complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Acres: 77,124.93 Managing
Agency:
Description:
DRP
Current Management Plan
Approved:
Winding through the Florida Everglades is a narrow thread of forested swamp called the
Fakahatchee Strand. Visitors can see some areas by driving through a portion of the park, or they
can walk along a 2,000-foot-long boardwalk to experience the beauty of a magnificent old growth
cypress forest.
Accomplishments:
Resource Management
• Successfully pollinated the endangered Cowhorn orchid resulting in the production of seed pods.
Propagation of young plants is ongoing, through a partnership with Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
• Treated 195,000 Brazilian pepper trees in Cypress and Wet Flatwoods communities.
• Ongoing participation in the Emerald Ash Borer monitoring project.
• Backlogged prescribed fire acres burned during FY 2009-10.
Visitor Services
• Developed new recreational and interpretive programs in the park.
• Expanded interpretive programs given at local schools to both elementary and secondary level
students.
• Developed of a summer internship program.
Capital Improvements
• Developed two new volunteer campsites.
• Developed housing for Florida Park Police resident Law Enforcement Officer.
Other
• Created first annual event in the park, The Fakahatchee Safari, sponsored by the Friends of
Fakahatchee Inc. to be held the last weekend in February each year.
• Acquired of 1227.21 acres of additional land.
• Expanded the volunteer season from two to 10 months out of the year.
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2000