CREW Management AreaCREW Management AreaCREW Management AreaCREW Management AreaSteve Coughlin, Section AdministratorSteve Coughlin, Section AdministratorLand Stewardship SectionLand Stewardship Section

Location and Adjacent Conservation Lands Location and Adjacent Conservation Lands

Southern CREW Project Area Southern CREW Project Area

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• Remove berms

• Cut roads and fill ditches north of Kehl Canal and east of Vincent Road

Southern Crew Project AreaSouthern Crew Project Area

Location and Regional Watershed Location and Regional Watershed

Plant Communities Plant Communities

• 33% Cypress Swamp• 26% Hardwood Forested

Wetlands• 24% Slough and Depression

Marsh• 9% Flatwoods

CREW Wildlife CREW Wildlife

• Classified as a Priority Wetland for Listed Species and Biodiversity Hotspot by FWC.

• 122 bird species documented to date

• 22 mammals• 18 listed species

Land Management Activities Land Management Activities

Primary Management Activities

•Hydrologic restoration•Prescribed burning•Exotic plant control

Hydrologic Restoration Hydrologic Restoration

• Ditch plugs utilized to improve hydrology on over- drained conservation lands, 9-Gems.

Exotic Plant Control Exotic Plant Control

Target species include Lygodium, Melaleuca, and Brazilian pepper

Treat 3400 – 4400 acres annually for exotic vegetation

Largest single operational cost within the CREW budget

Prescribed Fire Prescribed Fire

• Cost-effective land management practice

• Necessary for maintenance of fire dependent plant communities

• Desired burn frequency is plant community specific

• Pine flatwoods and marsh, 3-5 years

• Prescribe burn goal of 2500 acres

Recreation Recreation

• Management Area had an estimated 15,800 visitors in FY13

• Popular recreational activities include hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, camping, equestrian use and hunting

Partnerships Partnerships

Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed acquisition and land management partners:

•Audubon•Lee County •Collier County•CREW Land & Water Trust•Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission•State of Florida

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