Conservation Lands Program Update July 2017

Transcription

1 Conservation Lands Program Update July 2017 Beth Powell Conservation Lands Manager Wendy Swindell Conservation Lands Technician

2 IRC Environmental Lands CONSERVATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW In 1990, the County began taking steps to conserve significant natural resources that might otherwise be subject to development. The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) appointed a Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (LAAC) to advise the Board on land acquisition matters. Voters approved an ad valorem tax bond referendum of up to $26 million in 1992 to fund the program. A second bond referendum of $50 million was subsequently approved by voters.

3 IRC Environmental Lands CONSERVATION LANDS PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Protect, preserve & sustain endangered ecosystems, including protected species Restore &enhance native habitats Preserve quality of life Protect groundwater quality and quantity Provide flood protection Protect historic and cultural resources Provide compatible recreation

4 IRC Environmental Lands To date there are over 11,900 acres in permanent protection through the County s acquisitions and partnerships with other agencies. Approx. 2,300 acres are managed by Indian River County Approx. 5,600 acres are managed by other agencies through leases or other management agreements 3,761 acres are Conservation Easements

5 Open to the Public Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area South Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area Ansin Tract & Canoe Launch Prange Island Conservation Area Captain Forester Hammock Preserve North Sebastian Conservation Area Harmony Oaks Conservation Area Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area Round Island South Conservation Area Sebastian Scrub Conservation Area Indian River Lagoon Greenway (Flinn Tract) Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area (Joe Earman Island)

6 Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area 28 Acres NE of Intersection of CR510 and CR 512

7 Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area Purchased by Indian River County in 2005, the Ansin CA was an important link in augmenting the buffer for water quality protection and wildlife corridors in the watershed of the St. Sebastian River. The acquisition also serves to provide a pedestrian connection and greenway between CR 512 and the Trans- Florida Central Railroad grade to the existing County canoe launch park, and the 23,000 acre St. Sebastian Preserve State Park. The site contains a walking trail meandering through mesic and scrubby flatwoods, mature live oak hammock, and a tributary of the River.

8 Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area Flowing Creek Trans Florida RR Corridor Mature Oak Hammock

9 Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area A large percentage of the upland habitat within our preserves is potential habitat for Florida gopher tortoises The County is pursuing grant funds to develop recipient sites for relocation of gopher tortoises, including possible use of the Ansin Riverfront CA as a waif tortoise site The County has undertaken management to enhance this habitat for resident tortoises as well as those we are able to relocate

10 Captain Forster Hammock Preserve 110 Acres South of Wabasso Causeway on A1A

11 Captain Forster Hammock Preserve Opened to the public on February 17, 2003, in honor of Theodore Roosevelt who began this Country s conservation movement by creating the National Wildlife Refuge System. The CFHP was purchased in 1996 with a 50/50 cost share between the State of Florida and Indian River County Purchase price was $12M Indian River County has a 50-year management plan lease The State Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund are the 100% title owners

12 Captain Forster Hammock Preserve o Captain Frank Forster settled in the area in the 1880 s, and founded the town of Orchid o The Preserve is part of his homestead, which stretched from the Lagoon to the Ocean o He was famous for his citrus grove and other crops o The site is known for providing refuge for migrating songbirds, and many other species o Walking Trails meander through one of the largest remaining Maritime Hammocks in the County o The Preserve also contains hydric hammock, tidal mangroves, depressional marshes, and coastal strand

13 Harmony Oaks Conservation Area 90 Acres East of US 1 in Southern IRC

14 Harmony Oaks Conservation Area o Preservation of the site provides a buffer to the adjacent Indian River Lagoon o Contains a mixture of coastal hammock, freshwater wetlands, and mangrove swamp o Existing trail meanders through freshwater wetlands and hammock o Planned boardwalks will connect the existing trail to the Lagoon, and will include an overlooks of an existing mangrove pond & the Lagoon shoreline

