Updates

Archived IHN Updates

Winter 2009 - Spring 2010

• The Integrated Habitat Network (IHN) covers thousands of acres of natural areas along the rivers and streams of west-central Florida. To identify the protected IHN lands a special marker was created. “Lands protected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with landowners” informs visitors of the IHN boundaries. The IHN boundaries are shared with private landowners, including ranchers, developers and mining companies (such as the one pictured below). These IHN stakeholders share in the responsibilities involved in protecting the conservation areas from disturbances.
• A ruby throated Hummingbird was photographed at our Native Nursery during a recent visit from Florida Institute of Phosphate Research’s Dr. Steve Richardson.
• Staff participated and provided restoration expertise at a National Wild Turkey Federation sponsored Landowner workshop that occurred at local neighbor Tom Winkler’s property. Topics included restoration plantings that benefit wildlife and nuisance/exotics species management techniques.
• Thousands of pines and cypress were planted this season in IHN lands, primarily at the Homeland Tract and Tenoroc Fish Management Area. Volunteer efforts aided tremendously in this activity. If you wish to volunteer in our nursery or planting effort, please contact us at 863-534-7077.
• Charles Cook worked with Southwest Middle School’s Deb Porter and her 6th Grade Science class to explore part of the Peace River Watershed, specifically Gator Sink.
• Rocky Salzer received his Certified Prescribed Burn Manager’s License from Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Prescribed burning is a necessary management process for many habitats in the IHN.
• A large volunteer organization, the Ridge Rangers, run by FWC, has become interested in assisting at Tenoroc and possibly a number of other areas throughout the IHN.
• An invasive exotic species that we had not previously seen in our mitigation monitoring was reported in the monitoring data for a phosphate mitigation site in the IHN. The species is Skunk Vine (Paederia foetida). Please see: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/303 for more information (great video) on this species.
• Wetland Evaluations of mining reclamation/mitigation are complete in the Peace River Basin as part of the recommendations of the Peace River Basin Resource Management Plan. This project will be summarized as a report and submitted to the Peace River Basin Management Advisory Committee this summer(see below).
• Meetings continue quarterly with the Peace River Basin Management Advisory Committee. For updates visit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/mines/prbmac.htm.

The Committee will review the action items proposed in the Peace River Basin Resource Management Plan and assist the implementing agencies in determining steps needed to accomplish the goal of reducing and reversing cumulative environmental impacts. The next meeting is scheduled for June 2010.

• BMMR staff members are currently involved in a study with the NRCS Plant Materials Center and Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC to test “whips” as an efficient way to plant a large and diverse array of shrub species into wetland and mesic areas. Since the study is showing some promise, the methodology will soon be expanded into IHN areas at Tenoroc.
• In December 2009, we were saddened by the loss of Professional Geologist, Tom Jackson, who was a great advocate of Peace River restoration efforts. He was President of the Southeastern Geological Society and friend to many. Tom often shared little things that make life wonderful such as the “Sour Orange Pie” recipe passed down by his mother. Tom occasionally harvested enough wild oranges from the trees growing near Kissengen Spring to make his favorite dessert.

A tribute to Tom can be seen at the Southeastern Geological Society website archives at the following link: http://segs.org/2010/03/

• BMMR recently acquired the former Department of Juvenile Justice facility located directly east of our current facility along the Peace River south of Bartow. The Polk County School Board has entered into a sublease with the Department and there are plans to renovate the building and possibly create a Natural Areas Academy. Currently fire management and restoration plantings are being conducted on this new site. Polk County Leisure Services recently constructed a floating canoe launch in this area of the river. The launch is not yet open to the public but is being utilized by resource managers.
• Staff continues to offer educational tours of our Homeland Office and adjacent conservation lands regarding Phosphate Reclamation education and Restoration Efforts.
• Homeland Bee Houses—two bee houses set up last summer have been occupied by wild bees. Reed-bundle type has attracted mason bees (and one vine snake); bored-block type has attracted leafcutter bees; they have emerged now that the weather warms. Also, some native plants with flowers of particular interest to wild bees are being propagated and planted at Homeland—wild-pennyroyal, false-rosemary, leatherflowers, Simpson’s stopper, wild-blueberries, blackberry, dewberry, swamp rose, and many herbaceous wildflowers.
• Homeland Cogongrass Control—a map has been prepared of the cogon patches; mowing by tractor and brush-mower has been done around trees of all sizes to reduce cogon-fire damage to them in the prescribed burns that were conducted shortly after. Herbiciding of the cogongrass occurs once it shows post-fire regrowth; direct seeding and plantings are planned once the cogongrass is eradicated.
• Staff recently expanded the Homeland Nursery capabilities, by creating native mother plant gardens within our property. The “mother plants” within the gardens will be maintained to offer seed and cuttings for nursery operations and reclamation activities within the IHN. Initial notes include high occurrences of desirable pollinators.
• Invasive plant maintenance continues in the IHN; specifically in the Hardee Lakes Conservation Easement. Hardee County has been a wonderful cooperator in keeping the boardwalk maintained to continue providing the opportunity to see deer, wild turkey, migratory birds, and white pelicans, on this reclaimed forested area.
• Staff attended/manned booths at several events including: A fossil dig at the Fall 2009 Tenoroc Kids Festival, an educational booth and fossil dig at the 2009 Water Wings & Wild Things at the Polk Nature Discovery Center.

For Upper Peace River Saddle Creek Restoration Project

• Monitoring of wetland success, and maintenance continued at the North Lake Parker wetland (Phase I planting at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area).
• As part of the Upper Peace River/Saddle Creek Restoration Project Phase II a 295 acre project (Myrtlewood) was completed to build Polk Parkway mitigation wetlands and habitat creation. This project was a co-funded partnerships with FWC AHRES program which aids in the creation of Waterfowl habitat and also allowed monies to be spent towards creation and enhancement of Gopher Tortoise habitat. Maintenance continues on the constructed wetlands and sandhill. Further enhancement of flatwoods restoration will continue as a buffer to this project.
• Work in the 715-acre Phase III-A portion of the Upper Peace River/Saddle Creek Restoration Project began on February 15, 2010.
• A local Boy Scout troop helped plant 500 pines and 250 wiregrass plugs in a recently burned sandhill at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area.
• The Florida Division of Forestry nursery donated hundreds of three gallon trees to Tenoroc. The trees have been planted over a number of Tenoroc project sites
• Staff members coordinated with Central Florida Audubon to have wintering sparrow habitat planted at Bridgewater (a portion of Tenoroc Fish Management Area). These plots will provide necessary forage for the species.
• For future updates on this project please visit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/mines/upr/index.htm