Projects & Success Stories of Heartland CISMA

Successes include

Successful history of working together in the past as the Lake Wales Ridge Invasive Species Working Group. The Heartland CISMA formed easily, as a natural progression from an already active partnership working to address invasives in the Lake Wales Ridge region.
Coordinated aerial surveys in 2004, 2006 and 2008 for Lygodium spp. and other invasive plants on partners’ lands and adjacent private lands.
Committed to have aerial survey in 2010.
Supported the formation of the Central Florida Lygodium Strategy, making it possible for private property owners to get assistance in treating invasive Lygodium spp. Also supported creative surveys for locating infestations, such as Rights-of-Way surveys and wetlands mapping.
2004: As the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystems Working Group (LWREWG), this partnership launched the Central Florida Lygodium strategy under the administration of The Nature Conservancy. To date, the Strategy has treated nearly 2000 acres of Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) infestations on private properties in the CISMA.
2004: Successful aerial survey by helicopter for invasives, provided through South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and other partners in the LWREWG.
2006: Polk County produces a map of invasive plants along Rights of Ways in that county!
2006: Another successful aerial survey for invasives produced through partnership with SFWMD, LWREWG, and supplemented this year with aerial survey data from Southwest Florida Water Management District.
2007: Training materials refined to assist surveyors in identifying Old World climbing fern from the air.
2008: Aerial survey successfully repeated for the Lake Wales region. To obtain this data, please contact us.
2009: LWREWG Invasives Committee officially becomes the Heartland CISMA.
2010: Highlands County Soil & Water Conservation District, working with the Lake Wales Ridge Rangers, hosted an Air Potato exchange day during National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Over 1000 pounds of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) were exchanged for native plants!
2010: Strategic Planning subcommittee produced a draft 5-year plan and timeline.
2010: Aerial survey this year provided by Avon Park Air Force Range. Not a helicopter survey this time – HCISMA partners learn new tricks for surveying from the air!