Hydrophyte Volume 21 Issue 1 - January 2017

The South Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society

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Highlights Aquatic Weed Management: Control Methods Aquatic Plant Biology Working in the Public Eye Florida Frogs Floated from Cuba Native Plant of the Month: Bay Cedar

Volume 21 Issue 1

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President’s Message Hello and Happy New Year! Aquatic weed control specialists and managers will most certainly face another challenging year for invasive aquatic weed management. South Florida is particularly special in that nearly 50% of licensed aquatic applicators in the state work in the Palm Beach, Dade and Broward County areas underscoring the fact that with our warm climate and ideal growing conditions we are on the frontlines of aquatic invasive weed management. Weed control costs often receive more attention than the benefits or potential harm incurred. The benefits of proper management include recreation, navigation, property home values and what may be the most often overlooked but important aspect here in South Florida - flood control. In a study by the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (Rockwell 2003), they found that for every dollar spent on aquatic weed management pertaining to flood control, there was a return in benefits of $15.

The mission of SFAPMS is to provide a forum for an exchange of ideas, news and information on plants that grow in and around water in South Florida. I look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting in February, where we are most certain to have CEU’s, a fantastic selection of speakers, topics and free lunch!

Thank you!

Scott

Board Members - 2017

Officers 2017 Scott Jackson, President

(561) 402-0682

Linda Wolonick, Secretary/

(954) 370-0041

Treasurer Norma Swann, Immediate Past

(334) 741-9393

President Board Members 2017 Rose Bechard-Butman

(954) 519-0317

James Boggs

(352) 521-3538

Hughie Cucurullo

(305) 224-3562

Andy Fuhrman

(954) 382-9766

Lyn Gettys, PhD

(954) 577-6331

Dharmen Setaram

(407) 670-4094

Michael Shaner

(813) 267-5650

Steven Weinsier

(954) 382-9766

The Francis E. “Chil” Rossbach Scholarship Fund

Funds from the scholarship are used to help defray costs for students taking classes related to the study of aquatic environmental sciences or related areas. The scholarship is open to anyone, and all are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted throughout the year and the scholarship awarded when a suitable candidate is found. Money raised by the Society during the year partially goes to fund this scholarship, the intent of which is to promote the study of aquatics.

For an application, please go to www.sfapms.org.

Cover Photo: Dan Niemi | Allstate Resource Management Inc.

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2017 Calendar of Events SFAPMS Board of Directors Meeting The Hurricane House 3205 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314 Thursday, January 26, 2017 www.sfapms.org SFAPMS - General Meeting Sunset Lakes Community Center 2801 SW 186th Street. Miramar, FL 33029 Thursday, February 23, 2017 www.sfapms.org UF/IFAS Acquatic Weed Control Short Course May 8-11, 2017 Coral Springs, FL conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw SFAPMS Board of Directors Meeting The Hurricane House 3205 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314 Thursday, May 25, 2017 www.sfapms.org Florida Lake Management Society Annual Technical Symposium South Seas Island Resort, Captiva, Florida June 6-9, 2017 SFAPMS - General Meeting The Hurricane House 3205 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314 Thursday, June 29, 2017 www.sfapms.org

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Community Outreach Algae Forum - Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

Holy Cross Hospital

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Working In the Public Eye It’s never easy to do a job with someone watching over your shoulder. Someone interrupting your train of thought, asking questions, and criticizing what you’re doing. For an aquatic applicator, this is more a question of: How do I handle this when it happens? Rather than: What do I do if it happens?

Part of this is because the waterways that are our workplace are such an integral part of everyday life in Florida.

The focus on aquatic recreation, abundance of waterfront homes and the importance placed on our stormwater management needs, puts an applicator in the public eye on a daily basis.

One would think our industry would benefit from the increase in public concern for the environment. We are, after all, maintaining our aquatic resources to promote their function, sustainability, and aesthetics.

