Projects & Success Stories for the Green Swamp CISMA
Success Stories:
Conducted helicopter survey of Green Swamp area in January 2009 and detected six new OWCF infestations. A new infestation on public land has already been treated. One on private property has already signed up for treatment through CFLS, thanks to other partners making the initial contacts with the owners and referring the program to them.
SWFWMD assisted DEP with treatment of a dense infestation of OWCF on the Colt Creek property. This joint effort made equipment available that greatly simplified the treatment of this infestation.
Started a project to recruit and train FDOF fire/smoke pilots to also look for Lygodium infestations during over flights. Colleen Werner at Withlacoochee State Forest has begun the implementation of this project.
Developed a poster that will be used to alert people in the Green Swamp area about OWCF, where to go for more information and who to contact to report any observations.
An “Outreach Package” is in the works. This information will be presented personally to the extension agents and foresters in the six-county area. Extension staff will be informed of the Green Swamp CISMA effort and the Central Florida Lygodium Strategy effort. During these meetings, opportunities for additional cooperative outreach efforts will be discussed. The package will include copies of the poster, one-page flyers for homeowners to teach identification and control techniques, and contact information for the CISMA.
