tongue on Cayo Costa Island and Punta Blanca Island (also part of the state park). Contractors conducted control on 100 acres of Brazilian pepper at a cost of $44,894. The BIPM Herbicide Bank provided $2,674 in chemicals for maintenance control by park staff on 145.5 acres. The park provided an in-kind match of $3,450 in vehicles and fuel. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

77 Mound Key Archaeological State Park County: Lee PCL Size: 168.86 acres Project ID: SW-07 5 acres $13,600 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Robert Baker, Park Manager PO Box #7, Estero, Florida 33928 Phone: (239) 992-0311, Fax: (239) 992-1607 E-mail: [email protected] Mound Key is located in the heart of Estero Bay in south Lee County. The island is accessible only by boat and consists of 125 upland acres. Natural communities of the park include beach dune, coastal grassland, maritime hammock, and shell mound. The park staff are engaged in an ongoing effort to eliminate Brazilian pepper, mother-in-law’s tongue, and life plant. The park provided an in-kind match of $12,997.50 in time and materials. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

78 Estero Bay Preserve State Park County: Lee PCL Size: 10,405 acres Project ID: SW-073 15 acres $8,500.00 Project ID: SW-080 60 acres $2,778.15 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Robert Baker, Park Manager 700-1 Fisherman’s Wharf, Ft. Myers Beach, Florida 33931 Phone: 239-463-3240, Fax: 239-463-3634 E-mail: [email protected] The project area was the Spring Creek management unit of the state park. The project site is on a peninsula on the west side of Spring Creek and on the east edge of Estero Bay. The site is a 51-acre parcel with approximately 15 acres containing various levels of exotic plants. The area is not contiguous with the Preserve boundary, being somewhat detached and difficult to access. Habitat types consist of mangroves, salt flats, and hydric pine flatwoods. Brazilian pepper occupied an estimated thirty-four percent of the project site. Park staff conducted additional initial control work on 160 acres of the Preserve with chemicals provided by the BIPM Herbicide Bank.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

79 Koreshan Historic State Park County: Lee PCL Size: 215.58 acres Project ID: SW-074 51.8 acres $21,560 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Robert Baker, Park Manager PO Box #7, Estero, Florida 33928 Phone: (239) 992-0311, Fax: (239) 992-1607 E-mail: [email protected] The entire park had various levels of invading exotics. The project area consisted of three zones with exotics coverage ranging between fifteen to sixty percent. Each zone was an upland area dominated by one or more of Burma reed, bamboo, cogon grass, or Australian pine. In addition, there were significant amounts of downy rose myrtle, melaleuca, and Brazilian pepper. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina spp. Australian pine I CS TRIE Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS IMZ Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed I CS GLY+IMZ Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle I CS TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I CS TRIE Bambusa spp. bamboo n/a CS GLY+IMZ

80 Corkscrew Wellfield County: Lee PCL Size: 476 acres Project ID: SW-087 54 acres $39,520.56 Project Manager: Lee County Parks and Recreation Roger Clark, Land Stewardship Manager 3410 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33916 Phone: 239-461-7455, Fax: 239-461-7460 E-mail: [email protected] The Corkscrew Wellfield is adjacent to and serves as a critical link between important conservation areas, including the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed and Imperial River Marsh. The predominant natural community in the project area is pine flatwoods. The flatwoods were heavily infested by Brazilian pepper and melaleuca, which presented a threat to wildlife habitat, as well as to the wellfield infrastructure.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS TRIA Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I CS TRIA

81 Sun Coast Working Group Projects

82 Hillsborough River State Park County: Hillsborough PCL Size: 3,383 acres Project ID: SC-070 00 acres $26,262 Project ID: SC-075 372 acres $56,826 Project ID: SC-078 650 acres $82,000 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Kimberlee Tennille, Park Services Specialist 15402 US 301 North, Thonotosassa, Florida 33592 Phone: 813-987-6870, Fax: 813-987-6773 E-mail: [email protected] Hillsborough River State Park is a part of the Heritage Rivers GEOpark complex located in northern Hillsborough County. The Park is one of the earliest parks in Florida, created in 1934 by the Civil Conservation Corps. The Park features both natural and cultural resources. The Hillsborough River flows over a limestone outcrop, creating one of the few rapids in the state. A hammock of live oak, sabal palm, magnolia, and hickory trees borders the river. Cypress swamps, pine flatwoods, and marshes make up most of the remaining acreage. Air-potato arrived in the park around 1980 and spread rapidly along the park drive, although persistent control efforts have reduced the area it once occupied. Skunk vine and Japanese climbing fern arrived more recently, but spread rapidly into trees and also formed a dense ground cover. Tropical soda apple, though considered to have the greatest potential for explosive growth, was primarily established in the former improved pastures on the Model Dairy property. Cogon grass spread along roadways, with the potential to move into pastures, old mining areas, forested land, and recreational areas. Three projects were conducted, the first being 100 acres of initial control in the east-central area of the Park. The second project area, Model Dairy, is a 372-acre parcel located on the south boundary of the Park. Model Dairy was purchased by Hillsborough County in 1989 and leased to the state for management. The third project involved maintenance control of areas previously treated through the Uplands Program. The Florida Park Service provided an in-kind match in time and materials for each control project, which equaled $82,406 in total.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I FL GLY+MET Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Ardisia crenata coral ardisia I FL GLY+MET Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Colocasia esculenta wild taro I FL GLY+IMZ Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+MET Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Lantana camara lantana I BB TRIE Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY+MET

83 Hillsborough River State Park

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I FL GLY+IMZ Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Ailanthus altissima tree of heaven n/a CS TRIE Bambusa spp. bamboo n/a CS GLY Citrus spp. citrus n/a BB TRIE Crotalaria spectabilis showy rattlebox n/a FL GLY+MET Cucurbita maxima Turk’s turban n/a FL GLY+MET Eriobotrya japonica loquat n/a CS TRIE

84 Terra Ceia Preserve State Park County: Hillsborough PCL Size: 1,400 acres Project ID: SC-07 59 acres $120,000 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Larry Busby, Park Service Specialist 130 Terra Ceia Road, Terra Ceia, Florida 34250 Phone: 941-721-2068, Fax: 941-721-2070 E-mail: [email protected] Terra Ceia Preserve State Park (TCP) is located on the southeastern shore of Tampa Bay in northwest Manatee County. Several rare plants such as Florida golden aster (Chrysopsis floridana), Tampa vervain (Glandularia tampensis), and hand fern (Ophioglossum palmatum) occur on TCP. Historically, the land that comprises TCP was used extensively for farming purposes. Large areas of the preserve bear the scars of past agriculture practices. Hammocks of native hardwoods, palms, and shrubs were scattered throughout these areas. Fallow areas that before farming were slash pine, mesic flatwoods, or maritime hammocks became dominated by Brazilian pepper and other invasive exotic species. This project consisted of two sites located in the northeast corner of the preserve. Coverage of invasive exotic species at the sites averaged eighty-five percent.

Target Plant Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I BB/FL TRIE/GLY+IMZ Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Albizia lebbeck woman’s tongue I BB TRIE Bischofia javanica bishopwood I BB TRIE Casuarina spp. Australian pine I BB TRIE Colocasia esculenta wild taro I BB TRIE Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood I BB TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I BB/FL TRIE/GLY+IMZ Ficus microcarpa laurel fig I BB TRIE Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+MET/+IMZ Lantana camara lantana I BB/FL TRIE/GLY+IMZ Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I BB/FL TRIE/GLY+IMZ Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I BB TRIE Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY+IMZ Psidium cattleianum strawberry guava I BB TRIE Psidium guajava guava I BB TRIE Schefflera actinophylla umbrella tree I BB TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE Senna pendula climbing cassia I BB/FL TRIE/GLY+IMZ Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE

85 Terra Ceia Preserve State Park

Target Plant Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Antigonon leptopus coral vine II FL GLY+IMZ Cyperus involucratus umbrella plant II FL GLY+IMZ Hibiscus tiliaceus mahoe II BB TRIE Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II BB TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB/CS TRIE Panicum maximum Guinea grass II FL GLY+MET/+IMZ Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm II BB TRIE Ricinus communis castor bean II BB/FL TRIE/GLY+IMZ Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II BB TRIE Sesbania punicea purple sesban II BB TRIE Solanum torvum turkey berry II BB TRIE Syagrus romanzoffiana queen palm II BB TRIE Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL GLY+IMZ Washingtonia robusta Washington fan palm II BB TRIE Xanthosoma sagittifolium elephant ear II BB TRIE Citrus spp. citrus n/a BB TRIE Crotalaria spectabilis showy rattlebox n/a FL GLY+IMZ Eriobotrya japonica loquat n/a BB TRIE Grevillea robusta silkoak n/a BB TRIE Ipomoea cairica mile a minute vine n/a FL GLY+IMZ Ludwigia peruviana Peruvian primrose-willow n/a FL GLY+IMZ Mangifera indica mango n/a BB TRIE Momordica spp. balsampear n/a BB TRIE Morus alba white mulberry n/a BB TRIE Musa spp. banana n/a BB TRIE Persea americana avocado n/a BB TRIE Philodendron spp. philodendron n/a BB TRIE Phoenix canariensis Canary Island date palm n/a BB TRIE Sorghum halepense Johnsongrass n/a FL GLY+IMZ

86 Alafia River Corridor Preserve County: Hillsborough PCL Size: 4,047 acres Project ID: SC-074 ,005 acres $50,000 Project Manager: Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Ross Dickerson, Environmental Specialist II 3709 Gulf City Road, Ruskin, Florida 33579 Phone: 813-671-7754, Fax: 813-671-7758 E-mail: [email protected] The Preserve is located on the north prong of the Alafia River from Alderman’s Ford Park to the Polk County Line, and the south prong of the Alafia River, southeast of Alderman’s Ford Park. Natural communities found within the project area include pine flatwoods, dry prairie, hardwood hammock, and riverine swamp hardwood forest. The project addressed maintenance control of skunk vine, cogon grass, tropical soda apple, and Japanese climbing fern that occurred in scattered areas of the 1,005-acre Knight Parcel. This work continued an ongoing partnership effort by the Southwest Florida Water Management District Surface Water Improvement and Management Program, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission. Hillsborough County contributed to this project $43,393 as an in-kind match of time and materials

Target Plant Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+MET Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY+MET Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I FL GLY+MET

87 Alafia River Corridor Preserve

Non-native sword (or “Boston”) ferns threaten Florida’s natural diversity of many fern species. After treatment (left, right) of the invaders, the native ferns return in profusion (below).

