Author Archives: Kent Gardner

Successful Controlled Burn

Posted on by

The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve underwent a controlled (prescribed) burn on April 20, 2016. The Yankeetown management plan for the Preserve includes the use of periodic controlled burns. Frequent low-intensity fires are natural phenomena. Fire suppression by man is not. The health of many ecosystems depends on fire. Low-intensity fire promotes new growth and prevents the build up of fuel that could cause a devastating, all consuming, wildfire.

The town of Yankeetown, the WGP Board, and the Friends of the WGP want to thank the Florida Forest Service for a job well done. The result of this successful burn will be a healthier Preserve and a safer Yankeetown community. If you would like to learn more about the burn please watch this video.

Gopher Tortoises

Posted on by

gopher-torstoiseGopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are long-lived reptiles native to the southeastern United States. They occupy upland habitat throughout Florida including forests and pastures. Gopher tortoises are herbivore scavengers and consume a variety of plants, including grasses and terrestrial legumes. (Photo by FWC Research)

In Florida, the gopher tortoise is listed as threatened and both the tortoise and its burrow are protected under state law. A keystone species plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community. The gopher tortoise is a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for more than 350 other animal species. The decline of a keystone species is especially hard on a wildlife ecosystem.

Protected habitat like the Preserve is very important to the long term survival of the gopher tortoise. Periodic gopher tortoise surveys are done at the Preserve and the results reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Conservation of the gopher tortoise depends not only on the efforts of FWC and other conservation groups, but also on Florida’s citizens. For more information on Gopher Tortoises, see:

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/gopher-tortoise/

Want to become a citizen scientist and help the FWC? There’s an app (Android and iOS) for that

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/gopher-tortoise/app/

WGP Dock

Posted on by

dock

The Preserve Dock is accessible from the Withlacoochee Bay via Helverson Creek. Its GPS location is N29.02468, W82.73412. A toilet, picnic area, and the Observation Tower are a short walk from the Dock.

The Dock is approximately a one hour paddle from Bird Creek Park at the end of Hwy 40. Note, this route can be very shallow at low tide.

Bioblitz at the WGP

Posted on by

The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve Bioblitz on March 15th & 16th, 2014 was a major success, and a fun, hands on learning experience. The goals of the Bioblitz were to identify flora & fauna and provide a program of expert-led nature walks, kayaking, and presentations. The program included:

Flora and Fauna of the Big Bend
by Dr. Linda Tyson (Santa Fe College)

Plant Lore: the History of Florida’s Coastal Flora
by Lars Andersen (Adventure Outpost)

Paddle the Estuary
by Lars Andersen (Adventure Outpost) and UF Students

Birds of the WGP
led by Mary Keith (Tampa Audubon Society/Hillsborough County Extension)

Intro to Plant ID and Plant Walk
by Amy Langston (UF)

Mapping Sea-Level Rise
by Nicholas Digruttolo (UF)

Herpetofauna and Invertebrate Surveys
by Paul Moler (FL FWC)

Botanical Inventory
by Dr. Colette Jacono (UF)

Tidal Creek Seine
by Tom Ankersen (UF), Richard Hamann (UF) and Leroy Creswell (Florida SeaGrant)

WGP Bird Inventory
by Adam and Gina Kent (Avian Research and Conservation Institute)

Intertidal Invertebrate Species Inventory
by Rebecca Squibb and Elliot Hart (UF)

Island Tree Survey
by Dr. David Kaplan (UF)

The WGP BioBlitz was organized by University of Florida Environmental Engineering Professor David Kaplan’s Watershed Ecology Lab. We want to thank them and all who participated in this great two day event.

Coastal Forests Retreat As Sea Levels Rise

Posted on by

In this article in The Palmetto — Florida Native Plant Society, Francis E. “Jack” Putz discusses the effects of rising sea levels on Gulf coastal forests. The Palmetto · Winter 2012

“The effects of sea level rise are often difficult to differentiate from the myriad of other drivers of coastal change, but the expanses of dead trees looming over Gulf Coast marshes is compelling evidence. The story unfolds very clearly in Yankeetown’s Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve…”