WILDLAND WEEDS
15
The Development
In May of 1999, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda
Storms’ office received a letter from a concerned resident and
environmental activist in southern Hillsborough County, the late
Barbara Waddell. The letter contained a number of requests/
suggestions concerning environmental protection in the Ruskin
area and the Cockroach Bay ecosystem, with particular focus on
the control and eradication of invasive plant species such as
Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), lead tree (Leucaena leu-
cocephala), and Australian pine (Casuarina spp.). Suggestions con-
cerning the control and eradication of invasive non-native plant
species included: identification of one point of contact through
which county eradication efforts could be coordinated; increased
public outreach and staff education programs; improved coordi-
nation with state and federal exotic control efforts; contact with
other counties to identify successful control tactics; and better
coordination in the use of volunteers.
In response to these concerns, the County Administrator’s
office directed the formation of the Invasives Control Work Group
to evaluate County efforts to control and eradicate non-native pest
plant species. The work group consisted of individuals from
numerous County departments, as well as interested citizens.
Over a 12-month period, the group formulated recommendations
and presented them in a report to the Hillsborough County Board
of County Commissioners. Following the Board’s approval on
August 16, 2000, administrative staff from the Parks and
Recreation Department and the Public Works Department met to
implement the recommendations, with the Parks and Recreation
Department in the lead role. In October of 2001, the Hillsborough
County Invasive Species Task Force (ISTF) was born.
Who makes up the Invasive Species Task Force?
The Hillsborough County Invasive Species Task Force (ISTF)
is made up of several Hillsborough County Departments, local
and state government agencies, non-profit organizations, private
organizations, and most notably, the citizens. These partners
include:
Hillsborough County Departments
Parks Recreation and Conservation
Conservation Services
Maintenance Services
Parks Services
Planning and Growth Management
Office of Neighborhood Relations
Extension Service
Public Works
Specialized Services
Mosquito Control
Stormwater Management
Real Estate
Solid Waste Management
Environmental Protection Commission
Other Government Entities
Cities of Tampa and Temple Terrace
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Non-Profit Partners
Tampa Bay Watch
Wildlife Fellowship Inc.
Mayor’s Beautification Program
The Florida Aquarium
Citizen and Other Partners
Ruskin Community Development Foundation
Tampa Electric Company
The four main goals of the Task Force are to: remove existing
non-native invasive plants on public lands and stem their spread
to other sites; facilitate citizen involvement and volunteerism with
control and removal of invasive plants; create awareness and edu-
cate the public about the existence and harm of invasive plants to
Florida’s native plants and wildlife; and educate the public on
invasive plant control, eradication techniques and the importance
of native habitat.
Accomplishments
Over the past four years, the Task Force has accomplished
several projects. Invasive removal workdays are held at least four
by Ross Dickerson, Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department
A Task Force is Born
There are over 80,000 acres of public land in Hillsborough County
A FLEPPC Education & Outreach Grant Sponsored Program
Public Lands
County Nature Preserves –
41,300 acres
Other Public Land –
46,500 acres
Hillsborough
County
Locater Map
Legend
Hillsborough County, Florida
times per year and the number
of volunteers increases each
time. The ISTF has received
over $250,000 in grant fund-
ing to produce public out-
reach and education materials
and remove invasive species
from public lands. Many of
the ISTF members provide
outreach to the Tampa Bay
area. The Tampa Electric
Company (TECO) produced a
bill insert explaining invasive
plants and distributed it to cus-
tomers around Tampa Bay. They also funded the Task Force’s dis-
play board that is presented at local events. The monthly newslet-
ter produced by the Office of Neighborhood Relations contains an
informative article showcasing a different invasive plant. The Task
Force and Extension Service produced a homeowner seminar that
educates people on invasive plants with hands-on experience.
Task Force members are frequently asked to present this seminar
at homeowner association meetings, master gardener meetings,
environmental events, etc. These helpful and informative contri-
butions by the ISTF were good, but something else was needed to
educate Tampa Bay citizens on why these plants are bad and how
to deal with them.
Due to the overwhelming number of requests for
invasive species information, the Task Force pro-
duced “Identification and Control of Non-Native
Invasive Plants in the Tampa Bay Area,” a field guide
for homeowners and professionals. This guide cov-
ers 20 of the most common invasive plants found in
homeowners’ yards in the Tampa Bay area. It assists
the reader in identifying each plant by describing
the species characteristics, habitat, and growth
habits. The guide also explains control methods
(cut-stump, basal bark, and foliar) and types and
proper usage of herbicides, gives tips to eradicate
the pest plants, and offers suggestions for native plant replacements.
To date, there have been thousands of field guides distributed
throughout the Tampa Bay region and the State of Florida.
Other projects recently completed or in the final stages of
completion are a field guide on CD that allows people to see larg-
er images of the plants, and the “Wicked Weeds” video funded by
the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. This video allows the viewer to
see the plants and points out identification characteristics, and
demonstrates control methods and safety measures such as prop-
er personal protective equipment (PPE). Even though the Task
Force has completed these projects, there is still much to do.
Future Endeavors
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa recently installed an invasive
species exhibit describing both invasive plants and animals. The
Task Force will be working with Aquarium staff on upgrading
their exhibit as time goes on. The Tampa Electric Company
(TECO) has a manatee-viewing center in south Hillsborough
County, located near the Big Bend power plant in Apollo Beach,
where people can see hundreds of manatees utilizing the warm
water from the plant during the winter months. They also have
Florida friendly gardens and information about native plants in
the area. In the near future, the Task Force will produce an inva-
sive species page on the TECO website.
Tampa Bay citizens have asked the Task Force to produce a
brochure that not only has pictures of invasive plants, but also
pictures of suggested native replacements. This brochure is cur-
rently in production and will include five Category I plants that
are found for sale locally and five native or sterile plant substi-
tutes. Most importantly, future goals include making changes to
the Land Development Code of Hillsborough County, the devel-
opment of a County Policy for landscaping, and the creation of the
Invasive Species Strike Team.
The Strike Team will consist of dedicated volunteers who
will attend a rigorous training class to educate them on plant
identification, herbicide use, and safety. Then, under the direc-
tion of a licensed herbicide applicator, the volunteers will treat
invasive plants in public areas. The implementation of the Strike
Team will allow the Task Force to cover more area than ever
before, and bring Hillsborough County one step closer to con-
trolling pest plants.
Speak Up
Were it not for Barbara Waddell, a native to Michigan, and a
“snowbird” to Ruskin, the Hillsborough Count Invasive Species Task
Force might never have been formed. Barbara and the “Pepper
Patrol” realized early on the problems that invasive exotic plants
cause, and made it her mission to make everyone else realize the
same. She made the right people aware of her concerns, raised local
government awareness and, as a result, the Task Force was born.
For more information on the Hillsborough County Invasive
Species Task Force or to obtain a copy of the “Identification and
Control of Non-Native Invasive Plants in the Tampa Bay Area”
field guide, contact Ross Dickerson, Invasive Species Task Force
Coordinator at 813/671-7754, or by email at dickersonr@
hillsboroughcounty.org
16
FALL 2005
Work Day volunteers handing branches to County staff to be chipped
Volunteers cutting and dragging Brazilian
pepper branches at Sun City Heritage
Park, Ruskin