Something went wrong on State Road 65 in the Apalachicola National Forest and the Florida DOT did it!
Photo diaries about wildflowers and trees, birds and bugs, and maybe some critters as I wander around and learn about the natural beauty of our world.
September 2014
Yesterday was another workday on the Florida National Scenic Trail that runs thru the Apalachicola National Forest. Sponsored by the FL Trail Association, Apalachee Chapter, it was the usual crew of Mike, Rayanne and me altho others often participate or have their own days (Karen, Richard & Al - that I know of.) I go along mostly so I can check out the wildflowers and other interesting things like the black bear we saw coming down the forest road earlier this summer. I'm also a sucker for hard labor as some of you know.
One of the highlights is driving down SR-65 thru Liberty County to admire the roadside wildflowers. This area is a biological hot spot and well-known to plant enthusiasts in North Florida as well as visitors from across the country. This pdf explains a lot. Quoting:
Liberty County Fall Wildflower Self-Guided Tour on State Road 65
To protect the wildflowers along state road 65 through the Apalachicola National Forest, the Florida Department of Transportation only mows a 6 foot strip along each side of the road during the growing season. This provides a safe place to pull off the road during emergencies. Please do not use this safety strip to cruise or park when enjoying wildflowers. There are many forest roads along this route that you may pull into so you can get out and see the flowers.
And here is what we saw:
Note this DOT sponsored sign. Ain't it pretty?
Mile after mile of recent mowing, from the roadside to the power poles, well beyond the specified 6' strip. And guess what - they mowed both sides of the road. Gone are 1000s of fall wildflowers during peak blooming time, and gone are the Pitcher Plants in the wetter ditches.
Maybe this was an accident but I doubt it. A crew just doesn't go out there and spend days mowing without being directed to do so. This Thursday is our monthly FL Native Plant Society chapter meeting so I hope to find out more then.
For those that are interested, here is a link to FNPS documents including plant lists and photos of the endemic or endangered or simply beautiful wildflowers we lost.
Nice backgrounder and lots more including video on local carnivorous plants.
2011 article about the planning and care that went into the last road resurfacing. Quoting Eleanor Dietrich who has lead the effort along SR-65 and has spent hundreds of hours working out details with DOT: The roadside right of ways will be mowed completely at the end of the growing season (usually early November) to cut down the sprouting trees and weedy growth, and to disperse ripe seeds from the flower bloom. This should greatly enhance the beauty of this special place.
A link from Visit Florida talking about how special Liberty County is.
A link from FL Wildflowers.org with a pdf based on DOT study of the benefit of roadside wildflowers. Check out this quote: Liberty County, which includes SR 65 from Telogia to Sumatra, continues to be the best place in Florida to view native wildflowers.
Full DOT report on their roadside study.
Rainy day in North Florida and all along the Gulf Coast. I meant this as a Daily Bucket at first but alas I type too slow and Elizaveta scheduled first, so I'll go with late afternoon or early evening. Really I just wanted to get this out there before I move on to something else and never publish. Looking forward to your comments, observations and insights into the ways of your local DOT.
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