Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Coastal Program Agreement 2008-09
Project Summary:
Viewing the extensive problems associated with invasive, non-native species as a top habitat conservation priority, land managers along the "Treasure Coast" of Florida have established a regional partnership to cooperatively address the threats of invasive plants and animals. The Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (TC CISMA) partnership extends from Indian River County south through St. Lucie, Martin and northern Palm Beach Counties and includes representatives and land managers from local, state and federal governments; including the Florida Park Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Indian River County, Martin County, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management, Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority, South Florida Water Management District, St. Lucie County, St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District, The Nature Conservancy, the Treasure Coast Resource Conservation and Development, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and University of Florida/IFAS.
The TC CISMA has proposed a pilot project along ten miles of beach/dune, coastal strand, maritime hammock and mangrove swamp in order to foster a cooperative approach to invasive species management. Invasive, non-native plants, such as Scaevola taccada (beach naupaka or exotic half flower), Casuarina equisetifolia (Australian pine), Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper) and other Florida Exotic Pest Plan Council Category I and II species disrupt and negatively impact dune ecosystems by displacing native dune stabilizing and rare species, and forming dense monotypic stands. Additionally, these invasive species promote erosion with their shallow root systems that easily become uprooted during storm or high wave events.
In addition to typical contract labor activities to remove targeted invasive, non-native species, the partners within the TC CISMA have proposed several cooperative workdays to share information and resources and to help reduce costs. Also, an important part of this agreement is for the TC CISMA partners to increase awareness of invasive, non-native species to private property owners adjacent to public lands. Specifically, TC CISMA partners will develop a brochure targeted at educating private property owners adjacent to public lands and will work together to identify and implement small removal projects on adjacent private landowner's property. Scaevola taccada was commonly used as a coastal landscape plant, which necessitates more complex educational techniques for eradication on private lands.
Funds from this Cooperative Agreement will assist in the implementation of the "Treasure Coast Dune Invasive Plant Removal Project". The objective of this project is the removal of invasive, non-native vegetation from approximately 158 acres of dune systems within natural areas in northern Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties. Specifically, project partners will utilize Coastal Program funds for contractual work to remove designated invasive, non-native species on predetermined public and private lands.