Transcript on Babcock Ranch Preserve Natural Resources

Babcock Ranch Preserve – Natural Resources
Brian Camposano
Forest Ecologist
January 13, 2016
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
generations the 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
BRP Natural Communities
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
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
Water Resources
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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
Water Protection
• Statutory requirement to protect water
resources (Ch. 259)
• Work with cooperators on water resources
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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
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
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
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
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
Questions?