Cogon grass has been a target for Large conservation purchases often bring in pasture/ treatment at the park for several years. ranch lands, which have their own invaders such as tropical soda apple.

88 Little Manatee River State Park County: Hillsborough PCL Size: 2,416 acres Project ID: SC-076 91.05 acres $44,630.56 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Terry Hingtgen, Environmental Specialist 215 Lightfoot Road, Wimauma, Florida 33598 Phone: 813-671-5005, Fax: 813-671-5009 E-mail: [email protected] Little Manatee River State Park encompasses 4.5 miles of the Little Manatee River. The land is owned by Hillsborough County and managed by Florida Park Service through a permanent lease. The Park contains eleven distinct natural communities, plus ruderal and developed acres. Floodplain forest makes up most of the park acreage, while mesic flatwoods, sandhill, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, upland mixed forest, xeric hammock, baygall, depression marsh, and hydric hammock make up most of the remaining acreage. There are twelve prehistoric and historic sites documented within park boundaries, ranging in size from 100 square meters to 9,000 square meters. These include shell middens, a burial mound, and a village site, the earliest of which is dated to 7000 BP. The project area comprised ruderal lands formally used for farming. There are several intact natural areas in close proximity to the site including scrub, mesic flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and cypress dome. The majority of the Brazilian pepper was located along a ditch and berm paralleling a service road. There were also isolated individuals scattered in the surrounding area. Cogon Grass was found in several large patches in old fields with a few scattered patches found at a greater distance. There are several listed species in close proximity to the treatment area. The Park engages in the removal of invasive exotic plants using a combination of several techniques that involve volunteers, Americorps, community service workers, and park staff. The park enlists help from the local community through the PARKnership program, monthly Exotic Removal Weekends, Boy and Girl Scout Service projects, public educational programs, planting projects, partnerships, and grant opportunities.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I FL GLY+MET Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Lantana camara lantana I FL GLY+MET/TRIE Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+MET/+IMZ Nephrolepis spp. sword fern I FL GLY+MET Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY+IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Broussonetia papyrifera paper mulberry II BB TRIE Epipremnum pinnatum pothos II FL/BB GLY+MET/TRIE Passiflora biflora passion flower II FL/BB GLY+MET/TRIE Panicum maximum Guinea grass II FL GLY+IMZ

89 Philippe Park Philippe Park Invasive Exotic Plants

LEGEND SITE 1

Creek Cinnamomum camphora - CAMPHOR TREE County: Pinellas Colocasia esculenta - TARO Cupaniopsis anacardioides - CARROTWOOD Dioscorea alata - WINGED YAM Dioscorea bulbifera - AIR POTATO OLD Eugenia uniflora - SURINAM CHERRY Nephrolepis cordifolia - BOSTON FERN TAMPA

Syagrus romanzoffiana - QUEEN PALM PCL Size: 122 acres Parkway Philippe BAY Syngonium podophyllum - SYNGONIUM Syzygium cumini - JAVA PLUM Urena lobata - CAESAR WEED Xanthosoma sagittifolium - ELEPHANT EAR Project ID: SC-069 66 acres $36,525.75 (non EPPC listed but remove) Blechum pyramidatum - GREEN SHRIMP PLANT Momordica charantia - BALSAM APPLE Tradescantia zebrina - WANDERING JEW

ENTERPRISE ROAD PERIMETER EAST SIDE SEAWALL Project Manager: Pinellas County Parks Department Dioscorea bulbifera - AIR POTATO LEGEND SITE 2 Nephrolepis cordifolia - BOSTON FERN Lygodium japonicum - LYGODIUM Paederia foetida - SKUNKVINE Paederia foetida - SKUNKVINE Maintenance Area Park Antigonon leptopus - CORAL VINE Entrance Macfadyenna unguis-cati - CAT'S CLAW VINE Deborah J. Chayet, Grants Specialist Nephrolepis cordifolia - BOSTON FERN Ricinus communis - CASTOR BEAN Ruellia brittoniana - RUELLIA Enterprise Road 631 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756 LEGEND SITE 3 ENTERPRISE ROAD PERIMETER North of Mangrove Swamp Abrus precatorius - ROSARY PEA Dioscorea bulbifera - AIR POTATO Dioscorea alata - WINGED YAM Epipremnum pinnatum - POTHOS Dioscorea bulbifera - AIR POTATO Phone: 727-464-5111, Fax: 727-464-3379 Sansevieria hyacinthoides - BOWSTRING HEMP Lantana camara - LANTANA Syngonium podophyllum - ARROWHEAD VINE Melia azedarach - CHINABERRY Paederia foetida - SKUNKVINE Pennisetum purpureum - NAPIER GRASS Ricinus communis - CASTOR BEAN Email: [email protected] Schinus terebinthifolius - BRAZILIAN PEPPER Sesbania punicea - SESBANIA Syagrus romanzoffiana - QUEEN PALM Syngonium podophyllum - SYNGONIUM Urena lobata - CAESAR WEED (non EPPC listed but remove) Brassica sp - MUSTARD Philippe Park lies on old Tampa Bay. The one mile of Momordica charantia - BALSAM APPLE Sorghum halepense - JOHNSON GRASS Vitex trifolia - VITEX

NATURE TRAIL shoreline with flourishing seagrass beds and old, moss- WESTERN PERIMETER Paederia foetida - SKUNKVINE Abrus precatorius - ROSARY PEA draped oak trees is a dominant feature. One highlight of Pennisetum purpureum - NAPIER GRASS

OLD the park is a Tocobaga Indian mound, which is listed in TAMPA Philippe Parkway the Natural Register of Historic Landmarks as the Safety BAY Harbor Site. Natural habitat in the park includes xeric

hammock, estuary, and mangrove swamp. BOUNDARY LINE OF PARK

LEGEND SITE 4

The project area consisted of eight sites varying in size from South End Dioscorea bulbifera - AIR POTATO Lantana camara - LANTANA one-half to twenty-five acres with coverage ranging between Schinus terebinthifolius - BRAZILIAN PEPPER one to fifty percent. Small parcels along the park boundary were infested with emerging populations of a variety of invasive plants, including air-potato, wild yam, and Japanese climbing fern. Skunk vine, Napier grass, and Brazilian pepper infested the largest area on the park. The largest remaining area of Brazilian pepper lay on the south side of the property, with the balance of the park having been previously treated for pepper.

Target Plant Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I FL GLY Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Colubrina asiatica lather leaf I FL GLY Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood I BB TRIE Dioscorea alata winged yam I FL GLY Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY/TRIA Lantana camera lantana I BB TRIE Macfadyenna unguis-cati cat’s-claw vine I FL GLY Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I BB TRIE Nephrolepis cordifolia sword fern I FL GLY Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL TRIA Pennisetum purpureum Napier grass I FL GLY Ruellia brittoniana Mexican petunia I FL GLY Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine I FL GLY Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE

90 Philippe Park Target Plant Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Antigonon leptopus coral vine II FL GLY Epipremnum pinnatum pothos II FL GLY Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II BB TRIE Melia azedarach chinaberry II BB TRIE Ricinus communis castor bean II BB TRIE Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II BB TRIE Sesbania punicea rattlebox II FL GLY Syagrus romanzoffiana queen palm II BB TRIE Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL GLY Xanthosoma sagittifolium elephant ear II FL GLY Momordica spp. balsampear n/a FL TRIA

If it’s not one thing, it’s something else, and something else, and something else ...

This park is for the birds. Or it could be, once the invaders are removed.

