Natural Area Teaching Laboratory

2005-2006 Report and OutlookMark 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 AssistantKevin Ratkus – Interdisciplinary

Ecology Program

Promotes NATL resource to Instructors and TA’s

Coordinates and facilitates toursCoordinates Volunteer efforts

Provides maintenance and project implementation.

• Critter-Proof Trashcan: • SEEP’s weir: coordination (PPD & Wetlands

Club)• Trail Maintenance• Exotics control

Teaching AssistantKevin Ratkus – Interdisciplinary

Ecology Program

Promotes NATL resource to Instructors and TA’s

Coordinates and facilitates toursCoordinates Volunteer efforts

Provides maintenance and project implementation.

• Critter-Proof Trashcan: • SEEP’s weir: coordination (PPD & Wetlands

Club)• Trail Maintenance• Exotics control

Volunteer EventsNATL-West2 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 trashtraps (fences)

Proposed Fencing for NATL

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

Self Guided Nature Trails at NATL

Museum ConnectorUpland Pine TrailHammock TrailSuccessional TrailWetland TrailBoardwalkInterpretive Kiosk

Layout of upland pine completeHammock 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.

2006-2007 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.