Natural Area Teaching Laboratory Report and Outlook Mark Clark, Chair Natural Area Advisory Committee

NATL West and East

Mission Statement Develop and help implement a plan to restore and maintain a variety of ecosystems in the University of Florida Natural Area and Teaching Laboratory (NATL) while maximizing the use of the area for teaching.

Teaching Assistant Kevin Ratkus – Interdisciplinary Ecology Program Promotes NATL resource to Instructors and TA’s Coordinates and facilitates tours Coordinates Volunteer efforts Provides maintenance and project implementation. Critter-Proof Trashcan: SEEP’s weir: coordination (PPD & Wetlands Club) Trail Maintenance Exotics control Teaching Assistant Kevin Ratkus – Interdisciplinary Ecology Program Promotes NATL resource to Instructors and TA’s Coordinates and facilitates tours Coordinates Volunteer efforts Provides maintenance and project implementation. Critter-Proof Trashcan: SEEP’s weir: coordination (PPD & Wetlands Club) Trail Maintenance Exotics control

Volunteer Events NATL-West 2 separate Ardisia crenata plant removals  SNRE, Wetlands Club, WEC, Entomology:  Dr. Alison Fox lecture on Non-native Invasive Plants Greek Volunteer Day (Center for Leadership & Service) Fence removal: east trail/sinkhole pond Trash clean-up (Sinkhole pond) NATL-East Trash clean up  Center for Leadership & Service “Super Volunteers” Recognition First Recipient Ken Prestwich 11 years of service since 1995 Every year since before the start of NATL, Dr. Prestwich has provided part time support for a month to six weeks in May and June.

NATL Ecosystem Management Upland pine restoration advances Major seedling recruitment of Longleaf this spring No managed burn opportunity  Florida Department of Forestry trying to mow in areas to partially mimic fire Exotic species control continues  Monitoring success, discussion of different strategies Alternative chemical Timing of application

NATL CITF Projects Two major Capitol Improvement Trust Fund projects associated with NATL. Erect and replace portions of perimeter fencing $67,000 initial estimate. Self guided Nature Trail $100,000.

Corral fencing Field fencing 6’ Chain-link fencing Stormwater trash traps (fences) Proposed Fencing for NATL

Fence removal in preparation of new fence or no longer needed fence

Self Guided Nature Trails at NATL Museum Connector Upland Pine Trail Hammock Trail Successional Trail Wetland Trail Boardwalk Interpretive Kiosk Layout of upland pine complete Hammock Trail layout underway Susan Jacobson and class working on interpretive information

Interpretive Boardwalk

Future Management, Maintenance and Funding of NATL mission. Need to secure budget based support of Graduate Assistant  Prospectus presented to SNRE for support through their budget – to date they have not been able to confirm viability of proposal  CALS Dean Kirby Barrick supported Graduate Assistant this academic year.  funding of Graduate Assistantship as well as increase in management and maintenance funds uncertain at this time. Continued $1000 annual support from Provost Office CITF Projects will increase management needs for trail and upkeep of interpretive information.