91 Lemon Bay Preserve County: Sarasota PCL Size: 165 acres Project ID: SC-057 56.5 acres $20,446.50 Project Manager: Sarasota County Natural Resources Nancy Edmondson, Environmental Specialist 2817 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232 Phone: 941-861-6260, Fax: 941-861-6266 E-mail: [email protected] Sarasota County owns 765 acres along the shores of the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve in upper Lemon Bay. Initial efforts to control invasive species began in 1998 with a project funded by DEP and matching funds from Sarasota County and other agencies to address Brazilian pepper at Caspersen Beach Park. This effort continued through subsequent phases of work at Caspersen Beach Park (113 acres), initial Brazilian pepper control at Shamrock Park and Nature Center (83 acres), and persistent volunteer follow-up efforts from the American Littoral Society (>1,600 hours over a four-year period) and Venice Area Beautification, Inc. (>2000 hours in two years for exotic plant control and replanting with native plants). In 2000, a project funded by SWFWMD and Sarasota County addressed the removal of exotic vegetation, primarily Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and melaleuca in tidal marsh, mangrove swamp, and transitional areas on Lemon Bay Preserve. Lemon Bay Preserve contains coastal oak scrub, scrubby flatwoods, pine flatwoods, mixed cabbage palm hammock, mangrove swamps, tidal marsh, and palmetto prairie, of which coastal oak scrub and palmetto prairie are habitats imperiled in Florida due to rarity. Ruderal areas in the preserve are a result of the dredging of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in the 1960s. Although the site contained Brazilian pepper scattered throughout the property, this project targeted Brazilian pepper invading the mangrove fringe along approximately 0.85 mile of Lemon Bay and the adjacent areas impacted by dredging and filling. The property has undergone extensive scrub restoration including timber thinning, roller chopping, prescribed burns, exotic plant control, and most recently (November 2003 – March 2004), a hydrologic restoration project. Nearly 16 acres of Brazilian pepper, air-potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) and other exotics including lantana (Lantana camara), lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala), and wedelia (Wedelia trilobata) were removed during the course of the hydrologic restoration project. A match provided by Sarasota County included funds allocated for Phase II of the Hydrologic Restoration Project to remove Brazilian pepper and other woody exotics from an additional 45 acres, as well as controlling cogon grass, lantana, kalanchoe, and melaleuca (less than 5 acres) that existed within the project area. Total matching funds equaled $53,488. The county also provided in-kind services of time and materials worth $9,669.81

Target Plant Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I CS TRIA

92 Shamrock Park and Nature Center County: Sarasota PCL Size: 83 acres Project ID: SC-06 4.16 acres $30,500 Project Manager: Sarasota County Parks & Recreation Ed Wolfenbarger, Park Naturalist 3900 Shamrock Drive, Venice, Florida 34293 Phone: 941-486-2706, Fax: 941-486-2741 E-mail: [email protected] Shamrock Park and Nature Center, previously called Caspersen Mainland Park, was purchased in 1988. Of the 83-acre park, 25 acres were cleared of Brazilian pepper in 2000. This 2005 project targeted six sites with Brazilian pepper coverage of five to one hundred percent. Natural communities present on this site include coastal oak scrub, scrubby flatwoods, tidal swamp, and a small forested wetland. Construction of the Intercoastal Waterway created approximately 40 acres of ruderal areas, including a large dredge spoil deposition area, which were then colonized by Brazilian pepper. The County provided $3,000 in matching funds for this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I FL GLY+MET Bischofia javanica bishopwood I BB/CS TRIE Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood I BB/CS TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+MET Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry I BB/CS TRIE Lantana camara lantana I BB/CS TRIE Ligustrum spp. privet I BB/CS TRIE Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Schefflera actinophylla schefflera I BB/CS TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE Syzygium cumini Java plum I BB/CS TRIE Tradescantia fluminensis wandering Jew I FL GLY+MET Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II BB/CS TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB/CS TRIE Syagrus romanzoffiana queen palm II BB/CS TRIE Ailanthus altissima tree of heaven n/a BB/CS TRIE Carica papaya papaya n/a BB/CS TRIE Dalbergia sissoo Indian rosewood n/a BB/CS TRIE Enterolobium contortisiliquum earpod tree n/a BB/CS TRIE Eriobotrya japonica loquat n/a BB/CS TRIE Ficus benghalensis Indian banyan n/a BB/CS TRIE Hibiscus lunariifolius hibiscus n/a BB/CS TRIE Philodendron spp. philodendron n/a BB/CS TRIE Pyrostegia venusta flamevine n/a FL GLY+MET

93 Treasure Coast Working Group Projects

94 Jonathan Dickinson State Park County: Martin PCL Size: 11,480 acres Project ID: TC-070 365 acres $75,138.88 Project ID: TC-07 ,280 acres $121,625.02 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Rob Rossmanith 13798 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455 Phone: 561-744-9814, Fax: 561-744-7604 E-mail: [email protected] Old World climbing fern (lygodium) is the target of a The Loxahatchee River has been a scenic significant removal effort at the state park. The overall destination for many decades. design is to remove lygodium from the tributaries of the Loxahatchee River located in the northwest section of the park. The Loxahatchee River is recognized as a National Wild and Scenic River and is home to numerous endangered plant and animal species. The first project removed lygodium and other exotic plants in the northern section of the Block D management zone, including sections D-1, 2, 3, and 4, which have acreages of 67, 54, 105, and 26 acres respectively. The natural communities in this project area comprise a mosaic of pine flatwoods, wet prairies, and willow swamps; these zones have numerous wetlands. Lygodium, Brazilian pepper, and melaleuca grew heavily along the fence line and around disturbed wetlands in the block. Average invasive plant coverage ranged from ten to sixty percent. The second project retreated Zones E-2, E-5, F-5, F-3, E-15, F-7, and E-8 for all listed species. An initial treatment of lygodium took place in Zones E-11 (71 acres), E-12 (84 acres), and F6 (170 acres). Lygodium was treated in the Kitching Creek floodplain and other cypress wetland areas. Much of the project area is an integral component of a 2,600-acre State Wilderness Preserve in JDSP. The Preserve is composed of pine flatwoods and cypress slough. The major drainages in the area, especially Kitching Creek, are important tributaries to the Loxahatchee River. This project finished initial treatment in the area and performed maintenance work in previously treated sections. Parks District 5 Administration runs an exotic treatment crew composed of the District exotic plant biologist, two OPS exotic plant technicians, and two AmeriCorps volunteers. In-kind control work in the D and F blocks equaled $4,000 and work in the E and F blocks equaled $10,000.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS/FG IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE+IMZ

95 Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Old World climbing ferns grow into massive mats that smother everything below them (above, right). One method of treatment is the “poodle cut” foliar application (below) where the fern is removed around the base of a tree and then herbicide is applied above and below the cut.

96 Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area County: Martin, Palm Beach PCL Size: 12,415 acres Project ID: TC-07 ,052 acres $196,078 Project ID: TC-078 833 acres $14,000 Project Manager: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Beth Morford, Biological Scientist III 8535 Northlake Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33412 Early visitors to the area would recognize the Phone: 561-625-5122, ext. 142, Fax: 561-625-5129 pine flatwoods of Hungryland WEA today. E-mail: [email protected] Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area (HWEA) crosses from southern Martin County into northern Palm Beach County. The natural communities of HWEA are comprised primarily of mesic and wet flatwoods, interspersed with depression marshes and wet prairies. The South Florida Water Management District and DEP purchased this property as part of the Pal-Mar CARL/SOR project. Florida Conservation Lands 2001 describes HWEA (a.k.a. “Pal-Mar”) as “one of the highest quality pine flatwoods in south Florida.” Three disjunct parcels separated by private lands make up the HWEA. A combination of aerial and ground surveys in 2002 identified approximately 950 acres infested by melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, lygodium, and Australian pine. The first project targeted Burn Zones 3 and 9 for initial treatment. Burn Zone 3 consists of 1,152 acres and Burn Zone 9 is 900 acres. A natural slough system separates the two burn zones. FWC conducted herbicide treatment on portions of Burn Zone 3 in 2005 using agency funds. The second project targeted 833 acres in Burn Zones 1, 2, 5, and 6 for maintenance control. In 2005, Burn Zones 1 and 2 were treated using BIPM money and Burn Zones 5 and 6 were treated using FWC funds. The 2005 projects consisted of controlling Brazilian pepper, lygodium, and melaleuca, along with a few incidental species (earleaf acacia, guava, and Australian pine). FWC also conducted control operations on an additional 1,282 acres of Hungryland WEA during 2006, for an in-kind match of $231,650. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina spp. Australian pine I BB TRIE Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Psidium spp. guava I BB TRIE Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle I BB TRIE Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

97 Kiplinger Park County: Martin County PCL Size: 150 acres Project ID: TC-076 50 acres $51,000 Project Manager: Martin County Parks and Recreation Charles Barrowclough 2401 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart, Florida 34996 Phone: 772-288-5476, Fax: 772-221-1333 E-mail: [email protected] Kiplinger Park includes a mainland section that extends for about one mile along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River, and a 40-acre mangrove island. Natural communities include scrub, scrubby/mesic flatwoods, mangrove swamp, estuarine tidal swamp, and depression swamp. Rare plants on the site include the state threatened pine lily (Lilium catesbaei) and giant sword fern (Nephrolepis biserrata), and the state endangered giant wild pine (Tillandsia utriculata). The project area is dominated by wetland forests, mostly mangrove and estuarine tidal swamps. Brazilian pepper occurred in bands across the wetlands and occupied twenty-five to thirty percent of the area. Lygodium occupied less than five percent of the site, but was spreading rapidly into the freshwater swamp. Martin County contributed a match of $30,182.72 to this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY Psidium guajava guava I CS TRIE+IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I CS TRIE+IMZ

98 Savannas Preserve State Park County: Martin PCL Size: 6,450.85 acres Project ID: TC-079 75 acres $68,727.91 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Dan Griffin, Park Manager 9551 Gumbo Limbo Lane, Jensen Beach, Florida 34957 Phone: 772-340-7530, Fax: 772-873-6467 E-mail: [email protected] The preserve “buffers” the North Fork St. Lucie River, a state managed Aquatic Preserve and designated Outstanding Florida Water, from the negative impacts of urban encroachment and associated pollution. The re-treatment site (W-5) consists of approximately 75 acres of wetlands, primarily floodplain marsh, estuarine tidal swamp (mangrove) with some fringes of oak hammock. Brazilian pepper and shoebutton ardisia are the dominant invasive species found throughout the project area. The park contributed an in-kind match of $5,000 in time and materials.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia I CS IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE/IMZ

