complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: Okaloacoochee Slough Wildlife Management Area
Acres: 2,923
Managing
Agency:
FWC
Current Management Plan
Approved:
423
12/06/01
Narrative:
The management plan for this area was approved prior to July, 2008, and does not contain the
eight common management goals and associated quantitative measures that are now required to
be addressed by all management plans. Our progress, during the last two years toward achieving
the common goals and applicable core objectives are described in the narrative below and in
quantitative terms in the tables. Where applicable, this narrative lists outstanding
accomplishments, identifies any deficiencies and corrective actions, and provides other important
or clarifying information for each of the required management goals.
All habitats, including improved and semi-improved pasture are classified as 4-year maximum burn
intervals except swale, which has a 5-year maximum interval. Habitat restoration currently
underway includes tree & shrub planting, killing pasture grasses, rootraking/mowing/spraying wax
myrtles, and groundcover restoration. Treatments of pasture grasses that are not FLEPPC
Category 1 or 2 are included here rather than in the exotics section.
The current management plan mentions contemplation of one new facility - a check station. FWC
has installed and maintains four structures on the WMA but they are not included on the reporting
table because they are located on areas of the property where DOF is lead. These structures
include one check station, one steel pole barn and two metal sheds.
The 0.8 miles of trail on the FWC portion of the WMA is maintained by Division of Forestry.
Interpretive programs for 2008/2009 included the Big “O” Birding festival bat trip and the North
American Migratory Bird Count organized by Hendry Audubon and open to the public. Interpretive
programs for 2009/2010 included a Master Gardeners class field trip and the North American
Migratory Bird Count organized by Hendry Audubon and open to the public. These events were
conducted across the entire WMA (including the DOF portion).