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