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FLEPPC's Kathy Craddock Burks Education GrantWe had an unprecedented number of applications for the 2008 fiscal year, each of which proposed excellent programs. Congratulations to the six projects listed below that were selected by FLEPPC's Education Committee to receive funding up to $1000. Watch for the 2009 RFP on www.fleppc.org later this summer! Contact the Education Committee chair Jennifer Possley (jpossley@fairchildgarden.org) for further information on this program. 2008 GRANT RECIPIENTSProgram Title: "Florida's Alien Invaders" Applicant: New Gate School, Sarasota Secondary students will create a DVD about Florida's alien invaders to educate middle and high school students about how exotic plants alter habitats and decrease species diversity in Florida natural communities. The DVD will be packaged with a lesson plan and support materials for a visit to Myakka River State Park and will include exotic plant and animal identification information and ideas for inspiring students to take action against invasive species. Program Title: "Going Native to Restore our Natural Wetlands" Applicant: Layer Elementary School, Winter Springs Students of Layer Elementary will utilize neighboring Spring Hammock Preserve to become problem solvers in their community and develop global awareness through the realization that humans can impact their environment both positively and negatively. Students will learn to identify and remove terrestrial and aquatic invasive plant species and re-establish Florida native plants appropriate to the wetland preserve. Program Title: "Find it - Kill it" Flyer Applicant: The Nature Conservancy, Lake Wales region Part of the Central Florida Lygodium Strategy, this project involves creation of a simple one-page flyer tailored to private landowners or property managers in the Lake Wales Ridge region. CFLS is working to stop the northern spread of Lygodium microphyllum by targeting the northernmost counties in its range: Hillsborough, Polk, Lake, Orange, Volusia and Brevard. Using the flyer as a guide, residents will be able to identify L. microphyllum and determine the best method for eradication. Program Title: "Tropical Soda Apple IPM Field Guide" Applicant: UF/IFAS St. Lucie Co Extension Experts at UF/IFAS and Florida's Division of Plant Industry have developed host-specific biological control agents to manage tropical soda apple in Florida’s pastures and natural areas. The biocontrol agents are available for distribution during a short time frame, so efficiency is paramount. Yet, to date, nearly 1/3 of property owners agreeing to release the biocontrol agent have misidentified the target plant. This field guide will help ranchers to identify tropical soda apple, thereby improving the efficiency of biocontrol release efforts. Program Title: "Invaders! Educational Traveling Trunks" Applicant: Manatee County Board of County Commissioners The applicant will create two "traveling trunks" full of educational material concerning non-native invasive plants. The project goal is to help students understand the importance of native flora and fauna while realizing the detrimental effect exotics can have upon the ecosystem as a whole. Each trunk will include hands-on materials such as models, pressed specimens, posters, videos, books and lesson plans. As school trips are being cut from budgets, the trunks will provide a way to keep environmental education programming in the classroom. Program Title: "Homeowner & Professional Guide for ID & Control of Non-native Plants in East Central Florida" Applicant: Brevard County Natural Resources Management This excellent, 65-page, full-color guide provides detailed information for homeowners and professionals in East Central Florida on identifying, controlling and replacing non-native invasive plants. Brevard County first printed and distributed the guides in 2006. Since then, demand for more guides has been high. Brevard County Natural Resources Management will also make the guide available in PDF format on their website: natres.brevardcounty.us. |
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