As an experiment, a small gravity-powered irrigation system was added last December to one of the Ridge Rangers’ 2016 scrub restoration planting zones, supplying water to 67 plants that were still in healthy status despite the drought that had begun a few months earlier. A truck was used to bring water once a week to the 125 gallon water tower, which would slowly empty over 12 hours supplying water via distribution lines and drip heads to each of the scrub oak sprouts in the test. Plant status surveys of both irrigated and non-irrigated plants were done in December 2016 and then four months later in mid-April, and 72% of the irrigated plants had a medium or large improvement in size/health, while none of the non-irrigated plants improved and most regressed or died!

As can be seen in the below chart, the test irrigation system had a very positive impact on the planted scrub oak sprouts, and we’ll implement irrigation on our restoration plantings going forward.

We’ll be planting a smaller quantity this year in the Royce scrub restoration area compared to previous years, but there will be irrigation ready to go as the plants go in, significantly increasing the survival rate.  With a reliable source of water for the plants, we won’t need to wait until the rainy season – which is also the very hot season -- and we’ll instead be planting on two workdays in the next few weeks on May 20 and June 10.

The irrigation system for the upcoming plantings is much larger than the experimental system, but is still gravity-powered and will supply water to the plants once a week via distribution lines and drip heads. The plants will be drought-resistant and have a great start!

Above picture: 525 Gallon Water Tower for the upcoming plantings. Special note of thanks to Ridge Ranger Harry Ressler (left) for all the help building and installing the tower.

Saturday, May 20. Two start times: 8 AM and 9 AM.

Plant Scrub Oak Sprouts to Restore Damaged Habitat

FWC Royce Unit, near Lake Placid

We’ll be planting oak sprouts to help restore damaged oak scrub habitat.

Please wear sturdy footwear, long pants, long sleeves (or a T with sunscreen), and a hat. Please bring your work gloves and hiker’s water bottle or similar. We’ll have plenty of cold drinking and all the tools needed.

Map, details, and registration at http://outreach.myfwc.com/event/PlantScrubOaksRoyceMay2017

This event is part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 75th Anniversary of the wildlife management area system, one of the state’s greatest natural treasures. The FWC oversees this statewide network of remote and scenic lands, managing them for conservation and recreation. We hope you can come join us, see one of FWC's amazing wildlife areas, and help out!

Saturday, June 10. Two start times: 7 AM and 8:30 AM.

Plant Scrub Oak Sprouts to Restore Damaged Habitat

FWC Royce Unit, near Lake Placid

We’ll be planting oak sprouts to help restore damaged oak scrub habitat.

Please wear sturdy footwear, long pants, long sleeves (or a T with sunscreen), and a hat. Please bring your work gloves and hiker’s water bottle or similar. We’ll have plenty of cold drinking and all the tools needed.

Map, details, and registration at http://outreach.myfwc.com/event/RoycePlantingJune2017

The FWC Royce Unit is part of the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area. The most distinctive natural community on the Lake Wales Ridge is scrub, home to one of the rarest collections of plants and animals in the world. Healthy scrub has the appearance of a miniature forest with trees seldom taller than 10 feet and open patches of sand. The WEA contains 20 of 22 federally listed plant species known to occur on the Lake Wales Ridge.

Ridge Rangers have just completed the second round of the annual spring Kestrel Nest Box Surveys, visiting 22 boxes spread across six sites from Avon Park to Venus in each round. Nine of the boxes are being occupied by Eastern Screech Owls, two by Great Crested Flycatchers, and one by Southeastern American Kestrels … with three fledglings!

Photo: Ridge Ranger Diana Miller gets her picture taken by the Peeper Cam system as she checks a nest box at FWC Platt Branch.