Natural Lands Conservation and Managment
Most of the individual plants shown are rare -- how many can you name? (answers below)
In order of presentation:
- Florida goldenaster, Chrysopsis floridana (rare). By Cindy Campbell.
- Florida semaphore cactus, Opuntia spinosissima (rare). By Shirley Denton.
- Clasping warea, Warea amplexifolia (rare). By Jackie Rolly.
- Pine lily, Lilium catesbeyi (rare). By Shirley Denton.
- Scrub lupine, Lupinus westianus var. aridorum (rare). By Cindy Campbell.
- Early in Emeralda Marsh restoration project. By Jo Anna Emmanuel.
- Sky-blue lupine, Lupinus diffusus. By Jackie Rolly.
- Florida goldenaster, Chrysopsis floridana (rare). By Cindy Campbell.
- Early in Emeralda Marsh restoration project. By Jo Anna Emmanuel.
- Curtiss' milkweed, Asclepias curtissii (rare). By Shirley Denton.
- Land management review. By Marty Roessler.
- Thread-leaf sundew. Drosera filiformis (rare). By Shirley Denton.
- White birds-in-a-nest, Macbridea alba (rare). By Shirley Denton.
- Fame flower. Macranthera flamminea (rare). By Shirley Denton.
- Sandhill after burn. By Shirley Denton.
- Clasping warea, Warea amplexifolia (rare). By Shirley Denton.
- Cutthroat grass, Panicum ascissum (rare). By Beryn Hardy.
- Type of cow grown by early Florida ranchers at historic exhibit at Kissimmee State Park land management review. By Rick Joyce.
- New restoration planting of applecactus, Harrisia fragrans (rare). By Jon Moore.
- Applecactus, Harrisia fragrans (rare). By Jon Moore.
- Pine flatwoods with fall flowers encouraged by an earlier management burn. By Peg Urban.
- Controlled burn in xeric pine forest -- important to maintaining natural diversity. By Shirley Denton.
- Carter's mustard, Warea carteri (rare) By Shirley Denton
- Giant wildpine, Tillandsia utriculata (rare). By Shirley Denton.
FNPS focuses on conservation including the protection of native lands and management of those lands as this is key to protecting our native flora.
Land Management Partners (LMP) Committe
Florida's 3.8 million acres of conservation lands require active stewardship to maintain them as viable ecosystems and as places for people to use for educational and recreational purposes. As part of this process, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) conducts periodic reviews of state properties acquired under voter-initiated conservation purchases. In 2009-2010, FNPS members played a part in 87% of these reviews and are scheduling participation at a rate of 100% for 2010-11. On site land management reviews ensure that the property is being cared for in accordance with approved management plans. The success of our reviews of FDEP properties led several of Florida's Water Management Districts to request our services for reviews of their own Land Management Plans. The success of the Land Management Partners Committee (LMP) led to its establishment as a stand alone committee in 2010.
Supporting Public Conservation Land Acquisition
For many years, FNPS has supported state and local acquisition of conservation lands. We operate at both the state and local level to support public acquisition and appropriate management of lands that protect intact ecosystems, native flora, and wildlife. At the state level, FNPS was a participant in the renewal of the Florida Forever Program, and has supported the ongoing funding of land acquisition programs.
The Policy and Legislation committee worked tirelessly in Tallahassee in 2010. Although only $15 million was allotted for the Florida Forever program, FNPS played an important role in securing it -- a great improvement over the $0 budgeted in 2009.
FNPS helped motivate Defenders of Wildlife, Audubon of Florida, The Nature Conservancy and the Florida Wildlife Federation to jointly object to inappropriate surplussing of Suwannee River Water Management Land. Ultimately the Department of Environmental Protection and the Governor's office agreed with our position, and the issue of the value of those lands is now being reconsidered.
Invasive Plant Control
FNPS was one of the first non-profit organizations to become a signatory of the new Florida Invasive Species Partnership, and in 2010, FNPS worked with other members of the partnership to implement common goals for the control of invasive plants.
Grants for Conservation Projects
FNPS annually provides grants for conservation projects leading to the conservation of Florida native plants and preservation or enhancement of their habitats. These grants are funded through our general membership fees, and from targeted donations from individuals and chapters. Beginning in 2013, there will be a strong focus on Florida's endangered, threatened, and rare species and their habitats.
Apply for a Conservation Grant
The list below lists recent projects that we have funded.
-
Reintroduction of the Fragrant Prickly Apple-Cactus, St. Lucie County -
Dr. Jon A. Moore of Florida Atlantic University, sponsored by the (2011)
Harrisia fragrans, an endangered endemic cactus, has disappeared as development covered the Atlantic Ridge where it formerly made its home. Fruits from a mature cactus, harvested and carefully grown out for four years, were ready to be planted. Two protected sites in the cactus’s former range were selected and planting was set for spring of 2011.
The new populations will be the subject of further investigation, including studies by students in a science-magnet high school. One of the sites is located in a xeriscape garden near the Marine and Oceanographic Academy in St. Lucie County where the public can be introduced to this rare species, which many have never seen before.
-
Extension and funding increase for the 2010 Conservation Grant Winner Reintroduction of the Harrisia fragrans cactus, Indian River County & northern St. Lucie County
-
Dr. Jon A. Moore of Florida Atlantic University, sponsored by the (2011)
The endangered endemic cactus (Harrisia fragrans) is found on well-drained shell mounds and sandy scrub habitat on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in eastern Florida. Along much of its range the species was extirpated due to development on the coastal ridge itself. Dr. Jon A. Moore of Florida Atlantic University Wilkes Honor College seeks to re-establish populations of this endangered cactus at two protected sites in the middle of the species' former range. These populations will be used for long-term studies of growth, age of first flowering, and other biological parameters. The specimens at one site will be used for educational purposes and to increase public awareness of this species. Dr. Moore formally requested an increase in funding for his current grant to reintroduce Harrisia fragrans cacti and an extension in the grant project period. The extra money and time were requested because of a substantial, but unanticipated, increase in the scale of this project
-
Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area (EMCA) Hardwood Restoration Project, Lake County
-
Jo Anna Emanuel, Land Resource Planner, Division of Land Management, St. Johns River Water Management District, sponsored by the Lake Beautyberry Chapter (2011)
The project area includes approximately 11 acres of historic floodplain/hardwood swamp that through historic agricultural land uses is void of hardwood/wetland trees. The project goals are to reestablish a mixed palette of wetland hardwood trees bare root seedlings. Site preparation techniques have/will include mowing and herbicide applications to gain control of offsite and invasive species.
