Babcock Ranch Preserve – Natural Resources

1. Babcock Ranch Preserve – Natural Resources Forest Ecologist January 13, 2016

2. BRP Statute and Management • Ch. 259 FS • This section authorizes the acquisition of the state’s portion of the Babcock Crescent B Ranch in order to protect and preserve for future generationsthe scientific, scenic, historic, and natural values of the ranch, including rivers and ecosystems; to protect and preserve the archaeological, geological, and cultural resources of the ranch; to provide for species recovery; and to provide opportunities for public recreation compatible with the working ranch and agricultural activities conducted on the property. • Provides specific framework for management • Resource management and ranch management are not mutually exclusive

3. BRP Natural Communities

4. Natural Community Management • Adaptive management at ecosystem level • No natural communities converted to pasture or other altered community types • Prescribed fire • Dormant and growing season • Benefits • Timber management • Understory/fuels • Invasive species management • Identify, map, treat, monitor • Internal and external funds

5. Topography & Soils • Topography relatively flat • Elevations range 15’ – 60’ above MSL • Soils predominately hydric • Poorly drained • Acidic • Gives rise to plant communities on BRP • Any restoration designed to enhance ecological integrity • In conjunction with ranch management

6. Water Resources • BRP water resources important: • Everglades ecosystem • Caloosahatchee River and estuary • Designated 2 watersheds • Tidal Caloosahatchee • Trout Creek • Owl Creek • Telegraph Creek • Western Caloosahatchee • Fichter Branch • Cypress Creek • Spanish Creek • No Outstanding Florida Waters on BRP • All designated Class III • Various forested/non-forested wetland communities

7. Water Protection • Statutory requirement to protect water resources (Ch. 259) • Work with cooperators on water resources • Groundwater and surface water • SFWMD, FDEP, Lee Co., FDACS-OAWP • Dispersed Water Storage Project • Development of monitoring criteria and frequency for environmental impacts • Meet or exceed all standards of applicable Best Management Practices

8. Water Protection • Adaptive management approach to water resources and protection • Minimize soil erosion and wetland impacts • Identification of potential contamination sources • Maintain existing water control structures • No silvicultural activities in forested wetlands/riparian areas • Salvage exception

9. Wildlife Resources • Manage the natural communities on BRP to conserve and enhance: • Game and non-game wildlife • Plants • Rare, threatened, and endangered species • Close cooperation and coordination with FWC on wildlife • Monitoring of wildlife resources • Specialized management tactics as necessary

10. Wildlife Resources • Close coordination and cooperation with FWC to: • Provide updates to FNAI inventory (2008) • Develop and implement species survey and monitoring protocols • Revise RCW management plan • Conduct RCW management activities • Improve RCW foraging habitat and protect RCW trees from fire where practical and prudent

11. Wildlife Resources • Close coordination and cooperation with FWC to: • Seek funding for more thorough plant and animal surveys • Develop an overall imperiled species management strategy for BRP • Consistent with existing strategies • E.g., Florida panther, crested caracara • Wildlife BMPs for Agriculture and Silviculture • Maintain existing bat houses • All activities will involve cooperative efforts between FWC, FFS and the ranch managers

12. Questions?