Okaloosa County BOCC — January 19, 2016 — NFWF Grant

 EasyGrantsID: 52209 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program 2016, Full Proposal Title: Upland Restoration within Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island, FL. Organization: Okaloosa County Grant Information Title of Project Upland Restoration within Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island, FL. Total Amount Requested $ 70,000.00 Matching Contributions Proposed $70,000.00 Proposed Grant Period 06/01/ 2016 - 06/01/ 2017 Project Description Okaloosa County and Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance propose a unique project that integrates natural habitat restoration with recreational and educational features for the benefit of residents, tourists, and the environment. Okaloosa County views Veterans Park as a potential flagship project that will showcase the benefits and value associated with habitat restoration while providing a distinctive amenity for the public to enjoy. This narrative describes the first recommended phase of the Veterans Park restoration initiative, the upland removal of invasive species and replanting of native species, and focuses on this county-owned Okaloosa Island property. Project Abstract Veterans Park, which encompasses approximately 14 acres, borders the Choctawhatchee Bay and contains rare habitat, including dunes, coastal dune forest, and wetlands. However, because of its history as a three-hole golf course, the site needs both the removal of invasive species and the planting of native species, as well as increased levels of habitat management going into the future. The upland restoration is part of a larger conceptual plan that includes building handicap accessible boardwalks, increasing educational and recreational resources, and developing a living shoreline. In this phase, volunteers from the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and Okaloosa County will work together to remove invasive species, including alligator weed, popcorn trees, phragmites, asparagus fern, and more. Some can be pulled out by hand, while others may need to be treated with herbicide to fully remove them. When the removals are complete, volunteers will plant native species in their place, per the parks new management plan. The restoration will create a healthier environment for the surrounding wildlife, including over 150 bird species that reside in the park or migrate through each spring and fall. In addition, successful restoration will be used as a teaching tool for visitors and locals like, providing an example for restoration that could be done on nearby properties. The ecological, social, and educational benefits make the Veterans Park restoration a win-win-win. Organization and Primary Contact Information Organization Okaloosa County Organization Type State or Local Government City, State, Country ,, Region (if international) 1133 15th Street, NW Version 1.1 Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005 Page 1 of 15  EasyGrantsID: 52209 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program 2016, Full Proposal Title: Upland Restoration within Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island, FL. Organization: Okaloosa County Primary Contact Erika Zambello Position/Title Phone and E-mail x ; ezambello@co.okaloosa.fl.us Additional Contacts Role Name 1133 15th Street, NW