Conservation Lands Advisory Committee October 19, 2005 Roland DeBlois Chief of Environmental Planning & Code Enforcement Community Development Department Beth Powell Conservation Lands Manager Parks Division Public Works Department
Background 1990: Environmental Lands Program established; LAAC created. Primary Purpose of program: conservation of environmentally significant lands. 1991: 1 st conservation purchase (pre-bond) Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area (ORCA). 1992: $26 million bond referendum approved. 2000: full-time Conservation Lands Manager hired. 2004: $50 million bond referendum approved, program expanded to include historic/ cultural sites and agricultural lands. To Date: Approximately 7500 acres acquired in cost-share with other agencies
Purpose of the Environmental Lands Program Preserve quality of life Protect, preserve & sustain endangered ecosystems, rare & endangered species Protect ground water quality and quantity Provide flood protection Protect historic and cultural resources Provide compatible recreation
Conservation Lands Advisory Committee Consider and study how to best manage, conserve, maintain, utilize, protect and promote the County s Conservation Lands Advise the Board of County Commissioners at their request or upon its own initiative regarding existing Conservation Lands Consider all matters submitted to it by the Board of County Commissioners and submit proposed legislation, ordinances, and rules to the BCC Make recommendations to the BCC concerning land management, grant applications or other types of assistance from private and public groups to further the goals of the Committee Collaborate, coordinate and cooperate with County staff in order to further the goals and duties of the Committee
Types of Habitat Preserved Oceanfront
Types of Habitat Preserved Maritime Hammock
Types of Habitat Preserved Estuarine Wetlands
Types of Habitat Preserved Xeric Scrub
Types of Habitat Preserved Pine Flatwoods
Types of Habitat Preserved Freshwater Wetlands
Types of Habitat Preserved Hardwood Hammocks
Types of Habitat Preserved Natural Islands
Management Objectives Restore/Enhance Native Habitats Protect Endangered & Threatened Species Enhance Groundwater/Wetland Quality Remove/Treat Exotics Protect Historic and Archeological Resources Provide for Passive Recreation
Passive Recreational Opportunities Hiking/Walking
Passive Recreational Birdwatching Opportunities
Fishing Passive Recreational Opportunities
Passive Recreational Bicycling Opportunities
Passive Recreational Volunteering Opportunities
Passive Recreational Opportunities Nature photography
Passive Recreational Opportunities Nature appreciation
Passive Recreational Opportunities Environmental Education
Passive Recreational Opportunities Wildlife viewing
Conservation Areas Managed by IRC North Sebastian Conservation Area 407 acres Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area 111 acres Captain Forster Hammock Preserve 111 acres Kroegel Homestead ~3 acres Sebastian Scrub 10 acres Prange Islands 27 acres Lost Tree Islands 576 acres Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 298 acres South Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 66 acres + SORCA Link 6 acres Hallstrom Farmstead 93 acres Round Island South 59 acres Harmony Oaks 90 acres
Conservation Areas Managed by IRC The Conservation Lands Manager currently manages and maintains 15 Conservation Areas with assistance from the Parks Division. Approximately 2050 acres 7 Conservation Areas are opened to the public with Capital Improvements
Parks Division Assistance The Conservation Lands Manager works within the Parks Division in the Public Works Department. This allows for the use of Parks Division Staff and equipment to assist with the management of the Conservation Lands. During the winter and early spring, special projects can be accomplished using Parks Division Staff under the direction and supervision of the Conservation Lands Manager. Parks Division staff mow and maintain 5 Conservation Area parking areas weekly. Parks Division staff open and close 3 Conservation Area gates daily. Parks Division staff clean the restrooms at Pelican Island NWR and Captain Forster Hammock Preserve daily. Parks Division staff removes garbage from 5 conservation areas daily. Parks Division staff maintains Joe Earman Island Camp site weekly.