99 Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park County: Okeechobee PCL Size: 54,000 acres Project ID: TC-075 6,600 acres $20,000 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Paul Miller, Park Biologist 33104 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972 Phone: 863-462-5360, Fax: 863-462-5276 E-mail: [email protected] Kissimmee Prairie Preserve protects the largest remaining tract of dry prairie habitat east of the Kissimmee River, which the park borders for nine miles. Dry prairie is an endemic natural community and is listed as a globally and state imperiled community by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory. Dry prairie covers approximately 21,000 acres of the property. The preserve hosts several rare plants, including the state-endangered spreading pinweed (Lechea divaricata) and giant wild pine (Tillandsia utriculata) and the state-threatened Catesby’s lily (Lilium catesbaei), blue butterwort (Pinguicula caerulea), yellow butterwort (P. lutea), and little butterfly orchid (Pteroglossapsis ecristata). Park staff have been surveying and conducting cogon grass treatments in the pasture areas (below left) to stop the spread into the surrounding dry prairie community. Initial surveys have indicated that there are up to 86 acres of cogon grass in the 6,600 acres of poorly improved pasture. Cogon grass occurs scattered throughout the dry prairie/wet prairie matrix of the park, as well as along fenced property lines (below right). The patches vary in size, with the largest patches found to date occurring near the river. The Park Service provided $3,000 in matching funds toward this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I foliar GLY+MET

100 Blind Creek Park County: St. Lucie PCL Size: 409 acres Project ID: TC-074 6 acres $98,000 Project Manager: St. Lucie County Roberta Breene, Grants Writer 2300 Virginia Avenue, Ft. Pierce, Florida 34982 Phone: 772-462-6412, Fax: 772-462-2131 E-mail: [email protected] Blind Creek Park lies at the southern end of Hutchinson Island, a barrier island that is important nesting habitat for the endangered leatherback, green, and loggerhead sea turtles. Rare plants found in or near the project area include sand-dune spurge (Chamaesyce cumulicola), Johnson’s seagrass (Halophila johnsonii), and beach peanut (Okenia hypogaea). The upland maritime hammock system along the eastern shore of the Indian River lagoon was once a viable community, providing habitat for a variety of flora and fauna in a natural hammock and coastal strand system. Live oak, red bay, gumbo- limbo, and cabbage palm were the dominant vegetation of the hammock. The project site consists of coastal wetlands and maritime forest, and possesses Native American heritage sites. Several native plant species within the treatment area were recovering in exotic removal areas until set back by the hurricanes striking the area. Beach erosion exposed the stumps of previously treated trees (below left). The primary target was Australian pine that remained on the site after the passage of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, along with other exotic trees blown over in large numbers due to the eye-walls of the hurricanes hitting the site. Several hundred fallen or standing damaged Australian pines lay in relatively compact areas. Trees were collected and removed with heavy equipment (below right).

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina spp. Australian pine I MC n/a Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I MC n/a

101 Avalon State Park County: St. Lucie PCL Size: 656 acres Project ID: TC-077 62 acres $86,320 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Perry Smith, Park Manager 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949 Phone: 772-468-4007, Fax: 772-460-3646 E-mail: [email protected] Brazilian pepper invasion heavily damaged Avalon State Park. Mechanical removal of this species was determined to be critical to the long term successful return of large portions of the park to native hammock. Maritime hammock is the predominant natural community in the project area. Although heavily affected by Brazilian pepper encroachment, there is great potential for natural recuperation of the hammock.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I MC n/a

102 Savannas Recreation Area County: St. Lucie County PCL Size: 550 acres Project ID: TC-080 36.5 acres $47,177.47 Project Manager: St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Summer Ivey Platt, Savannas Recreation Supervisor III 2300 Virginia Avenue, Ft. Pierce, Florida 34982-5652 Phone: 772-464-7855, Fax: 772-464-1765 E-mail: [email protected] The Savannas Recreation Area is a mosaic of freshwater marshes, wet prairies, and pine flatwoods. The Atlantic Coastal Ridge borders the eastern edge of the marsh system. The Savannas Reserve State Park is located immediately south of the Recreation Area and comprises another 5,116-acres of diverse ecosystems. The Savannas ecosystem represents the best remaining segment of Florida’s East Coast Savannas, including extensive freshwater marshes and wet prairie systems. In the past few years, melaleuca and Australian pines began encroaching into the Savannas. Invasive non-native plants primarily infested disturbed areas along the western canal and western property line. Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, and melaleuca were the primary target species. Australian pine and Brazilian pepper were removed with a Brontosaurus mower and by cut stump treatment. Australian pine occurred in large areas along the western canal and also as a few trees on islands within the Savannas wetland system, altogether totaling 7.6 acres. Australian pine coverage equaled approximately ninety percent with some slash pine and cabbage palms interspersed. Melaleuca occurred on approximately 7.2 acres within the site, primarily along the canal, and comprised ninety percent of the cover with some native wetland hibiscus and other species intermixed. This project was a continuation of work begun in the previous fiscal year (TC-060). County staff provided an in-kind match by removing Brazilian pepper and other invasive species in the 8.7-acre area along the road. The County has contributed over $110,000 to remove Brazilian pepper along the road area and in the campground. Contributions by the County are ongoing to remove invasives in the Recreation Area and restore the native habitat.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine I CS IMZ Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

103 West Central Working Group Projects

104 Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area County: Glades PCL Size: 18,272 acres Project ID: WC-043 600 acres $185,416.08 Project Manager: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Grant Steelman, Wildlife Biologist 3010 Banana Grove Road, Moore Haven, Florida 33471 Phone: 863-946-1194, Fax: 863-946-1087 E-mail: [email protected] Fisheating Creek is the only non-dammed tributary to Lake Okeechobee. Natural communities in the WMA include cypress swamp, bottomland forest, freshwater marsh, dry prairie, prairie hammock, and hydric hammock. This project targeted wetland nightshade, Old World climbing fern, and other invasive exotics throughout the 20.3-mile Fisheating Creek channel from the Highlands-Glades county line to US 27. Wetland nightshade and Old World climbing fern averaged a combined cover of forty percent of the entire project area, including patches of one hundred percent cover ranging in size from one acre to fifty acres. This project continued the second phase of a three-phase project treating all Category I exotics in the WMA, as well as all other invasive species found within the project area of the Fisheating Creek corridor. Phase II was broken down into two treatment years with approximately 300 acres treated in FY05 and approximately 600 acres treated in FY06. Phase II is expected to be completed by June 2008. The FWC provided a matching cost-share for the project of $125,000. BIPM provided an additional amount of $7,443.20 in chemicals from its Herbicide Bank.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL 4D Hymenachne amplexicaulis West Indian marsh grass I FL 4D Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL/AR GLY Panicum repens torpedo grass I FL 4D Psidium guajava guava I BB/CS TRIA Solanum tampicense wetland nightshade I FL 4D Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL 4D

105 Spirit-of-the-Wild Wildlife Management Area County: Hendry PCL Size: 7,500 acres Project ID: WC-049 3,960 acres $102,187.09 Project Manager: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission George W. Poole, Biologist III 100 CR 832, Felda, Florida 33930 Phone: 863-612-0775, Fax: 863-612-0786 E-mail: [email protected] The project area comprised approximately twenty percent depression wetlands, fifty-five percent pasture, and twenty- five percent mesic and hydric flatwoods. Agriculture and cattle operations were the historical use of the property. Brazilian pepper occurred in moderate to heavy infestations throughout the management area, although generally not in the depression wetlands. Brazilian pepper spread over 3,540 acres was treated by the Uplands Program in FY05. The goal of this project was to treat the remainder of the management area. Brazilian pepper within 3,230 acres was chemically treated (below left). Brazilian pepper growing within 730 acres where the plant grew along canals, ditches, and in flatwoods was mechanically controlled (below right). Selected areas of high infestation were also mechanically treated. Coverage varied considerably, although no monocultures exceeded one acre in size. BIPM funding included $2,255.09 in chemicals from the Herbicide Bank.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE/TRIA

Map Note: Hatched area = 3,540 acres of work done in 2005 Light Blue area = 730 acres of the remaining 3,960 acres treated mechanically in 2006 Areas outside of the hatched area, excluding the blue areas, are the 3,230 acres treated chemically in 2006

106 Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest County: Hendry, Collier PCL Size: 32,039 acres Project ID: WC-044 3,000 acres $121,600 Project Manager: Division of Forestry (FDACS) Kevin Podkowka, Senior Forester PO Box 712, Felda, Florida 33930 Phone: 863-612-0776, Fax: 863-612-0780 E-mail: [email protected] The ‘OK’ Slough State Forest is generally hydric in nature, with approximately 11,000 acres of mesic flatwoods and oak-cabbage palm hammocks persisting on the driest sites. The remaining two-thirds of the forest is made up of approximately 20,000 acres of a variety of plant native communities such as dome swamp, swale, depression marsh, and hardwood swamp, and approximately 2,500 acres of abandoned pasture and old fields. Timber, agriculture, and cattle operations comprised the historic use of the property. All of OK Slough has been treated for some invasive plant species in the past. Areas of infestation are found throughout the forest; however, the most infested sites occur along the southwestern boundary of the forest. These sites were recently located using DOF OPS employees paid through a federal grant. It was anticipated that some areas would require significant interior treatment where the infestation was located along a road shoulder. DOF provided $10,000 in matching funds and $20,273.25 in an in-kind match of time and materials.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Panicum repens torpedo grass I FL GLY Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE

107 Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest

Cogon grass (foreground) and Brazilian pepper (background) were the dominant invasive species on the forest.

