The Power of Partnerships

Jody ThomasThe Nature Conservancy

July 21, 2007

A Tale of 3 PartnershipsA Tale of 3 Partnerships

• Layering Protection on the Bass Ranch

• Protecting Florida’s Everglades, Estuaries and its ranchland wetlands

• Weeds Won’t Wait

Lake Wales Ridge LCA Lake Wales Ridge LCA (Large-scale Conservation Area)(Large-scale Conservation Area)

Restorable Wetlands

480,000±acres of restorable wetlands on grazing lands

Proposed Appraisal ChangeProposed Appraisal Change

• ''(2) METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE.-The Secretary shall

• determine the fair market value of land under paragraph (1) based on the

• option specified in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) that results in the

• lowest amount of compensation to be paid by the Secretary:

• '(A) A percentage of the fair market value based on the Uniform Standards

• for Professional Appraisals Procedures, as determined by the Secretary.

• ''(B) A percentage of the market value determined by an area wide market

• survey.

• ''(C) A geographic cap, prescribed in regulations issued by the Secretary.

• ''(D) The offer made by the owner of the land.''

INVASIVE PARTNERSHIPSINVASIVE PARTNERSHIPS Attend Sessions Monday to

get an in-depth view of Florida’s outstanding Invasive Species Partnership!

Florida Invasive Species Working GroupLeverageCoordinationSpecific projects like Central Florida Lygodium Strategy

Private Land Incentive Sub Working Group GoalsPrivate Land Incentive Sub Working Group Goals

• Create a matrix of opportunities for assistance

• Make recommendations to state to improve coordination of incentive programs or assistance programs to private landowners

– Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, USFWS

– DOACS– Natural Resources Conservation Service,

USDA– The Nature Conservancy– Bureau of Invasive Plant Management,

Florida DEP– Palm Beach County ERM– US. Army Corps of Engineers– Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission– Natural Resources Conservation Service,

USDA– Southwest Florida Water Management

District– South Florida Water Management District

– Andrea Van-Loan, DOACS

What Did We Learn?What Did We Learn?

• We can work together even if our missions are different

• Working at larger scales provides more benefits– money, ecological function, effective conservation, rural integrity

• If everyone is at the table, the solutions are better

• Patience