15 Indian River Lagoon Greenway 37 Acres NE of the Intersection of IR Blvd. & 8 th St.

16 Indian River Lagoon Greenway o Acquired in 1998 through a joint effort of the County, FIND & the Indian River Land Trust o Part of the Greenway Effort to provide buffer to the Indian River Lagoon o Network of trails traverses a beautiful maritime hammock and a boardwalk through the mangroves o Eastern end of the mangrove trail includes an overlook of the Lagoon

17 North Sebastian Conservation Area 407Acres NW of Main St. & US 1

18 North Sebastian Conservation Area Purchase between 1996 & 1999 in a joint effort of the County and Florida Communities Trust Purchased to preserve and restore scrub and wetland habitat Part of the Sebastian Area-Wide HCP Unique opportunities currently not available at any other Conservation Area in the County, e.g. off-road bicycling, horseback riding, freshwater fishing and an extensive trail system of over 5 miles Observation deck overlooking freshwater marsh/wet prairie area; kayak launch off of Gibson Street

19 North Sebastian Conservation Area Purchased primarily to preserve and provide management for scrub islands in the region, which form integral components in the plan for protection of habitat within the Atlantic Coastal Ridge The project contains 12 natural community types including sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods and oak scrub Approximately 31% of the conservation area is classified as rare or imperiled both globally and statewide by the FNAI and FDEP Approved by the FWC as a recipient site for gopher tortoises approved to be taken through Incidental Take Permits planned relocation in March/April 2017

20 North Sebastian Conservation Area Wildlife you may encounter.

21 Oslo Riverfront/South Oslo Conservation Areas 441 Acres East of Oslo Rd. & U.S. 1

22 Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area The first Conservation Area in the County, this property was acquired in 1991 as a joint purchase by the County & the SJRWMD One of the components of the greenway that serves to provide a water quality and habitat buffer to the Lagoon Facilities include boardwalks, observation tower, canoe launch, educational information and trailhead, approximately 1-mile of trails and parking As with several of the County s Conservation Areas, ORCA is part of the great Florida Birding Trail ( Trail.com)

23 Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area This Conservation Area includes a mosaic of native communities including maritime hammock, mesic & scrubby flatwoods, cabbage palm hammock, and estuarine wetlands A walk through the scrubby flatwoods may reveal the "Awesome Pine" which has been documented as the largest Slash Pine in the world! A walk along the "Hammock Loop" trail provides a view of dense maritime hammock full of neo-tropical songbirds, native songbirds, woodpeckers, hawks, squirrels and maybe a raccoon, armadillo or opossum!

24 South Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area This 143-acre preserve includes a wonderful mixture of pine flatwoods, mature coastal hammock, scrubby flatwoods and mangrove wetlands. The maritime hammock community is at a climax, mature stage of growth. Some of the live oaks dominating the canopy of the hammock are hundreds of years old, and are capable of living many years to come. A walk along one of the trails provides the visitor with a view of scrubby and mesic flatwoods full of wildlife including neo-tropical songbirds, native songbirds, woodpeckers, hawks, and squirrels. If you are lucky you will see a bald eagle flying overhead scanning the area near their nest in the southern portion of the property.

25 Round Island South Conservation Area 59 Acres West side of A1A in Southern IRC Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area Round Island South Conservation Area

26 Round Island South Conservation Area A large mangrove wetland abuts the Indian River Lagoon and is accessible via a impoundment road along the perimeter of the system. To the east of the mangroves is a maritime hammock community dominated by mature live oaks. The main walking trail meanders along the edge of the mangrove wetlands. As you walk along the trail you may encounter wading birds, frogs and lizards, numerous crabs burrowing into the sand, and pools filled with juvenile fish. Manatees frolicking in the Lagoon are often observed from the impoundment road. The County has installed several culverts to improve the connection between the impoundment and the Lagoon.