Cogon grass (left) and Brazilian pepper (below) are now the dominant dead invasive species on the forest.

108 Okaloacoochee Slough Wildlife Management Area County: Hendry, Collier PCL Size: 3,000 acres Project ID: WC-051 5,000 acres $23,750 Project Manager: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Jean McCollom, Biologist III PO Box 716, Felda, Florida 33930 Phone: 863-612-0775, Fax: 863-612-0786 E-mail: [email protected] The ‘OK’ Slough Wildlife Management Area is generally hydric in nature, with mesic flatwoods and oak-cabbage palm hammocks persisting on the driest sites. Timber, agriculture, and cattle operations comprised the historic use of the property. The FWC is also a cooperator with the adjacent state forest and manages hunting on those 32,000 acres. All of OK Slough State Forest and WMA were treated for various invasive plant species in the past. This project consisted of maintenance treatment on two areas. The first area included the 3,000-acre WMA, where all Category I and II invasive species were treated. The dominant exotic species were Brazilian pepper and cogon grass, which occurred throughout the area except not generally in the depression wetlands. The second area received initial treatment for Brazilian pepper, guava, and rosary pea in areas dry enough to contain Brazilian pepper. This covered 2,000 acres within a 19,000-acre unit of the state forest.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Hymenachne amplexicaulis West Indian marsh grass I FL GLY Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I FG TRIE Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I FL GLY Urochloa mutica Pará grass I FL GLY Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL GLY

Treated cogon grass.

109 Avon Park Air Force Range County: Highlands, Polk PCL Size: 106,110 acres Project ID: WC-050 510 acres $9,998.32 Project Manager: Department of Defense, U. S. Air Force Scott Penfield, OLA, DET 1, 347 OG/CEVN 29 South Boulevard, Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida 33825-5700 Phone: 863-452-4119 x305, Fax: 863-452-4161 E-mail: [email protected] Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) is the largest parcel of natural land in the Greater Arbuckle Ecosystem. Its numerous natural communities include rare scrub, dry prairie, and cutthroat grass seeps. The APAFR supports an amazing array of rare plants and animals, including twelve animals and two plants that are listed as federally endangered or threatened species. This project provided ground-based maintenance control for Old World climbing fern that infested approximately 3,100 acres of cypress and hardwood swamps at APAFR. The Air Force contributed an in-kind match of $30,000 in time and materials to this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY

110 Treasure Island Preserve County: Lake PCL Size: 79 acres Project ID: WC-048 3.61 acres $42,050 Project Manager: Lake County Water Authority Patricia A. Burgos, Environmental Program Manager 107 N. Lake Avenue, Tavares, Florida 32778 Phone: 352-343-3777, Fax: 352-343-4259 E-mail: [email protected] The Oklawaha Basin Recreation and Water Conservation and Control Authority, commonly called the Lake County Water Authority (LCWA), was created by state law in 1953. The LCWA has acquired over 6,000 acres for protection through its Land Preservation Program. An active and expanded invasive plant control program is integral to LCWA land management goals. The county contributed $11,553 in matching funds and in-kind match of time and materials for this project. Treasure Island Preserve is bordered on the north and south by Lake Griffin and comprises 74.49 acres of wetland and 2.62 acres of uplands. Wetlands include freshwater marsh, wetland scrub, and forested wetland. The uplands were used previously as a strawberry farm. Chinaberry, Chinese tallow, and paper mulberry were found in the forested wetlands, and camphor trees in the uplands. Air-potato infested 2.22 upland acres, and some of the dryer wetland areas. Roadside ditches were heavily infested with wild taro. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB/CS TRIE Colocasia esculenta wild taro I FL GLY+MET Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+MET Lantana camara lantana I BB/CS/FL TRIE/GLY+MET Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB/CS TRIE Broussonetia papyrifera paper mulberry II BB/CS TRIE Koelreuteria elegans flamegold tree II BB/CS TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB/CS TRIE Ricinus communis castor bean II FL GLY+MET Sesbania punicea purple sesban II FL GLY+MET Eriobotrya japonica loquat n/a BB/CS TRIE Ludwigia peruviana primrose-willow n/a FL GLY+MET

111 Hilochee Wildlife Management Area County: Lake, Polk PCL Size: 11,100 acres Project ID: WC-046 ,450 acres $93,330.82 Project Manager: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Cyndi A. Gates, Area Biologist 12932 CR 474, Clermont, Florida 34714 Phone: 352-241-8501, Fax: 352-242-4478 E-mail: [email protected] The Lake County portion of Hilochee WMA occupies approximately 5,000 acres. The project site consists of slash and sand pine plantations, citrus groves, pine flatwoods, cypress swamp, and improved pasture. Invading exotic plants include tropical soda apple (TSA), cogon grass, rosary pea, Chinaberry, lantana, and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum). Small infestations of cogon grass occupied a total area of 20 acres scattered over approximately 600 acres of pine plantations. Infestations ranged in size from 0.1-1.5 acres. Lantana occurred primarily within slash pine plantations that were former grove sites with densities ranging from 5-25 plants per acre scattered over approximately 600 acres of plantations. The Osprey Unit of Hilochee WMA covers approximately 6,100 acres in northeastern Polk County. Important habitat features include cypress strands and bottomland hardwood forests. Cutthroat grass (Panicum abscissum) occurs on the site. The project site consists of improved pasture, abandoned citrus groves, pine flatwoods, cypress swamp, and freshwater marsh. TSA infested approximately 600 acres of improved pasture and associated oak hammocks with a variable coverage of 100-1,000 plants per acre. Cogon grass infested approximately 50 acres of citrus grove and roadways in patches that ranged in size from <0.1 acres to 4 acres. Lantana occupied approximately 85 acres scattered primarily within 200 acres of abandoned citrus groves and other disturbed sites. Numerous other invasive plants occur at Hilochee, including earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis), air- potato (Dioscorea spp.), Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), wild taro (Colocasia esculenta), and torpedo grass (Panicum repens), which are being mapped by FWC as infestations are located. FWC contributed an in-kind match of $13,848 in time and materials to this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I BB TRIE Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Lantana camara lantana I FL GLY+IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB TRIE Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I FL GLY+IMZ Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB TRIE Melinis repens Natal grass II FL GLY+IMZ

112 Hilochee Wildlife Management Area

Lantana was mapped in low density (yellow) and high density (red) areas for treatment.

Treated rosary pea.

Treated lantana.

113 Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area County: Polk PCL Size: 25,000 acres Project ID: WC-047 5,334 acres $141,612.25 Project Manager: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Michael McMillian, Biological Scientist III 1630 Royce Ranch Avenue, Lake Placid, Florida 33852 Phone: 863-699-3740, Fax: 863-699-3741 E-mail: [email protected] The Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) consists of 19 tracts of land scattered over roughly 75 miles of the Lake Wales Ridge in Highlands and Polk Counties. The scrub community supports several species of rare animals, including the Florida scrub jay. Sixteen federally endangered plants occur in the WEA, including pygmy fringetree (Chionanthus pygmaneus), scrub blazing star (Liatris ohlingerae), Florida scrub plum (Prunus geniculata), and Carter’s mustard (Warea carteri). This project targeted all invasive species scattered over two large tracts. The FWC contributed $48,350 to the project as an in-kind match of time and materials. BIPM provided $2,002.50 in chemicals from its Herbicide Bank for maintenance control on an additional previously treated 75-acre area.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I FL/BB/CS GLY/TRIE Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB/CS TRIE Albizia lebbeck woman’s tongue I BB TRIE Casuarina spp. Australian pine I CS TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB/CS TRIE Dioscorea spp. air-potato I FL/BB GLY/TRIE Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Lantana camara lantana I BB TRIE Ligustrum spp. privet I BB TRIE Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I FL GLY+MET Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca I CS IMZ Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I BB/CS TRIE Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I BB TRIE Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II CS TRIE Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB/CS TRIE Panicum maximum Guinea grass II FL GLY+IMZ Passiflora biflora passion flower II FL/BB GLY/TRIE Ricinus communis castor bean II CS TRIE Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II BB TRIE Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL/BB GLY/TRIE Xanthosoma sagittifolium elephant ear II CS/FL TRIE Enterolobium contortisiliquum earpod tree n/a BB/CS TRIE

114 Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area

Mountain Lake Cutoff (right) was the treatment area (not shown on above map).