North Sebastian Conservation Area 407 Acres Xeric scrub, Pine flatwoods, Freshwater wetlands, Seasonal Wet Prairies Part of the Sebastian Area-Wide Scrub Jay Habitat Conservation Plan Important Species on Site: Florida Scrub Jay Gopher Tortoise Gopher Frog Scrub Lizard Osprey Wood Stork Listed Plant Species Giant Orchid Many Tillandsia spp. Curtiss Milkweed
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge 168 Acres - USFWS manages 2 Parking Areas and 1 Restroom Parks Division maintains daily
Sebastian Canoe Launch 95 acres Managed by Sebastian River Buffer Preserve Park Staff Parking, picnic facilities and canoe launch are managed by Parks Division Staff
111 acres River to Oceanfront Property Maritime Hammock, Forested wetlands, coastal dune 1.5 miles of trails 1 restroom and parking facility, maintained daily; parking area maintained weekly Captain Forster Hammock Preserve
Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area 111 acres of Xeric Scrub, Pine Flatwoods, Freshwater Wetlands Animal Species Florida Scrub Jay Gopher Tortoise Scrub Lizard Gopher Frog Plant Species Large Flowering False Rosemary
Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area 509 acres spoil and natural islands
Prange Islands Conservation Area 27 acres Boat dock Natural Island, Maritime Hammock
Olso Riverfront Conservation Area 298 acres Maritime Hammock, Scrubby Flatwoods, Estuarine Wetlands, Freshwater Wetlands 1.5 mile trail system Boardwalks and Observation Tower Educational Signage
South Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 66 Acres.5 mile trail Listed Animal Species Bald Eagle Osprey Gopher Tortoise Listed Plant Species Curtiss Milkweed Large Flowering False Rosemary
Harmony Oaks Conservation Area 96 Acres Maritime Hammock, Forested Wetlands, Estuarine Wetlands
155 Acres Oyster Bar Salt Marsh Conservation Area Estuarine Wetlands, Maritime Hammock, Impounded Wetlands
Round Island South Conservation Area 65 acres Maritime Hammock, Estuarine Wetlands, Impounded Wetlands Listed species Simpson s Stopper
Flinn Tract 36 Acres Maritime Hammock, Estuarine Wetlands, Impounded Wetland
Hallstrom Farmstead 93 Acres Conceptual Site Plan includes a working historic farm, tours of the Hallstrom home and nature trails. Lakela s Mint Federally Endangered Northern most known population on protected land
Conservation Lands Currently Opened to the Public with Capital Development Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area South Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area Captain Forster Hammock Preserve Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge North and South Prange Island Conservation Area Sebastian Canoe Launch Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area - Joe Earman Island (temporarily closed due to hurricane damage)
Slated for Capital Improvements North Sebastian Conservation Area Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area Harmony Oaks Conservation Area Round Island South Conservation Area
North Sebastian Conservation Area Public Access Improvements Received a Land & Water Conservation Fund grant through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for $103,000 to provide passive recreation opportunities on the NSCA with County match.
What does a Conservation Lands Manager Do? Manage Conservation Areas 45% Time Scrub Jay Monitoring Exotic Treatment Trail Maintenance Patrolling Species Inventories Prescribed Burning Structure Repair & Maintenance
What does a Conservation Lands Manager Do? Education 25% Time Public Speaking Pelican Island Elementary School Written media Brochures, Website, Press Journal
What does a Conservation Lands Manager Do? Management Plans & Grants 25% Florida Communities Trust Annual Stewardship Reports Grant Writing & Compliance Annual Reports for St. Johns Water Management District (County mitigation projects) General Administrative 5% Attend training, conferences and other meetings
Management Accomplishments to Date Sebastian Area-Wide Florida Scrub Jay Habitat Conservation Plan approved in March 2000. Scrub Jay monitoring and habitat monitoring for all conservation areas included in the HCP. Timbered North Sebastian Conservation Area, Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area and Pelican Island Elementary School. Conducted prescribed burns at the Conservation Areas listed above. Firebreaks installed at Wabasso Scrub CA, North Sebastian CA, Pelican Island Elementary School Scrub Habitat and Hallstrom Farmstead. Over 20 off-site wetland mitigation projects underway on various conservation areas by private developers, eradicating and improving County owned and managed wetlands. Prange Islands dock built by a grant through the Florida Inland Navigation District.
Management Accomplishments to Date continued Public access improvements completed at Pelican Island Viewing Area, Pelican Island Welcome Center and Captain Forster Hammock Preserve. Improvements include 2 restroom facilities, 3 parking areas, trails and educational material. Fencing installed at North Sebastian Conservation Area, Hallstrom Farmstead and the Flinn Tract. Ongoing treatment and eradication of exotics on all Conservation Areas. Boardwalks constructed at Oslo Riverfront Conservation area. Discovered Lakela s Mint, Curtiss Milkweed and Giant Orchid Conservation Lands. Received $103,000 grant for public access improvements to North Sebastian Conservation Area