Unfortunately, the “green movement” combined with a lack of public knowledge about aquatic weed management can mistakenly create an adversarial attitude toward applicators and the work we do. The issue is compounded by a steady flow of misrepresented information through the media and internet.

Generalizations about the evils of chemicals in the environment has translated to mistrust of anyone using them, regardless of the situation.

It’s not likely that a spontaneous, widespread change in peoples understanding will happen any time soon. We need to be prepared to deal with individuals that may voice disapproval with our work, and take an active role in educating them.

Over the years I’ve learned some basic guidelines and tactics to follow when speaking to the public while on the job.

Be polite It should be common sense, but that’s easier said than done half way through a long day in the middle of August. Before you get too involved in any conversation, take a second to compose yourself.

Being argumentative will not help a situation and does not present you as an experienced professional. You should be confident in your answers but not condescending to the person your speaking with.

Understand their point of view Sometimes people are just curious what you’re doing. Most people don’t have the familiarity with your job that others in our field do. You see PPE as an uncomfortable but necessary part of your job.

They see it and concerns about their safety arise.

The average person’s knowledge about aquatic herbicides is probably confined to something they read on Facebook last week. People tend to fear what they don’t understand. Take that into consideration when approached by concerned residents.

Remember you are working near where they and their families live and play.

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Choose your words

Know when to leave

Correct terminology can help to clear up public misconceptions about our job.

Words like “chemical” and “killed” are ambiguous and create a sense of fear.

Explaining that we only use herbicides approved for use in the water, and that the weeds have been specifically treated helps to convey a better image. It’s important to show the public that aquatic vegetation management is very careful and deliberate, and not reckless use of random chemicals. Our choice of words when talking to people we come into contact with is a big part of that process.

Despite your best efforts, some people are just not interested in having their minds changed. Some folks are going to cling to their preconceived notions tighter than a drowning person clings to a life preserver. Being polite and professional doesn’t mean you have to stand there being berated by a belligerent individual. If their mind is made up, then you trying to convince them otherwise will probably only aggravate them more.

Establish a connection Most residents and homeowners don’t realize how important aquatic vegetation management is here in Florida. Establishing a connection between what we do and the benefits to their lives demonstrates that applicators are working on their behalf.

Explaining how successful vegetation management programs maintain flood control systems and recreational waters, while improving aesthetics of communities shows them they have a vested interest in what we do.

Make the weeds the bad guy The years and years of hard work and environmental success go unnoticed, but the rare mistake gets instant notice. Applicators often get swept up in the fervor to “save the environment” and assign blame to careless offenders. In the rush to put a face to environmental damage, it’s often overlooked that: The weeds are the bad guys here.

The amount of habitat and income lost due to exotic plant species rarely makes the headline news.

Their invasive nature is not apparent to residents because our efforts keep the invasion at bay (usually without their knowledge).

Educating residents on the plants we target and the damage they’re capable of can improve public support for our work.

That’s why it’s important to realize when a situation won’t be resolved in the moment and politely make your exit. Let them know that their concerns are understood and give them the contact information for a supervisor or customer service department.

Business cards and printed informational materials can often help make a transition to leaving. When you return to your office be sure to follow up with the appropriate people so that they know to expect a call and what the situation is so they aren’t blindsided.

Sometimes, as aquatic resource managers in Florida, we have to be our own public relations department.

Avoiding confrontation at any cost only perpetuates the misconception that we’re doing something wrong. A little explanation can go long way toward fostering a broader understanding of our job and its necessity. It’s important that we don’t take criticism of what we do personally, particularly since it is often misinformed. We make an effort to get licensed and stay trained. We work hard to ensure that the job gets done right and Florida’s waterways are protected. Don’t be afraid to let people know it.

