Okaloosa County BOCC — January 13, 2016 — I. e. NFWF Grant $70K — reading text

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 tours, weddings, outdoor festivals, and many others. N property also has the potential for attracting larger group functions such as school programs, day camps, eco- LY 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 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 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.  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 O N IO SS U C IS D R O -F AF T R D