J.R. Alford Greenway - Leon County

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DRAFT 10/4/12 Additional language regarding public participation was inserted on 2/18/13 and corrected program dates were inserted on 2/26/13 Natural Communities Management A Forest Stewardship Management Plan has been prepared for the Greenway by faculty from the University of Florida/Leon County Cooperative Extension Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This Management Plan includes a complete description of existing natural resources, including natural communities and exotics, and forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) and schedules for protecting and enhancing these communities. The current flora and fauna of the site is mostly the result of previous land uses and land management activities. The use of prescriptive fire, reforestation with more appropriate native species, and the control of exotic invasive plants are the main tools that will be used by the County to help return forested areas of the Greenway towards a more native mix of plant and animal species and to remove/thin overgrown understory vegetation and/or undesirable successional species where necessary. A combination of 300 acres/year will be prescription‐ burned, and areas prone to erosion from natural or manmade activities will be revegetated where necessary with native tree, shrub, and/or groundcover species. Management will conduct habitat/natural community improvement on 350 acres through the following actions: Plant visual buffers utilizing native plants where necessary to shield undesirable vistas Conduct wildlife surveys on a regular basis Remove or thin overgrown understory vegetation and/or undesirable successional species where necessary Revegetate areas where necessary, including those prone to erosion from natural or manmade activities, with native tree, shrub, and/or groundcover species Establish an area for herbaceous plants, shrubs, or trees intended to attract native birds and butterflies Continue the established planting and mowing strategy on fields currently being utilized for game and non‐game wildlife food plots Monitor the progress of wildlife habitat restoration efforts to evaluate project success and determine additional management activities needed Coordinate with adjacent landowners to enhance natural communities; and Monitor the health of timber for adverse conditions and treat infestations as necessary, which may include commercial harvesting. In addition, management will conduct habitat/natural community restoration to reclaim the ecological function of the natural communities primarily by reestablishing longleaf pine as a dominant tree species (total area = 30 acres) in selected areas under the guidance of the Forest Stewardship Plan. [2013‐2022] Forest Resources Management The Forest Stewardship Management Plan identifies eight (8) individual “stands” for management purposes. These include a mix of different forested areas and open fields. Each stand is described as to its use, composition, features, and management issues. Specific 33
DRAFT 10/4/12 Additional language regarding public participation was inserted on 2/18/13 and corrected program dates were inserted on 2/26/13 management recommendations and timetables are also identified in this Plan. The FSMP is the guiding document for the management of forested and open natural areas on the Greenway. The goal of all silvicultural activities is to maintain a natural diversity of plant communities on the Greenway. Longleaf pine, which is native to the Red Hills of Florida and Georgia, will be re‐ established where feasible on selected uplands. As of 2009, management has re‐established a minimum of 60 acres of Longleaf pine. By involving teachers and students from the nearby Buck Lake Elementary School, management has utilized this restoration work as a teaching opportunity. Management will partner with other agencies to assess, monitor, and manage forested and other areas of the Greenway. An annual inventory of forest resources will be conducted on 350 forested acres of the Greenway. Invasive exotics will also be managed wherever they occur. As of 2009, management has established and currently maintains 100 acres of food plots for wildlife. Prescribed fire and selection cutting will be the main management tools in upland stands. Herbicide treatments and hand planting will also be utilized where other methods are inadequate. The existing GIS‐based forest inventory will be utilized in the management of these resources, and it will be regularly maintained. The gathering and taking of firewood is not permitted on the Greenway. Fire Management Prescribed fire is an important tool in Florida for managing the aesthetic values of natural landscapes in addition to managing fuels, wildlife habitat, and native plant species. The general management procedures for the use of prescribed fire are indicated below; more details can be found in the Forest Stewardship Management Plan. In cases where prescribed fire is recommended, the prescribed fire boss (manager) will determine beforehand if it can be done safely. This will become increasingly crucial as adjacent areas become more populated and conflict with smoke and escaped fire becomes more possible (likely). Smoke‐sensitive areas include Interstate‐10, Miccosukee Road, Crump Road, and neighborhoods in close proximity to the Greenway. It is critical that adjacent or nearby residential neighborhoods be contacted by County staff through existing neighborhood associations and/or targeted public relations efforts to educate residents on the possibility of smoke and the benefits of the use of prescribed fire. A forestry consultant will work with County staff on any prescribed burning efforts in order to avoid destroying many years of growth. Staff must also secure authorization from the Florida Forest Service prior to prescription burning. If prescribed fire is recommended and can be conducted safely, a burn plan will be completed prior to the prescribed burn. Firelines will be established and maintained around the perimeter of the Greenway, using natural breaks, roads, and trails where possible. Cutting firelines in wet areas will be prohibited, as this could be damaging to wetlands. All ground disturbing activities will be conducted in accordance with policies established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. Fireline establishment and maintenance information and services can be obtained from the Florida Forest Service. 34
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J.R. Alford Greenway - Leon County

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