METHODS

The EEL Program—A Local Conservation Initiative

Understanding that protection and preservation of biological diversity is in the public’s interest[10], Brevard County’s voters supported a bond referendum authorizing the issuance of ad valorem tax bonds for up to $55 million, or up to 20 years, to acquire, protect, and manage endangered lands and to make improvements as appropriate for provision of public access, passive recreation and environmental education. Approval of the referendum in 1990 established Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program.

EEL Land Acquisition Program

• EEL Land acquisition procedures were established by two citizen committees:
  • EEL Procedures Committee—Ten volunteer members experienced in land acquisition are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The Procedures Committee developed the EEL Land Acquisition Manual, the primary source for procedural guidance relating to land acquisition activities.
  • EEL Selection & Management Committee (SMC)—Seven volunteer members with extensive credentials in conservation biology, geology, botany, and ecosystem management are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. This science-based committee is responsible for the selection of lands for acquisition and provides guidance on management planning of the EEL Program’s Sanctuary Network.
• To achieve the EEL Program’s goal of protection of biodiversity, lands are objectively assessed under three primary scientific criteria established by the SMC: the value for species, the natural communities present, and the landscape context. These criteria are more fully described in the EEL Land Acquisition Manual.
• The EEL Program acquires endangered lands from voluntary willing-sellers under procedures and scientific criteria established by the SMC. The EEL Program does not regulate or restrict private land rights. The Nature Conservancy provides professional land acquisition support as part of a contract with the EEL Program.
• The EEL Program is partnering with the State of Florida’s Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Program and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) to acquire critical habitat areas.

EEL Sanctuary Management Program

• The EEL Sanctuary Management Manual (SMM) developed by the EEL SMC and Staff directs conservation and land stewardship decisions implemented by the EEL Program. It details principles for conservation, public access and environmental education within the EEL Sanctuary Network.
• Principles of Conservation—Ten Principles of Conservation established by the SMC serve as the foundation for balancing management and public use issues with the responsibility of resource conservation. These are detailed in the SMM.
• Ecosystem Management—The EEL Program employs an integrative, flexible approach to land management. Due to the variability of scrub habitat types and conditions, management goals must be based on site-specific habitat conditions and arrangement.8 Habitat management tools utilized by EEL Staff to restore/enhance scrub habitat quality include prescribed fire, mechanical cutting of tall scrub, tree thinning and removal of exotic invasive pest plants.