Item I9
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date:
July 20, 2005
Division:
Planning
Bulk Item: Y es ~
No
Department: Gro~1h Management
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval ofa resolution to accept $1,000.00 grant from the Florida Exotic Pest Council to the Florida
Keys Scenie Highway Project for printing costs for the Florida Keys Green Thumb education and
outreach program. The Green Thwnb Program will work with local plant nurseries to encourage
homeowners to remove invasive exotic plants from their landscape and replace them with Keys Friendly
plants.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Goal I of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway CotTidor Management Plan is to protect, preserve and
enhance the resources found within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway corridor and to provide an
integrated environment that allows flourishing habitats for indigenous plant and animal communities
while permitting appropriate access to these resources consistent with sound environmental planning.
The "Green Thwnb Certified" is a project of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Advisory Group which
will provide educational materials to nurseries who follow Keys-friendly guidelines.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
Resolution 116-2001- Approval of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Advisory Group Agreement
CONTRACT! AGREEMENT CHANGES:
none
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
approval
TOTAL COST:
o
BUDGETED: Yes
No ---.15;
COST TO COUNTY:
o
SOURCE OF FUNDS: FDEP
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No X
AMOUNT PER MONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management _
ji
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
Not Requircd_
DOCUMENTA TION:
Included X
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
RESOLUTION NO.
- 2005
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM
THE FLORlDA EXOTIC PLANT PEST COUNCIL FOR THE
FLORIDA KEYS GREEN THUMB EDUCATION AND
OUTREACH PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Advisory Group Agreement was
approved by the Board of County Commissioners on February 22,2001; and
WHEREAS, Goal 1 of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Management Plan is to
protect, preserve and enhance the resources found within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway
eorridor and provide an integrated environment that allows flourishing habitats for indigenous
plant and animal communities while permitting appropriate access to these resources eonsistent
with sound environmental planning; and
WHEREAS. the Florida Exotic Plan Pest Council has provided funding to complete
education and outreach programs to educate the public about non-native invasive plants and their
affect on the environment and economy of Florida; and
WHEREAS. the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Advisory Group proposes to initiate the
Florida Keys Green Thumb Program in cooperation with the Florida Keys Invasive Exotic Task
Force to educate Keys homeowners about non-native invasive plants;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT IT:
Approves acceptance of a grant of $1,000.00 for the Florida Exotic Pest Council for the Florida
Keys Scenic Highway Advisory Group to print educational materials for the Florida Keys Green
Thumb Program.
The remainder of this page was intentionally left blank.
PASSED i\ND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 20th day of July, 2005.
Mayor Dixie Spehar
Mayor Pro Tern Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner David P. Riee
Commissioner Murray E. Nelson
(Seal)
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Attest:
By:
Clerk of Court
Mayor
( Seal)
Oal.:
County Attorney's Office
Florida Keys Green Thumb Program
2005 Project Proposal
FLEPPC Education and Outreach Small Grants
Project Title w Florida Keys Green Thumb Program
Project Description:
The project will be a collaborative partnership effort between The Nature
Conservancy, The UF/lFAS/Monroe County Extension, and the Florida Keys Scenic
Highway Program, acting as the educational committee of the Florida Keys Invasive
Exotic Task Force. This new effort will establish a "Green Thumb" recognition to
plant nurseries in Monroe County that pledge to not sell invasive exotics, educate
their customers on the adverse effects of invasive exotic plants and environmentally
harmful landscaping practices. The project will also produce an updated Florida
Keys Invasive Exotic Removal Guide, an educational poster for display, and a Green
Thumb Nursery website.
Location - Monroe County, Florida (see map Attachment A)
Target plants:
Being at the southern extreme of Florida, the Green Thumb project will target the 11
Category One and 28 Category Two invasives as ranked by the 2005 Florida Keys
Invasive Exotic Task Force. This is equal to 22 Category One and 13 Category
Two invasives on the FLEPPC 2003 Ust. It is also our hope to limit sale of the 32
Category Three (to be watched) invasives. Six of the worst plant invaders to the
Florida Keys are Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), Brazilian pepper (Schinus
terebinthifolius), Asian lather leaf (Colubrina asiatica), seaside mahoe (Thespesia
populnea), lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala), and bowstring hemp (Sansevieria
hyacinthoides).
Target audience:
The Florida Keys is home to 26 Retail Nurseries, Landscapers, and 38,700
Homeowners.
Method of implementation:
Educational Materials: Design and Production of a brochure and posters. In-kind
contributions will be provided by aU partners and matching funds for printing are
available through existing funds from the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Program and
the Nature Conservancy.
