Managing for Diversity Across Florida's Unique Landscapes

Date: December 4 - 6, 2007
Location: Disney Wilderness Preserve

This course is designed to introduce students to the rich biological diversity of Florida and to ensure that students have an understanding of the strategies used to protect biodiversity in Florida

Course Coordinator: Doria Gordon, TNC

Biodiversity:

  • Participants will be introduced to Florida's ecological regions, regions of endemism, and information on endemic plants and animals.
  • Participants will be introduced to sources of information on Florida's biodiversity. Including but not limited to the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Florida's Greenways and Trails project, Closing the Gaps Project, etc.
  • Participants will be introduced to the types of threats to diversity that result from resource management activities, historic and current. They will also be exposed to the impacts of lack of management and human uses.
  • Emphasis will be placed on the importance of protecting native ground cover, reducing soil disturbance, and restoring natural hydroperiod and fire regimes. Restoration:
  • Participants will be introduced to the role of restoration in protecting and maintaining diversity in Florida. Why is restoration occurring in Florida?
  • Participants will be exposed to different examples of current restoration projects-large and small scale, upland and wetland.
  • Participants will be provided information on how to determine when restoration is essential to protect a given natural area and its function. Information sources for planning and executing restoration projects will also be provided.

Exotic species:

  • Participants will become familiar with the most invasive exotic species in Florida. They will be able to identify at least one of the most threatening known to occur in each of the major habitat types.
  • Participants will be introduced to current control practices used to address a cross section of the most invasive plants.
  • Participants will be introduced to the Exotic Pest Plant Council and other information on exotic pest species.
  • Participants will achieve certification in pesticide application.

Sample Agenda