complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Acres: 2,542.12 Managing
Agency:
Description:
DRP
Current Management Plan
Approved:
The crystalline Ichetucknee River flows six miles through shaded hammocks and wetlands before it
joins the Santa Fe River. The upper three miles of the river and its headsprings are protected by
Ichetucknee Springs State Park. In addition to tubing the river (between Memorial Day and Labor
Day), visitors can enjoy picnicking, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, swimming, hiking and
wildlife viewing. White-tailed deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, wood ducks and great blue herons can
be seen from the river.
Accomplishments:
Resource Management
• Continuation of Water Lettuce hand-removal program to avoid chemical treatment in the river.
• Created the Ichetucknee/ O’Leno / Santa Fe Christmas Bird Count (National Audubon Society)
to monitor bird population trends at Ichetucknee and O’Leno State Parks.
• Continued Biannual Submerged Aquatic Vegetation monitoring in Ichetucknee River to assist
with tubing carrying capacity management.
• Spring run clarity and brown-out monitoring studies associated with changes in Suwannee River
levels were implemented.
• Conducted planning and site preparation to plant 20 to 30 acres of longleaf pine as part of a
federal stimulus program.
• Implemented an FWC grant to treat invasive exotic plants.
Visitor Services
• Established LIFE site and Partnership with Ft. White Middle and High Schools.
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