Outreach: UFIIFAS/Monroe County Extension Horticulture agent will provide direct
outreach to each garden center/nursery through regional educational seminars and
personal visits. Businesses will be encouraged to participate in the program.
Page 1 of 5
MonroeFLEPPCgrant2005
kegabel@ifas.ufl.edu
abel-kim monroecoun -fl. ov
Alison Higgins
The Nature Conservancy
Florida Keys Field Office
P.O. Box
Summerland Key, Florida
(305) 745-8402 ext 111
ahi ins@tnc.org
Elizabeth Holloway
Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Coordinator
Monroe County Growth Management
2798 Overseas Highway, Suite 400
Marathon, Florida 33050
(305) 289-2521
Holloway-liz@monroecounty-fl.gov
Florida Ke s Invasive Exotics Task Force
Public information (newspaper, radio),
brochure design, check list development, I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Brochure printing, project summaries I
evaluation, reports, web site I
!
I
!
J
Guidance
Description of prior activities that may help applicant accomplish the project:
UF IIF AS/Monroe County Extension-Prior activities:
I] Native Plant events: The Nature Conservancy Plant Fair, Keys Energy Services
tree giveaway, Windley Key Native Plant Sale - Extension horticulture agent and
Master Gardeners provide homeowners with horticultural information about native
and invasive plants species.
Lectures: horticulture agent educates homeowners and landscapers about the
right tree, right place concept and how to maintain plants properly through correct
planting and maintenance practices.
[1 Websites: information on proper horticulture practices and plant selection for the
Keys
Newspaper articles: information on proper horticulture practices and plant
selection for the Keys
The Nature Conservancy has expansive experience with invasive plant education and
removal in the Florida Keys. Through its GreenSweep program, the Conservancy has
been responsible for educational programs and articles that have reached tens of
thousands of keys residents and decision makers as well as inspiring the volunteer
removal of countless acres of invasive exotic plants. The Nature Conservancy has also
been chair of the Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force for over a decade and
gained support through the local nurseries for a Monroe County ordinance against Cat I
and II plants which was quelled by a State of Florida ruling.
Page 3 of 5
MonroeFLEPPCgrant2005
Public Information: The Nature Conservancy will manage media coverage in local
newspaper and radio to increase local community awareness and participation.
Web sites: The Green Thumb program will be highlighted housed on the new Florida
Keys Scenic Highway web site, and linked to the Nature Conservancy, and the
UF/lFAS/Monroe County Extension, our FDEP BIPM Working group site and at least
10 other Keys related conservation and gardening websites in the Keys.sites.
. Timeline for completion: July 2005 through July 2006
October 2005
Se tember 2005
Februa 2006
to December 2005
Summary of expected results:
A reduction in the sale, use and cultivation of Category I and II invasive exotic
species on the Class I and Class II lists.
An increase in retail nurseries selling more native landscape plants.
Description of an evaluation component that demonstrates project success in
reaching target audience:
Participation: 50% of nurseries enrolled in Green Thumb Program.
Educational scope: Number of hits to website"
Interviews with participating nurseries, landscapers, homeowners that demonstrate
knowledge and participation.
Depending on the elements to be fufilled such as not selling invasives, Category 2
will not be attainable. Nurseries will still continue to sell lantana, blue porterweed,
fountain grass to name a few.
B) Collaborative organizations and descriptions of their contributions:
Monroe County Extension Office I graphic design, poster production, green
Kim Gabel, Environmental Horticulture I thumb check list, site visits
Extension Agent
1100 Simonton Street
Key West, FL 33040
305 292-4504
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M(;mroeFLEPPCgrant2005
Total project costs and detailed budget, and cost justification:
Posters- Design and layout-Monroe County Extension
Printing-Monroe County Growth Management
lamination-Monroe County Extension
Brochures-
graphic layout provided by Monroe County Extension Service
printing- $ 1,000.00 -FDOT District 6 Scenic Highway Funds
1 ,OOO-Nature Conservancy
1,OOO-FlEPPC grant
total $3,000
In kind- staff time:
Monroe County Extension
Outreach- 150 hours
Developing Educational materials 30 hours
Nature Conservancy-50 hours
Public Information-Press Releases, Presentations, Consultation
Monroe County Planning-30 hours
Project Coordination/Evaluation
Poster production, brochure development and printing
Web site coordination
Contact information for applicant:
Elizabeth Holloway
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Coordinator
Monroe County Planning
2798 Overseas Highway. Suite 400
Marathon, Florida 33050
(305) 289-2521
Holloway-liz@monroecounty-fl.gov
Page 4 of 5
MonroeFLEPPCgrant2005
Attachment A: Project Location
Monroe County, Florida
Page 5 of 5
MonroeFLEPPCgrant2005