RootRake photos on Flickr

Habitat edge by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

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Where the restoration site meets the tree line, a unique habitat “edge” is created. Edges are used by many species, such as deer, black bears, and Florida panthers.

Prescribed fire by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

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Frequent fires are an important part of keeping upland ecosystems healthy in Florida. This prescribed fire is being used by managers to return nutrients to the soil, prevent plant diseases, and encourage regrowth and flowering of our native fire-dependent plants.

Root raking by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

After the herbicide treatments fully eliminate the exotic grasses, the restoration site is prepared using a root-rake. Root-raking is similar to disking. It's a mechanical treatment that is geared toward removing and chopping up heavier woody debris and thick root mats.

After herbicide by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Multiple herbicide treatments are often required to kill the exotic plants that are difficult to eliminate. Native plants cannot compete with these exotic grasses, and fire alone usually won’t get rid of them.

Big Bend Annex - Pre-planting by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

This photo shows the beginning stage of a restoration effort at the Annex in the Tide Swamp Unit of Big Bend Wildlife Management Area.

One of our upland habitat research flagship programs, the Native Groundcover Restoration (NGCR) Program, began working on a restoration site in Big Bend Wildlife Management Area in 2006. NGCR is a collaborative effort between FWRI and the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation – specifically the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system. The goal is to restore areas with low or no value as wildlife habitat, such as relict agricultural fields, clear cuts or improved pastures. The restoration goals are mainly pine flatwoods and sandhills, and to date the FWC has restored almost 2,500 acres on 18 different management areas.

Room to sprout by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Although it looks like a lot of bare soil, these empty patches leave important openings for native wildflowers to come in and sprout.

Food sources by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

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A diversity of grass species provides a wide variety of food sources for wildlife.

Big Bend Annex - Before by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

This 'before' photo was taken after the exotic pasture grasses were killed with herbicide and before the native seed mixture was planted at the restoration site.

Palmetto and lovegrass by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Other native species, like saw palmetto and lovegrass, are growing along with the wiregrass.

Blazing star blooms by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

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The spectacular blooms of blazing star also create a beautiful landscape for humans to enjoy! To learn more about FWC upland habitat research, visit our website.

Two years after planting by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

This photo was taken about two years after planting. The native species that were planted have started to establish themselves on the site. Some native species, like wiregrass, can delay germination for up to two years, so this process can take a while.

Wiregrass by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

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This photo shows the unique ground cover structure created by native bunchgrasses, like this wiregrass. This “clumpy” grass is important for wildlife such as small mammals and ground-nesting birds.

1984 CAT 936 (18) by Big Iron, Inc.

This Caterpillar 936 wheel loader is for sale. Contact Big Iron, Inc to learn more about this loader or for any used heavy equipment you might be looking for.

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1988 Komatsu WA320-1 (1) by Big Iron, Inc.

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Komatsu WA320-1 wheel loader for sale. Contact us for more information.

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