2013–14 La Florida, “Land of Flowers” Community Planting Grant

2013–14 La Florida, “Land of Flowers” Community Planting Grant
Okeechobee Rd/Midway Rd and St. Lucie Fairgrounds ticket gate, Ft. Pierce,
St. Lucie County
1. Please enter your 7 character Project Code, for example, JAM0409.
JOA1006
2. Name
Joanna Huffman
3. Address
8400 Picos Rd
Ft. Pierce, FL 34945
4. Email
jhuffmansigner@comcast.net
5. Phone Number
(772) 370-3500
6. Cell Phone Number
(772) 370-3500
7a. In 2013, the wildflower display is best described as:
Moderately showy
7b. Additional comments about the showiness of the wildflower display:
Two sites: Okeechobee Rd/Midway road is moderately to extremely showy
The circle in front of the ticket gate in St. Lucie County fairgrounds is not very showy at all.
8. List all species by Latin/scientific name that were part of this wildflower landscaping project. Note those that
were purchased with funds from this grant.
Liatris chapmanii
Sorghastrum secundum
Gaillardia pulchella
Coreopsis leavenworthii
Chamaecrista fasciculata
Solidago fistulosa
Liatris gracilis
Helianthus debilis
Polygonella polygama
Verbesina virginica
Eupatorium mohrii
9. Was a story published in a newspaper or newsletter that described the wildflower project and included
information about the environmental, historical and/or cultural significance of Florida’s native wildflowers?
St. Lucie County Government: www.stlucieco.gov/media/12151.htm
St. Lucie County Newspaper: www.tcpalm.com/news/sl-plant-wildflowers_00848191.
10. Was a story was done by a local TV station that described the wildflower project and included information
about the environmental, historical and/or cultural significance of Florida’s native wildflowers?
No
11. Was a story published on a web site that described the wildflower project and included information about the
environmental, historical and/or cultural significance of Florida’s native wildflowers?
No
12. Was a story posted on YouTube that described the wildflower project and included information about the
environmental, historical and/or cultural significance of Florida’s native wildflowers?
No
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13. If optional outreach methods were used, like a lecture about native wildflowers that you held at the site,
please describe the activity and the outcomes.
Yes, I gave a brief speech at the local bee keepers association in Fall of 2013. I created a short power
point, I had no handouts or educational signage.
14. The impact of your Florida native wildflower landscaping project is very important to the Foundation.
a) As a result of your wildflower project are you aware of any government agency, business, group, or
organization in your county that is:
Strongly considering establishing a new native wildflower landscape bed or meadow, or planting native
wildflowers along a road or highway in 2014
b) As a result of your wildflower project are you aware of any homeowner in your county that is:
Strongly considering establishing a new native wildflower are you aware of any homeowner in your
garden, landscape bed, or meadow in 2015
16. If you recorded the number of people viewing or visiting the native wildflower landscaping project, please
provide the results.
No records of this. Also, per # 14 and 15 I do not know of anyone that is considering planting a
wildflower garden; governmental or homeowner. That was not one of your options.
17. If your planting failed (succumbed to weed pressure, accidental mowing, flooding, etc.), please explain why. Okeechobee/Midway was successful, although MUCH of the seeds in the seed mix did not germinate
at all. (The only seeds that germinated from the seed mix in abundance were the Gaillardia, a scant few
Coreopsis leavenworthii, and Chamaecrista fasciculata.
Circle failed due to extremes in heat, flooding and then drought, and weeds. We sun soilerized the
area, but it was really just to big for it to be effective. The circle is 92’ diameter and required 8 rows. The
tape really wouldn’t stick and by the time 6 weeks was up, the plastic was dry rotting. For us, soilerizing
was ineffective and not budget friendly.
JOA1006 Page 2
2013–14 La Florida, “Land of Flowers” Community Planting Grant
Okeechobee Rd/Midway Rd and St. Lucie Fairgrounds ticket gate, Ft. Pierce,
St. Lucie County
Sun Soilerization of the circle (Illona Christie right, Richard White
center, Joanna Huffman left). July, 2013.
Photo by Joanna Huffman.
Okeechobee Rd/Midway Rd site.
March 27, 2014. Photo by Ken Gioelli.
Okeechobee Rd/ Midway Rd site taken from the pedestrian bridge.
March 27, 2014. Photo by Ken Gioelli.
Okeechobee Rd/Midway Rd site.
March 27, 2014. Photo by Ken Gioelli.
Blanketflower at the Okeechobee Rd/ Midway Rd site.
August 25, 2014. Photo by Mary White.
JOA1006 Page 3
Blanketflower at the Okeechobee Rd/ Midway Rd site.
August 25, 2014. Photo by Mary White.
Okeechobee Rd/Midway Rd site in full bloom.
September 14, 2014. Photo by Joanna
Huffman.
Visitors to the Okeechobee Rd./Midway Rd site. Spanish Needle/
Bidens alba, unknown spp of butterfly/moth. September 14, 2014.
Photo by Joanna Huffman.
Flowers and main signage at the Okeechobee
Rd/ Midway Rd site. September 14, 2014.
Photo by Joanna Huffman.
Juan Carlos left and Ken Smith Right digging
and setting a DO NOT MOW sign at the
Midway Rd. Okeechobee Rd site. September
14, 2014. Photo by Joanna Huffman.
