The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Regional Volunteer program is proud to introduce a new identifier celebrating the FWC's volunteer programs. This image highlights some of the key species and habitats that benefit from volunteer involvement, such as gopher tortoises, fish, pine flatwoods, birds and much more. Can you guess the species of bird in this image? More importantly, this image celebrates you and your dedication to conserving the landscapes, species and waterways that make Florida unique. Your efforts are priceless!
In this quarterly edition, we highlight the hard work of volunteers in the FWC's Southwest Region. We learn about protecting native species, tracking a keystone species, assisting the public with surrendering nonnative species, and planting marsh grass. We hope our newsletter inspires you to volunteer and support the place you visit or call home.
— Sharon Tatem, Volunteer Program Manager
By Brendan O'Connor
Tyson Dallas, Biologist for the FWC's Nonnative program, illustrates the use of Havahart traps to Larry Wallace, an FWC volunteer involved in the Tegu Removal Project in Riverview, Florida. Photo by Brendan O'Connor, FWC.
Furnished with eggs, dowel rods, a GPS unit and a sense of eagerness, a steadfast group of volunteers is using its stealth skills to assist the FWC in trapping Argentine black and white tegus. In the Riverview area southeast of Tampa, these volunteers have been assisting the Wildlife Impact Management team in efforts to control a breeding population of the Argentine black and white tegu. In partnership with Hillsborough County, the FWC is increasing efforts this season to survey for and remove this nonnative species, which preys on a wide range of Florida's native species. The tegu eats a variety of foods, including fruit, eggs, insects, and small animals such as lizards, rodents and even gopher tortoise hatchlings. Exploiting tegus’ wide range of diet, volunteers bait the traps with chicken eggs, strawberries and even cat food to attract the tegus.
Volunteers have been monitoring 24 traps distributed in dense scrub on Hillsborough County properties. The traps have been checked every weekday since March 29, with volunteers accumulating over 200 volunteer hours. The traps also accidently attract some of our native species, which are released unharmed on site. The unexpected visitors to the traps have included skunks, raccoons, opossums and most recently a bobcat, much to the excitement of one of our volunteers who successfully released it on site. All traps are monitored at least once every 24-hour period during the week. Eight volunteers have been sharing the responsibility of inspecting the traps each weekday. The project is expected to last into late summer, when tegus become dormant and enter “brumation,” the stage of staying underground for long periods of time. Despite the hot Florida summer, these volunteers plan to continue their efforts until the tegus become inactive. If you see a tegu or any nonnative species, you can report it by calling the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681).
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Tegu in Havahart trap. Photo by Brendan O'Connor, FWC.
By Brendan O'Connor
Volunteers involved in gopher tortoise surveys on Bullfrog Creek WEA. Photos by Brendan O'Connor, FWC.
Throughout 2017 and 2018, zealous volunteers have been busily wading through dense vegetation, getting bitten by hungry mosquitoes and avoiding smilax, a thorny plant that seems to grow out of the ground with the sole intention of tripping the unwary. Keen eyes are also necessary to ensure everyone steers clear of any venomous eastern diamondback rattlesnakes. “Why?” you may ask.
Bullfrog Creek Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA), is a 833-acre FWC property in Hillsborough County, eight miles south of Riverview and southeast of Tampa. Typically, habitat such as this is managed in part through prescribed fire, which serves to promote new growth of plants as well as seed and fruit production. However, Bullfrog Creek WEA is bordered to the west by Interstate 75, to the east by U.S. Route 301, and to the south and north by residential properties. The layout of this WEA dictates very specific wind patterns and weather parameters to safely undertake a prescribed fire, and hence the use of prescribed fire is complemented by mechanical treatment. The mechanical treatment aims to manage the density of saw palmettos and improve plant diversity, which enhances available foraging opportunities for wildlife. The challenge faced by land managers is that the property is also home to many gopher tortoises, and their burrows must be avoided by the heavy machinery utilized for the mechanical treatment. This explains why our ardent volunteers have been busy at work on this site.
Volunteers have conducted line transect surveys across the WEA to identify and mark the location of gopher tortoise burrows. Using brightly colored flags and GPS units, volunteers traversed over 70 acres and identified the location of over 500 burrows. These volunteers were from the FWC’s Southwest Region Volunteer program, including groups such as the American Daughters of Conservation and Florida Master Naturalist students. Volunteers are helping the FWC complete its due diligence for one of Florida’s keystone species.
By Brendan O'Connor
Species surrendered at the Exotic Pet Amnesty Day in St. Petersburg include (from top, clockwise) red-eared slider, ferret, bearded dragon and ball python. FWC photos.
On May 19, the FWC teamed up with Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg to host an Exotic Pet Amnesty Day. The Exotic Pet Amnesty program is an effort to reduce the number of nonnative species being released into the wild by pet owners. The agency also facilitates the adoption of surrendered exotic pets by preapproved, qualified adopters. Fourteen volunteers assisted at the event in St. Petersburg, contributing 98 volunteer hours. With over 150 people attending, the event was a great success. Thirty-one animals were surrendered and adopted, including one bird, four mammals, and 26 reptiles.
The next Exotic Pet Amnesty Day will be held on Sunday, August 19, at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, West Palm Beach. Further details on volunteer opportunities for this event will be posted on the FWC's calendar.
By Brendan O'Connor
Volunteers plant marsh grass on Don Pedro Island State Park. FWC photo.
An ongoing partnership between the FWC and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection aims to restore fish and wildlife habitat, reduce erosion and help stabilize the Florida coastline. On June 2, 28 volunteers assisted the agencies with the planting of marsh grass at the Don Pedro Island State Park. The wetland is being restored from a disturbed area, and since 2017, 21,643 plants have been planted there, including 8,300 by volunteers. The planting efforts were made possible by a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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