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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE
INVASIVE NON-NATIVE PLANT CONTROL
PROGRAM
WAR ON EXOTICS (WOE)
Dennis Teague
Endangered Species Biologist
Invasive Non-Native Species Program Manager
MILITARY TEST AND TRAINING
Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines
ground – weapon – aircraft - ammunition
EGLIN AFB LOCATION in the PANHANDLE
N
FLORIDA
W
E
S
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE
10
0
10
20
30
40 Miles
Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation
(250,000 acres)
•
Activities include, camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing,
hiking, horse back riding, biking and more.
• Wide variety of activities and people utilize Eglin AFB
reservation. (no ATVs or off road motorcycling)
Canoeing
Fishing
Biking
Deer Hunting
More Recreation
Swimming
Camping
Hiking
(FLORIDA TRAIL)
Hunting Turkey
Conservation Significance
of Eglin’s Ecosystem
• Home to 11 federal and 95 state
listed, rare, or local endemic species
• 4th largest Red-cockaded
Woodpecker population
• 95% of the Okaloosa Darter’s range
• 5th largest population of black bears
in the state
• Eglin provides the majority of
habitat for 4 rare plant species
• Largest population of Flatwood
Salamanders west of the
Apalachicola River (3 breeding
populations)
• Only population in NW Florida of
the endangered lichen Cladonia
perforata
• Majority of the nation’s remaining
old-growth long leaf pine
Eglin Invasive Non-Native Plant
Control Program
Invasive Non-Native Plant Species:
• Second only to development in loss of natural
habitat.
• Displace native species, disrupt ecosystems and
critical T&E Habitat
• Reduce the value and quality of agricultural,
private, and military training lands
Fewer Exotics = Healthier Lands
PROGRAM GOAL
Prevent the introduction/spread of INS using an IPM approach
including herbicide application, mechanical control, hand pulling,
prescribed fire, and public education
Early detection/rapid response to locate and control INS
• Survey high quality natural areas / problem areas (1500 acres)
• Prepare areas (maps/GPS) and conduct initial treatments
• Follow up with retreatments – maintenance control
•Manage areas with RX fire or mechanical methods
•Attempt to prevent reestablishment or reintroduction
Promote interagency/local government cooperation
• FWC Upland Plant Management Program and Florida Panhandle
Invasive Plant Working Group
• Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
• Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership
• Florida’s Exotic Pest Plant Council (21 Category I / 8 Category II)
Maintain data base for info management/sharing
• Used to track historical records , treatment, and location info
Promote education and public awareness about INS
• Newspaper articles
• Presentations
• Providing brochures and other info in our Natural Resources lobby
Highest Prioritized Threats
Japanese Climbing Fern
Chinese Tallow
Torpedo Grass
Cogon Grass
Wide Range of Habitats /Dispersal
Mechanisms
Barrier Island Sand Dune
CHINESE TALLOW
Flatwood Swamp
CHINESE
TALLOW
Application Equipment
• 100 Gallon Truck Mounted
Sprayer (HP)
– Foliar Sprays
– Large Areas
– Roadsides/ROWs
• 2 ½ gallon hand held / 3
gallon backpack (LP)
sprayers
– Basal bark/Cut stump/Foliar
– Maintenance
Treatment Methods
• Selective Applications
– Target specific
• Cut stump, Girdle
• Basal bark
• Foliar/with spot treatments
Cut Stump
Urban Interface
Plantation
More Treatments
CLIMBING FERN
COGON GRASS
TALLOW TREES
Herbicides Used
• Woody trees and shrubs - triclopyr (ester) w/ basal
oil for upland sites - triclopyr (salt) for wetland sites
& (homeowner grade/lower % )
• Grasses/vines – glyphosate, imazapyr/water for
(foliar applications)
• Remember: The Label Is The Law, always follow
label directions (PPE, rates, application tech.)
• First check with your local USDA or county extension
office for advice on herbicides
Non-Herbicide Controls
• Hand Pull
– Labor Intensive
• Mechanical
– Mow / Cut / Till
• Prescribed Fire
Cogon Grass Stand
BEFORE
AFTER
Chinese Tallow Stand
BEFORE
DURING
AFTER
Questions ????