By: Stephen Montgomery Allstate Resource Management

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Florida Frogs Floated From Cuba Two species of invasive frog which are hopping their way through Florida probably got to the state by hitching a ride on floating debris from Cuba, according to a study published on Wednesday. Amphibian experts have long wrangled over the origins of the greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) and the Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis). The two species are widespread across the Caribbean, but were first spotted in the Florida Keys - the island chain that starts at Florida's southeastern tip - in the mid-1800s. A hundred years later, both began to be firmly established on the mainland and embarked on a relentless advance.

Today, the greenhouse frog has established colonies as far north as Alabama, while the Cuban treefrog can be found all around the southern Florida coastline. Scientists led by Blair Hedges at Pennsylvania State University analysed the frogs' DNA to identify the amphibians' closest native relatives, which would tease out clues about this unusual migration. The greenhouse frog's ancestry was pinpointed to a small area of western Cuba, while the Cuban treefrog came from at least two sources in Cuba, of which the best bet is a remote peninsula in the western part of the island. The team believes that the two species came to Florida thousands of years ago, quite possibly by climbing on board vegetation that then floated like a raft across the narrow strait. Once established in the Keys, the frogs adapted over the years to the colder winters of Florida compared to their Cuban home, and this enabled them to spread northwards when transport and commerce links developed in the mid-20th century.

"Both of them could have come across (to Florida) naturally, not by swimming, because these frogs would die pretty quickly in salt water, but by floating across on vegetation," Hedges said in a phone interview.

"There are plenty of examples of flotsam crossings, on short distances as well as long distances, even across oceans. These frogs, especially the treefrog, are on many small islands in the Caribbean which have no humans, so clearly they get around. There's no other way they could have got to those islands other than by floating."

Hedges added: "What we're speculating in this paper is that if they were there on the Keys on their own for thousands of years, they could have adapted to a more continental climate, making them better invasive species. And when they made their way up into Florida, that may explain why they have done so well."

Invasive species such as rabbits, rats, the cane toad and zebra mussels, introduced deliberately or accidentally into foreign habitats, can become a major problem in biodiversity. Hedges said that although the two Cuban frogs had clearly adapted well to Florida, little was known of their impact on native American species.

Credit: The Independent | Photo Credit: Green Floridian

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Native Plant of the Month Bay Cedar (Suriana maritime)

Coastal habitats are among the harshest environments on earth. Plants in these locations have therefore, developed special defenses in their determination to survive. For instance, many coastal plants grow thick, fleshy, stiff leaves to survive salt spray.

One such tough plant is the Bay Cedar (Suriana maritime). It can take the blistering sun as well as coastal winds generally filled with salt spray. Local plant growers report that this plant will take some heavy pummeling from the wind and still survive.

The Bay Cedar is a Florida native and can be found in the southern coastal areas, amidst sand dunes and thickets all the way down into the Keys. It is unique in that it will grow just as well with its roots in or out of coastal waters making it the ideal frontal dune plant. The Bay Cedar does not do well in other locations further inland where it is prone to rot and fungus.

This shrubby plant grows 5 to 20 feet tall. The trunk has beautiful, dark brown, rough bark. Its arching branches carry tiny gray-green, succulent and downy foliage, similar to sea lavender, and have a fragrance like cedar when crushed. The yellow flowers bloom consistently throughout the year.

Bay Cedar is now on the endangered plant list as its habitat is lost to development. It has not been commonly used in landscapes. The shrub is known to help stabilize shorelines and coastal dunes, and thankfully it is becoming more available from specialty growers for dune restoration. It is an alternative oceanfront landscape plant. If you have a need to plant at beach locations, this shrub could easily be trained into a small tree-like specimen. It may also respond well to being kept low and sheared.

This particular plant offers food and cover for wildlife. The fruits are eaten by birds, and the foliage is a larval food for the Mallow Scrub and Martial Scrub Hairstreak butterflies.

Credit: Rose Bechard-Butman; Broward County NatureScape

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Credit: Florida LAKEWATCH Circular 111/ University of Florida

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