T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve
Subjects, Resources, Info Sheet
APOXSEE--“Policy 1.2.4. There is a sense of refuge and spiritual restoration, a kinship with living things that comes with being in a wilderness where, as David Bower stated, ‘the handiwork of God has not been obscured by the industry of man.’”
levels of protection:
—deed restriction/conservation easement placed by circuit court 1984
—by County ordinances 90.33,
—by an adopted comprehensive land use plan,
—by state legislation Ord. 2008-002 protecting the Myakka River’s as “Wild and Scenic.”
—voter approved referendum1982: Ordinance 82-94: open space to be managed “in an environmentally sensitive manner” Resolution No. 82--200 “at least as restrictive as adjacent lands “(Myakka River State Park).
“Public use of the Ringling-MacArthur (Carlton Reserve) Tract in County ownership will be limited to water consumption, open space and recreation, with recreational activities receiving highest priority, being characterized as non-consumptive, ecologically benign and resource based.” ”wildlife and endangered species habitat”
Description/facts
“surficial aquifer”: wetlands, pine flatwoods, mesic hammocks
100 +/- miles trails, 24565 acres, 39 sq. miles, 106,000 contiguous acres of native landscape
borders “Wild and Scenic” Myakka River, Myakka River State Park, SWFloridaWMD
water resource, treatment, storage, transmission
recreational centerpiece, Legacy and blue ways trails, wildlife corridor, river to river
“right land/right use” criteria determine land uses
activities: “leave no trace” camping, hiking, biking, paddling, birding, wildflower, photography, geocaching, environmental education, horseback riding,
History
turpentine, timber, cattle
Windy Sawgrass Camp, Turpentine Camp, “victory garden” on river
Land management SC Natural Resources
land management plan--surveyors notes, adoption and revisions
fire--two catastrophic fires
timber thinning and prescribed burns
security: poaching, dumping, vandalism
invasive: hog trapping and plants: pepper trees, cog on grass, old world climbing fern, melaleuca
seasonal flooding and changes in hydrology (trails)
flora/fauna surveys, wildlife monitoring, endangered species protection
habitat protection, especially wetlands
Balancing use and preservation
staffing/volunteers—less money relative to acreage in public ownership than all but one county
parks and recreation/ natural resources/water utilities
volunteers: 16,000 hrs in 10 years— at $20.85 = $333,000
Programs and Activities of Friends
FireFest January 27, wildlife monitoring, public education
Themed walks: insects, astronomy, birding, family biking, wildflowers
maintenance, invasive plant removal, maps, website, visitors’ cabin
Websites
http://www.carltonreserve.org see 10 year summary and galleries
Native plants and Florida friendly landscaping
· Florida Native Plants Nursery in Sarasota. http://www.floridanativeplants.com/index.html
· Native blueberry plants and other edibles. http://www.floridanativeplants.com/edibles.html
· Florida Friendly Landscaping: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html
· Courtesy of Friends of Carlton Reserve: http://www.carltonreserve.org/
· Join the Friends of Carlton Reserve: http://www.carltonreserve.org/join/