REMINDER / FOLLOWUP
APPLICATION DUE IN SYSTEM: Wednesday, May 4th, before midnight – There is no way around this deadline, all applications must be in by this date and time.
RANKING MEETING DATE: Friday, May 6, 2016 starting at 10:00 am at Circle B Bar Reserve 4399 Winter Lake Road Lakeland, FL 33803, at Polk's Nature Discovery Center in The Workshop
Good Day Everyone,
It is that time of year when public conservation lands are able to apply for funding to combat the invasive plants waging war on our natural systems. Please see the announcement below. I have also attached the annual letter that establishes this year's priorities and the Proposal handbook (which will be your best friend in working on your proposal and presentation for the ranking meeting).
Please note that this year in regards to the presentation, you will notice that slide #8 is regional criteria. This year, please use this slide to show us pictures of the area to be treated. These should be wide shot landscape type photos that show your treatment areas, to help the group access the natural state of the site, any treatment challenges, any successes – probably 4 pictures on this one page, so pick wisely J
Please review the priorities for this year, if this is your first year submitting an application please follow the steps in order in the handbook.
Let me know if you have any questions by email and I will do my best to get those answered and out to the entire group.
Excerpt From Annual Letter:
UPLAND INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Priorities and Procedures for Submitting Proposals
A Guidance Document for Regional Invasive Plant Working Group Liaisons and Applicants
February 2016
Funding for the "Uplands Program" is provided through the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund as set forth in Section
369.252(4), Florida Statutes, which reads: "use funds in the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund as authorized by the
Legislature for carrying out activities under this section on public lands. A minimum of 20 percent of the amount credited
to the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund pursuant to Section 201.15(6), F.S., shall be used for the purpose of controlling
nonnative, upland, invasive plant species on public lands."
The Uplands Program funds projects for the purpose of improving habitat conditions for Florida's plants and animals. Since
1997, the Uplands Program has expended $148 million to treat invasive plant species on 630 public land management areas
by funding 2,320 projects comprising over 2.5 million acres. Cooperating agencies contributed $47 million in matching
funds and in-kind services towards project funding.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
• The Uplands Subsection is currently seeking proposals for FY16/17. Applications for projects to control invasive plant
species must be submitted to a Working Group by the date specified. Each Working Group has its own schedule, so
applicants should consult the group's webpage or contact the designated group liaison.
• All proposed project sites must be public conservation land.
• Projects that are approved for funding will be paid for through a fixed price purchase
order issued to an approved Contractor, or through a task assignment issued to a government agency under an
existing state contract.
Interested applicants can find "FWC Weed Management Funding" program information on the Florida Invasive Species
Partnership website: http://www.floridainvasives.org/index.html under "Quick Links." Information related to submitting a
proposal is included in the Application Handbook located at http://www.floridainvasives.org/toolbox/projects/index.html
as the first link.
Any questions – please let me know!
Thank you very much – Let's Keep on those invasives!!
Tabitha Biehl
Environmental Lands Stewardship Coordinator
Polk County Parks & Natural Resources Division
4177 Ben Durrance Rd
Bartow, Fl 33830
Environmental Lands Program: 863-534-7377
Polk's Nature Discovery Center
At Circle B Bar Reserve
4399 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
Polk's Nature Discovery Center: 863-668-4673
cell: 863-899-8157
fax: 863-668-4677
Tabitha Biehl
Environmental Lands Stewardship Coordinator
Polk County Parks & Natural Resources Division
4177 Ben Durrance Rd
Bartow, Fl 33830
Environmental Lands Program: 863-534-7377
Polk's Nature Discovery Center
At Circle B Bar Reserve
4399 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
Polk's Nature Discovery Center: 863-668-4673
cell: 863-899-8157
fax: 863-668-4677
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