115 Circle B Bar Reserve/Crooked Lake Prairie County: Polk Circle B Bar Reserve PCL Size: 1,267 acres Crooked Lake Prairie PCL Size: 525 acres Project ID: WC-052 909 acres $49,081.29 Project Manager: Polk County Natural Resources Division Tabitha Biehl, Polk County Environmental Lands 4177 Ben Durrance Road, Bartow, Florida 33830 Phone: 863-534-7377 x272, Fax: 863-534-7374 E-mail: [email protected] Polk County and Southwest Florida Water Management District jointly own the Circle B Bar Reserve. The site was a cattle ranch prior to public acquisition, but still contains several natural communities such as cypress domes, wet prairie, mixed wetland hardwoods, bay swamp, live oak hammock, and upland hardwood forest. Two state-listed plant species, butterfly orchid and giant air plant, grow in the oak hammocks on the site. The removal of cattle allowed a tremendous increase in some invasive species. BIPM funded a control operation in FY05 that targeted cogon grass, Brazilian pepper, Chinese tallow, tropical soda apple, skunk vine, Japanese climbing fern, and Caesar’s weed. The current project provided maintenance control for cogon grass, Japanese climbing fern, tropical soda apple, and Caesar’s weed on 603 acres of the Reserve. Crooked Lake Prairie is owned and managed by the Polk County Environmental Lands Program. Portions of this site were once a tomato farm, pineapple farm, and most recently a cattle ranch, prior to public acquisition. The site consists of several natural communities such as depression marsh, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, wet prairie, and wet flatwoods. After the purchase of the property in 1997, downy rose-myrtle was discovered in concentrations along the lake. BIPM funded a control operation in FY99 that treated five acres with ninety percent coverage of downy rose-myrtle. The county treated an additional 195 acres with scattered downy rose-myrtle in FY00. The current project provided maintenance control for downy rose-myrtle scattered over 200 acres of the site. The BIPM Herbicide Bank provided $2,002.50 of chemicals to Polk County for maintenance control on another 106 acres of these two properties.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle I CS TRIE Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I BB/CS/FL TRIE Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II BB/CS/FL GLY

116 Circle B Bar Reserve/Crooked Lake Prairie

Circle B Bar Reserve

Crooked Lake Prairie

117 Withlacoochee Working Group Projects

118 Perry Oldenburg Mitigation Park/Withlacoochee State Forest County: Hernando Perry Oldenburg Mitigation Park Wildlife Environmental Area PCL Size: 368 acres Withlacoochee State Forest PCL Size: 157,481 acres Project ID: WR-064 84 acres $13,896.99 Project Manager: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Shane Belson 1601 Scotty’s Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Phone: 407-846-5300 x1003, Fax: 407-846-5310 E-mail: [email protected] Perry Oldenburg Mitigation Park Wildlife and Environmental Area (POMP) encompasses areas of sandhill (277 acres), hardwood hammock (72 acres), freshwater marsh (9 acres), old field (10 acres), and powerline right-of-way (12 acres). The infestations at POMP occurred principally within a 150- acre sandhill restoration area and along fire lines, fence lines, and other disturbed sites. Cogon grass occurred throughout a 145-acre area with a sparse coverage of less than ten percent. Tropical soda apple (TSA) sprouted in scattered portions of the sandhill restoration area with coverage also of less than ten percent. Skunk vine grew within a 25-acre area with coverage of less than ten percent. Camphor tree occurred on 10 acres in the northwest section of the sandhill restoration site, primarily as 1-2 year old trees, with twenty-five percent coverage. The 491-acre Marsh Unit of the Withlacoochee State Forest consists of longleaf pine plantation (165 acres), mesic hammock (250 acres), a pond (7 acres), and improved pasture (62 acres). The Marsh Unit is located between the Headquarters and Croom Units of the Forest. The former sandhills of the site were converted by the 1960s to cattle pasture. The exotics at the Marsh Unit occurred in the pasture and pine plantation areas. Cogon grass was found at two sites and covered 3.5 acres in sparse patches. TSA was found in a single 0.5-acre area. The total in-kind contribution provided by FWC and DOF was $33,165 in time and materials.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Abrus precatorius rosary pea I BB TRIE Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Ardisia crenata coral ardisia I BB TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+IMZ Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Nephrolepis cordifolia sword fern I FL GLY+IMZ Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY+IMZ Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I FL GLY+IMZ Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL GLY+IMZ

119 Perry Oldenburg Mitigation Park/Withlacoochee State Forest

Cogon grass continues to be a problem throughout central Florida, on public and private land. Although easy to treat (see before/after pictures this page), cogon grass is difficult to eradicate and must be monitored for several years after initial treatment.

120 Fickett Hammock Preserve County: Hernando PCL Size: 149 acres Project ID: WR-066 75.8 acres $10,125 Project Manager: Hernando County Planning Department Jeff Hays Room 262, 20 N Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601 Phone: 352-754-4057, Fax: 352-754-4420 E-mail: [email protected] Fickett Hammock Preserve has remained largely undisturbed, other than by two limerock drives in its northern portion and some past timbering of the property. The project area consists almost entirely of upland mixed forest. Fickett Hammock Preserve is at the southern extent of the range of the upland mixed forest habitat type and provides an excellent example of this community. There are approximately two acres of longleaf pine-xeric oak sandhill along the southwestern extent of the property. One listed plant species known to exist on the Preserve is the green fly orchid Epidendrum( conopseum), but no extensive floral survey has been conducted. The project area contained 61 acres of skunk vine with ten to fifteen percent coverage, and 14.8 acres of mixed skunk vine, Japanese climbing fern, and cogon grass (limited to limerock drives) with five to ten percent coverage. The county contributed $3,375 in matching funds for this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY

FICKETT HAMMOCK PRESERVE INVASIVE PLANT AREAS

CENTRALIA RD

Entrance

Photo: IFAS

Fickett Hammock Preserve

Area 1

Area 2

Area 3

Extent of Area 4 Internal Vehicle CITRUS WAY Access Heavy Skunk Vine (50% Cover) Roads

0 250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Feet ² Prepared by: Hernando County Planning Department

121 Fickett Hammock Preserve

Hardwood hammock. Skunk vine before treatment.

Fertile fronds of the Japanese climbing fern. Skunk vine up close.

Cogon grass after treatment. Skunk vine after treatment.

122 Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park County: Levy PCL Size: 32,500 acres Project ID: WR-069 6 acres $2,640 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Jeff DiMaggio P.O. Box 187, Cedar Key, Florida Phone: 352-543-5567, Fax: 352-543-6315 E-mail: [email protected] Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park is located within the once vast Gulf Hammock, one of the largest hydric hammocks in the state (approximately 100,000 acres). The Preserve is the only portion of Gulf Hammock that is under public ownership, with the rest largely owned by timber companies. The Preserve hosts a variety of rare plants and animals; at least 16 plant species and at least 28 animal species. Cogon grass in the hydric hammock threatened corkwood, pinewoods dainties, and Florida pinkroot. Cogon grass occurred on sites that were logged to control an outbreak of the southern pine beetle and was presumably introduced on the logging equipment. This project was entirely funded by the Florida Park Service.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ

Gulf Hammock—palm trees and salt marsh.

Cogon grass sprouting in a previously treated area, demonstrating the need for monitoring and maintenance control.

123 Rainbow Springs State Park County: Marion PCL Size: 1,449 acres Project ID: WR-061 55 acres $9,185 Project Manager: Florida Park Service (DEP) Robert Wilson, Park Manager 19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, Florida 34432 Phone: 352-489-8503, Fax: 352-465-7855 E-mail: [email protected] The project area was located on a recently acquired addition to Rainbow Springs State Park. The Park added the 365-acre Griffitts property in 2004. The previous owners managed the tract largely for timber production, although pastures are also present on the property. Sandhill is the predominant natural community (~300 acres), with smaller areas of mesic flatwoods, and hydric hammock directly adjacent to the Rainbow River. Only the northern portion of the Griffitts property has been surveyed for cogon grass. The remainder of the property will be surveyed and additional project phases will be pursued in subsequent years. Within Phase I, approximately 33 acres of cogon grass grew as understory in sandhill. Coverage varied from very dense to moderately dense on about 20 acres and patchy and sparse on the remaining acreage. Another 15 acres of cogon grass infested a 21-acre block of formerly good quality sandhill that, though logged, was never converted to sand pine plantation. In this area, cogon grass occurred in either dense small patches or sparsely scattered as single blades intermixed among native groundcover. Less than 2 acres of cogon grass was found in pasture abutting the western edge of Phase 1. The Florida Park Service contributed $5,065 in matching funds and $4,494 of in-kind match in time and materials to this project.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ

124 Ocala National Forest County: Marion, Lake, Putnam PCL Size: 383,573 acres Project ID: WR-065 6.7 acres $6,125 Project Manager: US Forest Service (USDA) William Carromero, Ph. D., Botanist 17147 East Hwy 40, Silver Springs, Florida 34488 Phone: 352-625-2520, Fax: 352-625-7556 E-mail: [email protected] Ocala National Forest encompasses approximately 380,000 acres in north-central Florida. The Forest is divided between two Ranger Districts, Lake George and Seminole. The Forest is bounded by the St. Johns River on the east and the Ocklawaha River on the west and north. The Forest contained exotics infestations that varied in size from 0.1 acre to 3 acres with fifteen to one hundred percent coverage. Two project sites were located in the Seminole Ranger District and one site in the Lake George Ranger District. Ocala National Forest encompasses a variety of natural communities such as sand pine scrub, scrub oak, longleaf pine/wiregrass/turkey oak, xeric hammock, pine flatwoods, floodplains, hardwood swamps, and bayheads. Numerous endangered and threatened plant species occur in the sand pine scrub and longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystems. Federally listed species on the Forest include the endangered Polygala lewtonii (Lewton’s polygala) and Nolina brittoniana (Britton’s beargrass), and the threatened Bonamia grandiflora (Florida bonamia), Eriogonum longifolium var. gnaphalifolium (scrub buckwheat), and Clitoria fragrans (scrub pigeon- wings). Since the initial establishment of cogon grass in the Forest in the late 1970s, this invasive plant has steadily spread along county road rights-of-way through the Forest, infesting adjacent forested areas and private in-holdings. Seed dispersion via wind and animal fur has enabled cogon grass to establish along powerline rights-of-way and in remote parts of the Forest.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia julibrissin mimosa I CS TRIA Asparagus aethiopicus asparagus-fern I FL GLY Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I CS TRIA Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY Melia azedarach Chinaberry II CS TRIA