Seeding the circle (Ken Smith, right, Juan Carlos center). The circle was transformed into a memorial for St.
Lucie County veterans. A border of Muhly grass was planted around the border and the wildflower mix in the
center. September 14, 2014. Photo by Joanna Huffman.
JOA1006 Page 4
SL PLANT WILDFLOWERS
BY: Erick Gill
TAG: st lucie county (/topic/st+lucie+county)
FORT PIERCE — The Florida Master Naturalist Program through the University of Florida, recently planted native Florida wildflowers at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds and Equestrian Center along State Road 70. Florida Master Naturalist
Joanna Huffman coordinated a team of volunteers to plant two areas at the fairgrounds with more than a pound of wildflower seeds. This project is sponsored by the 2013 La Florida, Land of Flowers, Community Grant funded by Florida’s
State Wildflower license plate.
The wildflowers weren’t just put here for their good looks, although they do beautify the landscape and create a naturally
appealing view. Wildflowers have adapted to our state’s conditions and pests, they typically require less water, fertilizer
and pesticides than other flowers. They also support numerous species of native wildlife, from bees to hummingbirds.
Plants form the first level of the food chain for herbivores, such as deer, rabbits, squirrels and mice. Birds eat flower seeds
and the insects that live among the wildflowers. Insects use wildflowers as food and nectar sources. Wildflowers also serve
as shelter, platforms for eggs and places for animals to ride out cold weather and hide from predators. If you watch your
wildflowers you will notice a web of inter-connectivity between plants and animals.
Having wildflowers in your yard increases plant and animal diversity in your neighborhood.
If you would like to start a wildflower garden in your yard, and would like some guidance and advice from the experts,
The Florida Wildflower Foundation is the best place to start. Planting and care of wildflower gardens is not difficult, but
best results can be achieved by following the proper steps. The Florida Wildflower Foundation website can provide you
with all the information you need, including where to purchase seeds, what flowers work best for your area, when the
best planting times are, how to prepare the site for seeding, and how to care for the flowers before and during the growing
period. They can also, give you advice on irrigation, weeding and fertilizing, as well as on cautions that should be taken.
Florida Wildflower Foundation http://flawildflowers.org
Florida Master Naturalist Program http://www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu
Purchasing Wildflower Seeds http://www.floridawildflowers.com
Project Credits
This project was made possible by a generous grant from the 2013 La Florida, Land of Flowers, Community Grant funded
by Florida’s State Wildflower license plate. Partners include the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds and the Florida Master
Naturalist – St. Lucie Chapter.
Project Manager
Joanna Huffman, Florida Master Naturalist
Team
Illona Christie
John Carlos Dominguez
John Dunton
Mark Glassner
Kibby Jorgensen
Holly O’Brien
Ken Smith
Mary White
Richard White
Fairgrounds Coordinator
Summer Ivey-Platt
Florida Master Naturalist Governing Board Member
Ken Gioeli, Extension Agent III/Natural Resources and the Environment
UF/IFAS St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension
8400 Picos Road, Ste 101 Fort Pierce, Fla. 34945
772-462-1660 Ktgioeli@ufl.edu
Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
JOA1006 Page 5
St Lucie County Florida Online || Media Relations
Media Relations
Page 1 of 1
Records Requests
Tuesday, June 19, 2013 - Florida Master
Naturalists Receive Wildflower Grant
SLCTV
The St. Lucie Chapter of the Florida Master Naturalist Program is the recipient of a 2013 La
Media Relations Homepage
SLCTV - Video On Demand
Florida, Land of Flowers, Community Grant funded by Florida's State Wildflower license plate.
2014 News Releases
Funds will purchase $500 of native wildflower seeds which will be planted in the perimeter of the
2013 News Releases
field adjacent to State Road 70 and Midway Road at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds. A site
near the entrance will also be planted with wildflowers.
2012 News Releases
2011 News Releases
The goals of this project are to build awareness and knowledge of native wildflowers and plants
2010 News Releases
and their roles in Florida’s ecosystems. These wildflowers will benefit native pollinators which will
Annual Budget Information
Mission Statement
County History
Website Link Policy
General FAQ
Building FAQ
Other Helpful Links
enhance pollination of nearby citrus groves and reduce the need to mow. Reduction in mowing
saves energy and requires less manpower. In addition, it will increase the curb appeal of this
acreage.
Grant co-principal investigators are Ken Gioeli, UF/IFAS Natural Resource Extension agent for
St. Lucie County, and Joanna Huffman, project manager & Florida Master Naturalist. Summer
Ivey-Platt is the Fairgrounds coordinator and project collaborator. Mary White is president of the
Florida Master Naturalists- St. Lucie Chapter.
The Florida Wildflower Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich
lives with Florida’s native wildflowers. The group administers the “La Florida” grants program.
The Florida Master Naturalists are affiliated with the UF/IFAS St. Lucie County Cooperative
Extension and partner organizations such as the Oxbow Eco-Center, Savannas Preserve State
Park, Manatee Observation and Education Center and Wrensong Science and Environment
Education.
For additional information, please contact Joanna Huffman, project manager, at 772-370-3500 or
Mary White, president, Florida Master Naturalists – St. Lucie Chapter at 772-335-8044.
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JOA1006 Page 6