Friday, October 28, 2011

We Value Your Input

Did you attended the fertilizer/pesticide GI-BMP class? If so, will you please take just a few minutes of your time and complete this online survey. Thank you. I appreciate your time and input.

Class Offered on "Sabal Palm and Texas Phoenix Palm Decline'

On November 18th the University of Florida, Hillsborough County Extension and the Tampa Bay Watershed Forest Working Group will present 'The Uncertain Future of Florida's State Tree – Sabal Palm and Texas Phoenix Palm Decline'.

We will be outlining TPPD research and spread in Florida; discussing the existing ecological and economic information on cabbage palm and trying to answer what are the ecological, hydrological, wildlife, economic, and cultural implications if Sabal palm disappears from the landscape?

The goals of this workshop are:
1. Showcase the importance of Sabal palm
2. Identify knowledge gaps
3. Recognize threats
4. Encourage researchers to pursue further study
5. Create a focal point or clearinghouse for Sabal palm research and collaboration

Several sites are available for you locally to video conference into this workshop, please choose a site near you and register today!
• Hillsborough Co. Extension (the origination site & face-to-face option): http://sabalpalmtppd.eventbrite.com/
• Charlotte Co. Extension: http://charlottecountyextension.eventbrite.com/
• Collier Co. Extension: http://colliercountyextension.eventbrite.com
• Lee Co. Extension: http://floridastatetreepolycom.eventbrite.com
• Pasco Co. Extension – please call BJ Jarvis at 352-521-4288
• Polk Co. Extension – please call Nicole Walker at 863-519-8677

Agenda
8:30 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. Video and Introduction – Rob Northrop, University of Florida IFAS, Hillsborough Co. Extension
9:15 a.m. Why Sabal Palms ar Important to Florida's Ecosystems
David Fox, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation
9:45 a.m. Economic and Cultural Importance of Sabal Palms – Jono Miller
10:15 a.m. Texas Phoenix Palm Decline: Pathology and Diagnostics
Nigel Harrison, Ph.D. - Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale REC
11 a.m. Geographic Spread and Vector Analysis of TPPD
Susan Halbert, Ph.D. - Florida Depart. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry
11:45 a.m. Lunch - will be provided as part of registration fee
1 p.m. Case Studies – TPPD and Sabal Palm Mortality
1.E.G. Simmons Park – Ross Dickerson, Environmental Specialist, Hillsborough Co. Conservation Services
2.Lakeland Florida – Brian Dick, Asst Superintendent of Parks, Hillsborough Co.
3.City of Tampa – Kathy Beck, Natural Resources Supervisor Hillsborough Co.
2 p.m. What don’t we know – what we need to know?
3 p.m. Closing Remarks – Michael Andreu, Ph.D., University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation

Warning from Watershed Division Regarding Vehicle Decals

Please note that the grace period deadline given in Ordinance #10-06 has passed and anyone working in Pinellas County without having been issued a Pinellas County vehicle decal for landscape maintenance or fertilizer services is subject to enforcement for noncompliance.

For landscape maintenance certification: we have scheduled 5 certification class dates in November (see below). Register online at www.pinellascountywaterquality.eventbrite.com

Classes in English:
Nov 1 at Brooker Ed Center (Tarpon Springs-registration closes tomorrow, Saturday 10am)
Nov 9 at Extension Center (Largo)
Nov 16 at Weedon Center (St. Pete)

Classes in Spanish:
Nov 10 at Extension Center (Largo)
Nov 30 at Brooker Ed Center (Tarpon Springs)
Each landscape maintenance person is allotted an extension when registered for class. Keep your ticket receipt on hand to show the inspector if you are stopped before your scheduled class date.

For fertilizer application certification: there is a 3 step process to obtain your decal (links below)—step 1 take the GIBMP, step 2 get your FDACS fertilizer license, step 3 provide documentation to Watershed Mgmt to get your vehicle decal. Applicators are not in compliance until they have been issued a vehicle decal from Pinellas County.

Extensions will only be given until 12/31/11. Those applying fertilizer in Pinellas after January 1st 2012 without a decal will receive an initial $50 fine without further warning. Fines are cumulative per violation per day.

The GIBMP class is available online at https://gibmp.ifas.ufl.edu/.
The license application is available online for printing at http://www.freshfromflorida.com/onestop/forms/13677.pdf
The affidavit for vehicle decal is available online for printing at http://www.pinellascounty.org/environment/pdfs/Affidavit_for_vehicle_decal_fertilizer_applicators.pdf

Please avoid fines for noncompliance by obtaining your vehicle decal immediately.

Thank you,


Anamarie Rivera
Environmental Specialist
Pinellas County Watershed Management Division
300 South Garden Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone (727) 464-4605
Fax (727) 464-4403
arivera@pinellascounty.org

GI-BMP Instructor Training Class

December 6, 2011
Naples Botanical Garden
4820 Bayshore Drive
Naples, FL 34112
8:15 am to 4:00 pm
Registration Required

To register, please go to this website complete the Application Form by following the eligibility criteria described on the site, and submit to Alberto Chavez by no later than Thursday, December 1, 2011. If you have already been accepted in the program please register by replying to Alberto Chavez and letting him know that you want to attend this class.

After reviewing the application and determining that you meet the requirements, you will receive an email confirmation and additional class information.

Becoming a certified GI-BMP instructor is a four step process:

1. Attend a GI-BMP class and pass the test with a minimum score of 90%
2. Apply to become an instructor by meeting the eligibility requirements and completing the attached form
3. Attend the GI-BMP Instructor Training class and pass the test with a minimum score of 75%
4. Co-train with an experienced instructor

If you have questions please contact Alberto Chavez at Alberto.Chavez@dep.state.fl.us or 239-417-6310 x222.


Alberto Chavez
GI-BMP Regional Coordinator [South]
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
300 Tower Road
Naples, FL 34113
239-417 6310 x 222
FAX 239-417 6315