125 Etoniah Creek State Forest County: Putnam PCL Size: 8,700 acres Project ID: WR-067 0 acres $3,265 Project ID: WR-074 0 acres $1,200 Project Manager: Division of Forestry (FDACS) Scott Crosby, Senior Forester 390 Holloway Road, Florahome, Florida 32140 Phone: 386-329-2552, Fax: 386-329-2554 E-mail: [email protected] Treated Japanese climbing fern. Etoniah Creek State Forest is a mix of upland and wetland plant communities, including scrub, scrubby flatwoods, sandhill, xeric hammock, mesic flatwoods, mesic hammock, baygall, bottomland forest, cypress dome, and depression marsh. Three rare species occur on the Forest, the federally listed Etoniah rosemary (Conradina etonia), and the state listed variable-leaved crown beard (Verbesina heterophylla) and pine woods blue-stem (Andropogon arctatus). The current property boundary is highly fragmented. A forest-wide invasive plant survey was recently completed providing GPS locations for all known infestations. The primary goal of this project was to control the populations of torpedo grass invading the Forest from fill dirt used during road work. Torpedo grass has been introduced to four miles of interior forest roads over the past three years. A secondary goal was control of emerging populations of cogon grass and Japanese climbing fern. The two projects were divided between an initial treatment and one re-treatment of the same ten-acre area. DOF contributed matching funds of $1,800.

Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY Panicum repens torpedo grass I FL GLY Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I FL GLY

126 Etoniah Creek State Forest

Treated cogon grass, dead or dying.

A healthy forest.

One road, two sides; both treated for torpedo grass.

127 Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway County: Citrus, Levy, Marion, Putnam PCL Size: 93,241 acres Project ID: WR-062 4,600 acres $114,930 Project ID: WR-068 40 acres $16,000 Project ID: WR-070 2 acres $45,500 Site Manager: Office of Greenways and Trails (DEP) Adele Mills 200 Buckman Lock Road, Palatka, Florida 32177 Phone: 386-312-2273, Fax: 386-312-2276 Contractors review the project with the site E-mail: [email protected] manager in a “pre-bid” meeting. The Cross Florida Greenway (CFG) evolved from a proposed shipping/barge canal into a state recreation and conservation area. Covering sections of four counties, the CFG is a 110-mile linear park that represents one of the largest public land areas managed by the State of Florida today. The Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) contracted with Florida Natural Areas Inventory to survey the CFG for invasive exotic plants. The resulting maps documented thirty- six invasive species that were found in multiple infestations along the length of the CFG. Cogon grass occurs on over 100 acres as infestations varying in size from 20 acres to 0.1 acre. Each year OGT treats newly discovered infestations and re-treats existing or known infestations. The first project (WR-062) re-treated cogon grass in Section #9, which extends from I-75 to US 441 in Marion County. BIPM paid $34,9230 and OGT paid $80,000 of the project cost. The second project targeted 40 acres of cogon grass on Heather Island Preserve, a recent addition to the CFG. The third project site was Rodman Dam, where the contractor removed all vegetation growing on the rock armament and the sides of the dam. OGT paid for these two projects. Species Treated Common Name Rank Type Herbicide Albizia julibrissin mimosa I BB TRIE Cinnamomum camphora camphor tree I BB TRIE Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I FL GLY+IMZ Imperata cylindrica cogon grass I FL GLY+IMZ Lantana camara lantana I FL GLY Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle I FL GLY Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I FL GLY Nephrolepis spp. Sword fern I FL GLY+IMZ Paederia foetida skunk vine I FL GLY Panicum repens torpedo grass I FL GLY Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow I BB TRIE Broussonetia papyrifera paper mulberry II BB/FL TRIE/GLY+IMZ Melia azedarach Chinaberry II BB TRIE Pteris vittata Chinese brake fern II FL GLY Urena lobata Caesar’s weed II FL/BB GLY+IMZ/TRIE Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria II FL GLY+IMZ

128 Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

The Greenway traverses miles of forest, swamp, and other natural communities.

Cogon grass often spreads from Prescribed fire can reduce the roads, where it is introduced Cogon grass grows densely and large biomass of a cogon grass through contaminated fill dirt, on up to four feet tall. infestation, allowing for more vehicles and equipment, or even effective treatment with less by horses. herbicide used.

Invasive plant control may include treatment of exotic grasses, vines, and trees in the same conservation area.

129 Melaleuca Program Projects

Melaleuca was brought to Florida in the early 1900s as an ornamental tree. Its fast-growing nature led to it being planted extensively as wind breaks and fence rows. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers originally introduced melaleuca to Lake Okeechobee in the late 1930s, planting trees on low-lying islands immediately lakeward of the levee to protect against storm generated wind and wave erosion. From these limited plantings, melaleuca spread into many thousands of acres of marsh within the lake. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) was the primary source of funding for melaleuca control on public lands. In 1993, the Florida Legislature authorized an annual appropriation of $1 million for the specific purpose of melaleuca control. The Bureau of Invasive Plant Management (BIPM) initiated a cost-sharing program with this $1 million, which the District matches dollar for dollar. This partnership, referred to as the Melaleuca Program, has resulted in over $20 million of melaleuca control to date. BIPM later expanded the program to also provide melaleuca control on non-district conservation lands. At the current level of funding, melaleuca could be eliminated from the Everglades Water Conservation Areas (WCA) and Lake Okeechobee (Lake O) within the next ten years. Melaleuca Management—Melaleuca became a target of invasive plant control in the 1980s. Initial work was done on Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Lake O, and the WCA. The National Park Service treated 90,717 acres of melaleuca on ENP during 1986 to 1998 and 71,000 acres on BCNP from 1984 to 1997. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service treated 8,095 acres of melaleuca on Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (a.k.a. WCA 1) prior to 1987 and 6,755 acres from 1987 to 1998. The SFWMD assisted with these early efforts, as well as treating Lake O and the WCA. The SFWMD pioneered the aerial treatment of melaleuca by helicopter in the 1990s. During 1994 to 1998, the District aerially treated 3,813 acres of Lake O, 1,643 acres of WCA (‘95-‘97), and 1,322 acres of the Pennsuco Mitigation Area (‘98 only). On areas that are aerially treated, ground crews are used for follow-up and maintenance control. With aerial treatment, large areas can be treated for relatively little cost; the primary factors being helicopter time and amount of herbicide used. Ground control, on the other hand, can cost three to ten times more than aerial treatment, depending upon the size and density of the trees, ease of access to the site, and labor and machinery costs.

130 In 1993, the SFWMD estimated there were over 500,000 acres of melaleuca in south Florida, with fifty percent on public conservation lands. In 2005, twenty-five percent of melaleuca was on these lands—a decrease of over 125,000 acres through Florida’s dedicated funding for melaleuca control. Melaleuca has been completely cleared from Water Conservation Areas 2A, 3A, and 3B, north and south of Alligator Alley. These areas are now under “maintenance control.” Today, the melaleuca infestation is no longer increasing; in many areas it is being reduced. Management Strategy—An effective, integrated management of melaleuca requires a combination of control techniques; chemical, mechanical, and biological. The melaleuca snout beetle Oxyops( vitiosa) was released in WCA-3B near Ft. Lauderdale in April 1997. The insect is now established within melaleuca populations throughout south Florida. A second insect, a sap-sucking psyllid (Boreioglycaspis melaleucae), was released in November 2002 and is also well established. These two control agents have been observed to severely curtail flowering and new growth of melaleuca. Effective melaleuca management requires knowledge of its biology. The reproductive potential of melaleuca is tremendous. A mature tree may retain millions of seeds, all of which may be released from their protective capsules following a stressful event such as drought, fire, physical damage, or herbicide application. Once released, fifteen to twenty percent of the seeds will germinate. New trees take approximately two years to mature and produce viable seeds. Follow-up treatment within the second year after the initial treatment is essential to eliminate seedlings before they can produce viable seeds. Under ideal conditions, melaleuca can be eliminated from an area within two years. The first phase of control targets all existing trees and seedlings in a given area. Using GPS equipment, crews return to the same site to remove any seedlings resulting from the control activities of the previous year. The District’s control operations consist of three phases: Phase I. Elimination of all mature trees and seedlings present in an area. Phase II. Revisiting previously treated sites for follow-up treatment to control trees previously missed and remove seedlings that may have resulted from control activities of the preceding year. Phase III. Long-term management of melaleuca: surveillance and inspection of previously treated sites to monitor the effectiveness of control and maintain reinfestation levels as low as possible. The goal of the current melaleuca management program is to contain melaleuca on all District land and to maintain infestation levels as low as possible while minimizing impacts to non-target vegetation. The melaleuca management strategy is based on the quarantine strategy, where the least infested areas (outliers) are addressed first, in order to stop the progression of the existing population. Frill-and- girdle application of an herbicide solution (25% glyphosate, 10% imazapyr in water) is the primary method used to kill mature trees. Aerial application has become essential as control operations are directed to large areas of melaleuca monocultures. Regardless of the control method used, a comprehensive data collection and evaluation plan is essential for the success of melaleuca management initiatives. Record keeping is invaluable for making future management decisions. Data collection in the District’s program includes: longitude and latitude coordinates at each treatment site, date and time of control, type of control method, type of herbicide and amount, method of application, number of trees and seedlings or hectares treated at each site, and labor and equipment hours. The data are used to produce maps of treatment progress and to keep track of individual melaleuca control sites.

131 Everglades National Park—One project in Everglades National Park targeted the infested acres within the East Everglades Acquisition Area (EEAA). One of the species most affected is the Cape Sable seaside sparrow, habitat for which has been decreasing due to the spread of melaleuca and Australian pine in the EEAA. A wide range of relatively rare native plant communities occur in the EEAA. For example, muhly prairies comprised predominately of muhly grass (Muhlenbergia filipes), are also associated with sawgrass (Cladium jamaicens), nodding beak rush (Rhynchospora microcarpa), and panic grass (Panicum tenerum). This community is important to the Cape Sable seaside sparrow. The muhly prairies also include a number of rare or endemic plants, some of which include twin flower (Dyschoriste angusta), yellow flax (Linum carteri), and semaphore eupatorium (Eupatorium mikanioides). There are over thirty other plant communities in the EEAA, including sawgrass glade, cocoplum thicket, pond apple swamp, willow forest, bayhead, and tropical hardwood hammock. The distribution of melaleuca was heterogeneous, varying locally from absent to dense stands of reproducing plants. Melaleuca occurred in the prairie areas as single plants (outliers), as even-aged stands around a central seed tree, and as high density forests of several age classes. Trees occurred around the margins of hammocks (sometimes in the interior) in various densities. The contractor removed all melaleuca within the treatment area, which was divided into treatment blocks of approximately 1 square kilometer (244 acres). Crews working in the treatment blocks progressed systematically across the landscape, treating all woody exotics with herbicide or hand pulling any seedlings. This project treated 2,050 acres of melaleuca at accost of $500,000. Program Expenditures—In addition to the ENP project, BIPM provided $120,000 to treat melaleuca at Picayune Strand State Forest (500 acres) and Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area (1,500 acres). Another $999,421 went to SFWMD for maintenance control operations on Lake Okeechobee and the WCA. The BIPM Herbicide Bank provided $38,000 of herbicide to SFWMD for aerial control of melaleuca. Altogether in fiscal year 2006, BIPM funded initial and maintenance control of melaleuca on over 40,500 acres of public conservation land in south Florida.

132 Lygodium Strike Team Projects

The Bureau of Invasive Plant Management initiated an additional service for conservation land managers throughout the state in 2004. The Bureau hires a contractor to visit individual conservation lands to provide control of small incipient populations of Old World and Japanese climbing ferns (Lygodium microphyllum and L. japonicum, respectively). This effort targets populations too large for in-house control efforts, but too small to design a formal project around and apply for funding at the working group level. Maximum size for any control area is limited to 10 acres. The Lygodium Strike Team is an experienced weed control specialist under contract with the Bureau. The contractor provides service to treat lygodium whenever there is a need anywhere in the state. The service includes all labor, materials, equipment, and herbicide and adjuvants, necessary to treat Lygodium species. The contractor conducts either a foliar application or a “poodle-cut” application, which is a modified foliar method where the vines are cut 4-5 feet up the stem and the foliage is rolled up from the base, then all vines on the ground are sprayed. Treatment is usually with glyphosate herbicide (Roundup™, Glypro™, Aquaneat™, etc.) at two to three percent and with or without the addition of metsulfuron methyl herbicide (Escort™, Patriot™, etc.) usually at one ounce per hundred gallons of mix. A list of public conservation lands visited by the Lygodium Strike Team and the acres of lygodium treated follows. Total cost for treating 94 acres was $35,070. Danforth Creek Park 10 acres Goethe State Forest 13 acres Hickory Lake Scrub Park 6 acres Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge 5 acres Malabar Scrub Sanctuary 5 acres Oxbow Park 8 acres Palm City Park Conservation Area 9 acres Peck Lake Park 5 acres Pendarvis Cove Park 8 acres Phipp’s Park Conservation Area 3 acres Raiford Wildlife Management Area 2 acres Scrub Oak Park 10 acres Vargal Conservation Area 5.5 acres Wiregrass Prairie Preserve 4.5 acres

133 Herbicide Bank Projects

The Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program established the “Herbicide Bank” to assist land managers in maintenance control of exotics on lands that were part of a project previously funded by the program. The Herbicide Bank supplies the herbicide for re-treatment, while the land manager provides the labor, time, and any other materials required. Depending upon the type of plant, re- treatment is typically needed one to two years after the initial control work is completed. The Herbicide Bank also supplies chemicals for initial control projects where land managers choose to do exotic removal in-house and request only herbicide funding through the Uplands Program. In the 2006 fiscal year, the Herbicide Bank provided assistance to over 60 land management units for initial or maintenance control at a total cost of over $1 million. Below is a summary of chemical costs and acres treated (rounded) for each Herbicide Bank project.

PROJECT Cost Acres PROJECT Cost Acres Wekiva River Basin $12,958 95 Lake Okeechobee SFWMD $37,940 150 Three Lakes WMA $7,517 15 Cayo Costa/IslandsGEOpark $2,674 145 Florida Keys State Parks $3,553 150 Lovers Key State Park $6,672 80 Tomoka State Park $986 75 Picayune State Forest $169,247 ,862 Volusia County $21,508 446 Fakahatchee Strand Preserve $9,336 ,201 Blue Spring State Park $1,908 13 Estero Bay Preserve $2,778 160 IRL Preserve/Sebastian Inlet $2,842 633 Sebastian River Preserve $3,512 93 Tree Hill Preserve $34 4 Indian River County $5,307 235 Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve $475 30 Ft Pierce Inlet State Park $2,753 102 Topsail Hill Preserve $1,997 10 Lake Louisa State Park $2,040 30 Eglin Air Force Base $2,300 50 Catfish Creek Preserve $589 4 Maclay Gardens $2,021 41 Circle B Bar $2,002 106 Phipps Preserve $2,781 351 Lake Wales Ridge Forest $2,002 75 Blackwater State Forest $19,606 763 Fisheating Creek WMA $7,443 n/a St. Marks NWR $2,603 211 Spirit of the Wild WMA $2,255 11 Blackwater Heritage State Trail $991 94 Homeland Tract $1,153 98 Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail $2,678 20 Seminole Forest $2,688 126 Big Lagoon/Tarkiln Bayou $2,029 85 Paynes Creek State Park $276 13 Caladesi/Honeymoon Islands $3,042 40 Silver River State Park $8,107 285 Hugh Taylor Birch State Park $2,478 15 Withlacoochee State Forest $9,353 350 JW Corbett WMA $751,802 53,663 Florida Parks District 2 $1,593 90 TOTALS: $1,125,830 62,020 acres

134 Uplands Program Operations Summary

Uplands Program Operations Summary 1997-2006

2005-2006 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 59,614 $105 $5-$29,288 2.15 0.11 Vines 4,018 $190 $42-$4,458 6.88 0.27 Shrubs-Grasses 13,268 $106 $13-$3,777 2.90 0.16 TOTALS 76,901 $109 $5-$29,228 2.56 0.13

2004-2005 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 68,141 $87 $4-$17,169 4.28 0.24 Vines 9,536 $104 $19-$1,783 4.88 0.19 Shrubs-Grasses 8,604 $121 $50-$6,071 3.03 0.19 TOTALS 86,281 $92 $4-$17,169 4.14 0.22

2003-2004 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 81,029 $63 $4-$33,300 4.09 0.31 Vines 5,080 $200 $23-$11,856 13.27 0.75 Shrubs-Grasses 10,884 $79 $9-$8,352 1.54 0.10 TOTALS 96,992 $141 $4-$33,300 3.75 0.26

2002-2003 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 16,036 $329 $36-$19,678 9.20 0.68 Vines 3,776 $318 $150-$7,577 21.36 1.60 Shrubs-Grasses 3,040 $237 $23-$1,480 21.88 1.55 TOTALS 22,852 $315 $23-$19,678 13.72 1.01

2001-2002 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 17,521 $350 $93-$21,667 21.91 0.99 Vines 1,776 $408 $234-$12,997 14.40 0.80 Shrubs-Grasses 3,092 $187 $19-$3,158 8.39 0.26 TOTALS 22,389 $322 $19-$21,667 17.73 0.80

135 Operations Summary

2000-2001 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 11,503 $228 $17-$4,918 4.91 0.30 Vines 985 $472 $98-$5,082 7.05 0.16 Shrubs-Grasses 494 $534 $35-$1,786 13.98 1.07 TOTALS 12,982 $258 $17-$5,082 5.39 0.31

1999-2000 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 1,964 $727 $60-$5,576 18.75 1.14 Vines 744 $675 $344-$5,186 13.67 1.15 Shrubs-Grasses 390 $808 $517-$2,256 13.81 1.44 TOTALS 3,098 $725 $60-$5,576 16.42 1.19

1998-1999 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 1,677 $489 $32-$2,696 18.01 1.03 Vines 804 $354 $149-$1,832 15.41 0.42 Shrubs-Grasses 597 $154 $54-$730 7.66 0.55 TOTALS 3,078 $389 $32-$2,696 15.32 0.78

1997-1998 Acres Controlled Cost/Acre Cost Range Hours/Acre Gal Product/Acre Trees 1,112 $486 $422-$1,167 25.25 0.39

Acres Controlled, Cost/Acre, and Cost Range include all control projects. Hours/Acre and Gal Product (herbicide)/Acre are estimated from completed Daily Progress Reports (not available for every project).

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