Click to return to Eagle's Nest Area Page
Brainstorm Participant, Jack Jost, sought an expert to evaluate the Eagle Area (Preserve). He called on Bruce Holst, Research & Conservation Department Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Here is his summary e-mail, in its entirety.
Date: June 27, 2005
To: Jack Jost
From: Bruce Holst, Research & Conservation Department Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Subject: RE: Landings "Eagle Preserve"
Hi Jack: Thank you for inviting me down to see the preserve. As the county report pointed out, the Landings Eagle Preserve is not much more than a harbor for exotic, invasive plants. While some of these plants provide a visual buffer, they offer little in the way of sustenance for wildlife, are unsightly, and provide a seed source that contaminates adjacent areas.
The Preserve appears to have been completely bulldozed some years ago with the exception of the pine trees. After clearing, the area was invaded by exotic herbaceous and woody plants. Only a few herbaceous native plants and some cedars have re-established, but they are far outnumbered by the exotic species in number of species and quantity, and are in danger of being completely overrun. What that means is that you have a nearly blank slate upon which to work in order to improve the aesthetics and create a preserve in the true meaning of the word. I strongly recommend keeping the pine trees, including leaving those that have died as snags for wildlife, and cedars but virtually nothing else there is worth saving. Some cleaning of vines from these desired trees would also be in order to help them grow as fast as possible.
It seems to me that the ideal solution would be to establish new visual barriers using native plantings while gradually reducing the thickets of Brazilian Pepper, China Berry, and other exotic trees. Removal of the exotic grasses and other herbaceous plants is a more complicated matter that would require further evaluation and planning. Planting native trees such as oaks, and cypress trees in the wetter area, as soon as a plan is developed would give you a head start.
I also suggest that your landscape plan incorporates some sort of walking trail, perhaps even interpretive in nature if the correct native plants are used. If well planned and hidden behind the visual barriers, visitors to the trail would not be seen by adjacent homeowners. This sort of project could enhance the property value for not only the adjacent neighbors, but also the entire Landings complex.
I recommend that you contact Laurel Schiller at Florida Native Plants nursery. She has been engaged in restoration efforts around the county and is very knowledgeable about the type of plants that would yield the quickest and best visual barriers for your situation. You can visit the Florida Native Plants website for contact information (www.floridanativeDlants.com).
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens