Title
Grant Award - Florida Department of Environmental Protection Invasive Upland Plant Removal Program (NB)
This item requests that the City Commission permit the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department to accept a grant from the State of Florida for control of invasive weeds in Loblolly Woods Nature Park.
Explanation
The Nature Operations Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs has received a notice of award of a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Invasive Upland Plant Removal Program for non-native invasive plant control activities in conservation areas of the State. The intent of this grant is to provide funding to public agencies for control of non-native invasive plant species on public lands managed for the conservation of natural resources.
Non-native invasive plants are recognized as a significant threat to native plants and wildlife. Nature Operations controls non-native invasive plants in the City of Gainesville nature parks for the benefit of both the public and the natural resources in the parks.
This project will entail control of invasive vines in approximately 80 acres of Loblolly Woods Nature Park. DEP contractors will perform the invasive weed control operating under the supervision of the City's Nature Operations Division Natural Resource Management staff. A contract between the City and the DEP will be required to allow the contractors' activities on City property.
The DEP requires that follow-up monitoring and the maintenance of the control site by the managing site steward be available in perpetuity. This commitment requires the City to manage and maintain City nature parks and conservation areas. The perpetuity of these activities is also required by the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Fiscal Note
The value of contract services through this grant is $32,320. The City provides $32,855 in in-kind services for existing City invasive weed removal ...
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