2009-2010 Exotic Plant Control Project Florida Conservation Lands

1. Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park Initial Treatment ProjectFlorida Dept of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks 2009-2010 Exotic Plant Control Project Florida Conservation Lands

3. Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force Project Ranking Form • Scoring _____ Cost-sharing/Matching funds >1:1 = 5 <1-.75):1 = 4 <.75-.5:1 = 3 <.5-.25:1 = 2 <.25-.01):1 = 1 0:1 = 0 Overseeing Contractors Biologist: 4 trips/wk, 1 hrs/trip for ~ 2 wks, $21.69/hr = $ 173.52 Gas: 10 miles/trip, 4 trips/wk, 2 wks, 1 gal/16 miles, $2.45/gal = $ 12.25 Manager: 2 trip/wk, 1 hrs/trip for ~ 2 wks, $30.45/hr = $ 121.80 Gas: 10 miles/trip, 2 trip/wk, 2 wks, 1 gal/16 miles, $2.45/gal = $ 6.13 District 5 Exotic team work Biologist: 1 trip, 40 hrs/trip, $21.69/hr = $ 867.60 Techs: (3) 1 trip, 40 hrs/trip, $20.12/hr = $ 2,414.40 Herbicide: 5 gal herbicide/trip, 1 trip, ~ $122.00/gal herbicide = $ 610.00 Gas: 1 trip, 309.08 miles/trip, 1 gal/16 miles, $2.45/gal= $ 47.33 Total Matching funds: (.25-.01:1) = $ 4,253.03 _____ Target species recognized as highly invasive and control method developed Cat. I with CCT’s developed = 5 Cat. II with CCT’s = 3 Not on FLEPPC list and not recognized as invasive in Keys=0 Sapodilla, Brazilian pepper, Seaside Mahoe, and Australian Pine are the main category 1 plants that will be targeted. Though all other category 1 and 2 species will be treated upon discovery.

4. _____ Benefits essential habitat of threatened or endangered species (consider direct vs. indirect benefits, number and status of species affected, etc.) Habitat area is essential for species = 5 Habitat area is used by wide ranging species = 3 Habitat area is marginal is in a highly disturbed area = 1 There are Endangered Tree Snail and White-crowned Pigeons located within these parcels. _____ Restoration potential (consider native vegetation on site, seed bank present, secured funds for replanting, etc.) Applicant has applied restoration efforts = 5 Applicant has pledged restoration efforts = 3 Applicant has pledged no restoration efforts = 0 Some of the sites are near enough to healthy hammock to recruit naturally. The other sites will need to be replanted as much of the parcels will be almost clear-cut due to the density of exotics. Re-vegetation plants will be supplied by the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park Nursery. Planting events will be completed through volunteers and park staff. These types of restoration events have occurred after previous BIPM projects.

5. _____ Public education program linked to project (visibility, interpretation, signage) Direct public education effort is linked to project = 5 General public education effort is occurring = 3 No public education effort is occurring = 0 - Adjacent landowners to the project locations will be notified that an exotic plant removal project will be taking place within nearby state lands. A letter will be given that contains information about why the project is taking place, websites to learn more about exotic and native plants within Key Largo, as well as contact information of the project manager if they have any questions. - A sign saying “Invasive Exotic Plant Removal and Native Plant Restoration Area” will also be placed in the location of the contractor’s workers while they work within highly visible locations. Nursery volunteers participate in a minimum of 3 public events per year giving out material and educating on the importance of using native plants and the harms of invasive exotic plants. - JPCRSP conducts a Native Plant Day event once a year which hosts booths and lectures discussing the exotics and native plants. - JPCRSP/DJKLHBSP interpretive program includes the ‘Delicate Balance of Nature Series’ which is a free lecture series that often includes at least one lecture discussing exotic plants and has a native plant raffle at each lecture to promote the use of native plants. - Field rangers also engage and educate the public about exotic and native plants on a regular basis. _____ Project helps protect adjacent healthy natural areas Project is within a healthy natural area = 5 Project abuts natural area = 3 Project within 1 mile of natural area = 2 Project within 10 miles of natural area = 1 Project not within 10 miles of natural area = 0 All project areas abut or are within 1 mile of natural areas.

6. _____ Project manager committed to total eradication (consider history of effective exotics management, active participation in Task Force, etc.) Project manager highly committed = 3 Project manager somewhat committed = 1 Project manager not committed = 0 The Florida Park Service is highly committed to the removal of exotic species on state lands and actively participated in the Task Force, and will continue to do so in the future. _____ Project fosters cooperation among Private Landowners Project manager has directly engaged private landowners in removal efforts = 5 Project manager has pledged to engage private landowners in removal = 3 Project manager does not plan to engage private landowners in removal = 0 Private landowners who are noticed to have exotic plants that appear to be spreading onto state lands within this project will be verbally engaged onto the hazards the plants are causing the natural area and given information on invasive exotic plants verses native plants. _____ First Time Project for Agency/Project Manager = 5 This is not a first time project.