27 Sebastian Scrub Conservation Area 10 Acres West Side of Schumann Dr. Sebastian Stormwater Park Sebastian Scrub Conservation Area

28 Sebastian Scrub Conservation Area The parcel is part of a larger wildlife corridor that includes the 179 acre Sebastian Stormwater Park (owned by the SJRWMD) to the northwest, and the County s 163-acre Sebastian Harbor Conservation Area to the north of the stormwater park. Part of the Sebastian Area-Wide Florida Scrub-Jay Habitat Management Area; the site is dominated by oak scrub and scrubby flatwoods, which are desirable habitat types for the scrub-jay.

29 Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area 111 Acres CR 510 West of 58 th Avenue Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area

30 Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area WSCA is also an integral component of the Sebastian Area-Wide Florida Scrub Jay Habitat Conservation Plan The WSCA is comprised of 53 acres of Sand Pine/Scrub Oak and Scrubby Flatwoods communities, 15 acres of Wet Prairies, & 41 acres of Pine Flatwoods The WSCA has also been utilized as a recipient site for relocated Florida gopher tortoises, a State listed Threatened species. The conservation area is a part of the Great Florida Birding Trail (

31 Lagoon Conservation Areas LTICA 508 Acres Prange Islands -27 Acres Green Salt Marsh 16 Acres

32 Future Access Conservation Areas Cypress Bend Community Preserve open to pedestrians and by appt. for kayaking Once an active citrus grove located directly adjacent to the Sebastian River Removal of agricultural operations reduces nutrient inputs from pesticides and herbicides.

33 Future Access Conservation Areas Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area Mangrove wetland/impoundment that extends from the barrier island into the Indian River Lagoon Purchased in conjunction with the Indian River Land Trust, this 96-acre parcel provides refuge to numerous wading birds, fish species, and herpetofauna.

34 Future Access Conservation Areas Sebastian Harbor Conservation Area 163-acres adjacent to SSP part of larger corridor Refuge for gopher tortoises, bald eagles, osprey, scrubjays, wading birds Mixture of flatwoods, freshwater marshes and wet prairies

35 Future Access Conservation Areas South Prong Preserve 37.5-acres bisected by CR 510 includes a portion of the South prong of the St. Sebastian River An important buffer for the River; reducing pollutants & providing development buffer

36 Conservation Areas with Historical Components Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area 93-acre conservation area adjacent to the historic Hallstrom Farmstead (settled in the 1800 s) Includes sand pine scrub, maritime hammock, scrubby flatwoods & bottomland forest northernmost population of Lakela s mint

37 Conservation Areas with Historical Components Rodney Kroegel Conservation Area Paul Kroegel was an early settler of IRC Paul Kroegel worked hard to fend off poachers harvesting bird feathers on what is now the PINWR As a reward for his efforts, Kroegel was Paul Kroegel appointed the first refuge manager The conservation area is part of the homestead of Paul Kroegel s son Rodney Public access improvements are underway to create a interactive trail describing the many contributions of the Kroegel family to the heritage of IRC

38 Conservation Areas with Historical Components Jones Pier Conservation Area Historic homestead that is part of the Jungle Trail (Nationally Registered) The Jones family resided on the property for over 115 years The two docks are open to the public (smaller dock is temporarily closed for repairs) Master planning is underway to convert portions of the conservation for public uses (i.e. trails, gardens, restored habitat)

39 Conservation Areas with Historical Components Archie Smith Fish House Preserves a part of the oncethriving Sebastian working waterfront Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 The Smith s were part of the commerce and culture of the area starting in 1927 The family had many seafood business enterprises, and even used parts of the structures during WWII as observation sites to locate German submarines

40 Conservation Partnerships Archie Carr NWR IRC has direct interest in 97 acres Carson Platt (SSRSP) managed by the FL DEP State Parks Pelican Island NWR IRC has direct interest in 200 acres

41 How You Can Help Volunteer Opportunities General Trail Management/Maintenance Exotic Species Control Native Planting/Gardens Historical Assessment/Preservation Florida Scrub-Jay Surveys/Monitoring Gopher Tortoise Habitat Monitoring/Surveys/Relocation

42 Conservation Lands Program Wendy Swindell IRC Conservation Lands Program