Okaloosa County BOCC — January 13, 2016 — Agenda Packet — reading text

-F practicable to support the restoration. Site observations confirm that wading birds such as the great blue heron nest in the tall pine trees located on the property, in addition to at least one pair of nesting osprey. The project will include preservation and enhancement of these areas to continue attracting nesting birds and provide a AF viewing opportunity for the public to enjoy. The project site may also present suitable conditions for installation T of osprey bird nesting platforms in some locations. R Proposed recreational elements include a timber boardwalk along the shoreline and a network of trails with D educational components within the upland site interior. Suitable locations along the boardwalk and trails may include features such as a magnified scope to observe wildlife (e.g., nesting birds). Educational features may include signage and kiosks that provide information about the local ecosystem and the importance of habitat protection and restoration to provide a more fulfilling recreational experience. In addition to the upland restoration, the site plans to restore a living shoreline as well as seagrass and oyster reefs. While the boardwalk, Packet Pg. 33  1.e.a trails, and shoreline restoration are out of the scope of this grant, they are an integral part of the overall conceptual plan for Veterans Park. This project has the potential of becoming a keystone amenity and economic draw for the county by appealing to a wide range of visitors including bird enthusiasts and naturalists looking to observe wildlife along the nature trails or families simply interested in a bay-front picnic or stroll along the boardwalk. The Veterans Park N property also has the potential for attracting larger group functions such as school programs, day camps, eco- LY Attachment: I. e. NFWF Grant $70K (5163 : NFWF Gulf Coast Conservation Grant (Erika Zambello)) tours, weddings, outdoor festivals, and many others. O Successful completion of the upland restoration portion will result in a wide variety of environmental benefits. Upland habitat restoration will include removing invasive species, such as alligator weed and popcorn trees, as N well as limited site grading and planting a variety of woody and herbaceous native coastal dune and coastal IO strand species that will enhance the property for the benefit of wildlife including reptiles, birds, and small as the state-listed threatened gopher tortoise. SS mammals. The project will also include enhancements targeted toward protected plants and listed species such U The project design may include expanding and/or enhancing the existing interior water features by removing C invasive or nuisance vegetation and regrading to create littoral shelf habitat that would host a variety of native wetland and aquatic vegetation species. IS D Veterans Park will also serve as a resource for public recreation and environmental education. The educational R components will focus on natural resources including the differences between various natural communities and O the importance of each, threatened and endangered fish and wildlife species, and the importance of ecosystem -F restoration and resource protection in Choctawhatchee Bay and Okaloosa County. Activities: AF Phase One: Removal of terrestrial invasive species T Phase Two: Removal of aquatic invasive species R Phase Three: Planting of native species D 2. Outcome(s): Elaborate on the outcome(s) summarized previously in the application; discuss what makes this outcome(s) achievable and important. There are both ecological and social benefits for successfully restoring the upland portion of Veterans Park. First, by removing invasive species and planting native species, we hope to increase both the diversity of species using the property Packet Pg. 34  1.e.a as well as the overall number. Rare habitat such as coastal dune forest as well as wetlands are critical for migrating bird species, butterflies, and rare reptiles such as the gopher tortoise. Second, Veterans Park will serve as a resource for public recreation and environmental education. The educational components will focus on natural resources including the differences between various natural communities and the importance of each, threatened and endangered fish and wildlife species, and the N importance of ecosystem restoration and resource protection in Choctawhatchee Bay and Okaloosa County. We LY Attachment: I. e. NFWF Grant $70K (5163 : NFWF Gulf Coast Conservation Grant (Erika Zambello)) hope to use this project as an example of restoration activities that can be undertaken across the Panhandle. O 3. Tracking Metrics: Indicate how the project will monitor/assess progress on the metrics selected previously in the application. Please note any challenges or limitations anticipated with tracking the metrics. Acres restored N Improved management practices IO SS 4. Project Team: List key individuals and describe their qualifications relevant for project implementation. Erika Zambello U Marine Economic and Tourist Resource Development Coordinator, Okaloosa County C Erika has a master’s degree in Environmental Management from Duke University, specializing in Ecosystem Science IS and Conservation. In addition to representing the county, she brings a background in ecology as well as special experience with bird ecology. D Jim Trifilio RCoastal Management Coordinator, Okaloosa County O Jim has a master’s degree in watershed management, and over 25 years of experience in natural resource protection. -F In ten years of work for Okaloosa County, he has overseen numerous beach, park, and artificial reef projects. Matt Trammel AF Senior Engineer, Taylor Engineering T Matt is a senior coastal engineer with Taylor Engineering who manages the coastal and environmental engineering contract with Okaloosa County. His responsibilities include managing beach, dune, and environmental restoration R projects along the Gulf and inland coasts and offshore areas of the county. D Alison McDowell Director, Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Alison has a master’s degree in environmental science, and has been the director of CBA since 2013. As director, she oversees all of CBA’s numerous programs, including numerous restoration, monitoring, research, and education initiatives. Packet Pg. 35  1.e.a Rachel Gwin Restoration Coordinator, Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Rachel graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Environmental Studies and Psychology, and has worked with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance since she was a member of AmeriCorps in 2010. She actively manages restoration projects in the local area, including CBA’s Habitat Rx program and the O.Y.S.T.E.R. program. 5. Other (Optional): Provide any further information important for the review of this proposal. NLY Attachment: I. e. NFWF Grant $70K (5163 : NFWF Gulf Coast Conservation Grant (Erika Zambello)) O N IO SS U C IS D R O -F AF T R D Packet Pg. 36 Packet Pg. 37 1.e.a Attachment: I. e. NFWF Grant $70K (5163 : NFWF Gulf Coast Conservation Grant (Erika Zambello))  1.f Tourist Development Council Meeting: 01/13/16 02:00 PM 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Department: Tourist Development Council Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Category: Update Prepared By: Aida Wilkinson SCHEDULED Initiator: Aida Wilkinson Sponsors: TDC ITEM (ID # 5164)