Transcript Document
Landowner Assistance Programs in Florida Gainesville, Florida September 24, 2010 Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program • Voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance for habitat restoration on private lands. • Private lands = Any non-federal or non-state lands. • Emphasis is placed on projects that benefit federal trust resources including Federally- listed T&E species and other declining or imperiled species, migratory birds, and inter-jurisdictional fisheries and lands adjacent to Refuges. • Funding assistance through the Partners Program is not available to purchase land-use rights (e.g., to purchase easements, pay rent, etc.). Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program • Projects with private landowners must secure a minimum 10-year agreement. • 50/50 cost-share, either monetarily or in-kind. • Reasonable access to project property. • Extenuating circumstances - Landowner can opt out of agreement by reimbursing costs back to the Service on a pro-rated basis. • Year-round (continuous) acceptance of proposals. (The When!) 2010 Results! Totals - State of Florida Partners Program Acres Wetland Completed - 804 acres Acres Upland Completed - 6,409 acres Riparian/Stream/Shoreline Miles Completed – 2.4 miles Number of Fish Barriers Removed – 2 Miles Stream/Shoreline/Reopened to Fish Passage – 5.8 miles Habitat Projects • Upland Restoration • Prescribe burning • Hardwood Control (i.e., mechanical, manual, and chemical) • Invasive Species Control • Ground Cover Restoration (i.e., direct seeding and/or plugs) • Tree Planting (i.e., Longleaf and scrub) • Red-cockaded woodpecker cavity installation • Wetland Restoration • Riparian floodplain • Moist soil units • Ditch plugging • Dike placement • Invasive species control • Stream/Shoreline Restoration • New channel design • Fish passage • Streambank stabilization • Natural springs • Sea Turtle Beach Lighting Coastal Program • Protect, conserve, and restore coastal resources through partnerships. • Foster partnerships with other Federal, State, local, and private organizations. • Provide financial and technical assistance for restoration project of coastal ecosystems. • A listing of all Coastal Program coordinators is available at: http://www.fws.gov/coastal.