A group of locals protecting Split Oak Forest for the future
The agenda for the upcoming Florida Communities Trust meeting on April 20 has been released and allowing the Osceola Parkway Extension to be built in Split Oak will be considered. Please call in or attend in person in Tallahassee to voice your opposition.
Call in instructions are in the Agenda.
IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTION!
The CFX board is having their virtual June meeting tomorrow morning at 9. They are proposing appointing Charles Lee to the Environmental Stewardship Committee. THIS IS NOT GOOD.
Sacrificing the Osceola portion of Split Oak Forest to appease the developers in return for other, inferior land has been his pet project for the past three years. It is the opposite of environmental stewardship.
WE NEED as many of you as possible to DO THE FOLLOWING by 5PM TODAY:
Please post the following or similar comment by emailing to Public.Comment@CFXway.com or by visiting the
Friends of Split Oak strongly object to the appointment of Charles Lee because of his history of supporting compromise with developers rather than supporting policies that prevent environmental exploitation. He firmly advocates sacrificing a portion of meticulously-conserved preserve for 1500 acres of degraded, unsuitable or detached land, which is a numbers game to appease the developers of this project. For this reason he is deeply distrusted by many in the environmental community. The links below illustrate that this distrust dates back at least 31 years. Appointing him to the Environmental Stewardship Committee would in effect be “putting the fox in charge of the guarding the hen house.”
https://www.csmonitor.com/1989/0412/arift.html
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/20151005/BUSINESS/812025431
Our Split Oak Charter Amendment is likely going to pass another significant hurdle tonight @ 5:30pm 💚
Want to do a public comment in support? Please consider it! You must email katie.smith@occompt.com and jessica.vaupel@occompt.com with a request to speak, they'll respond with an invite to the WebEx meeting.
Your concise and well-articulated public comment could provide the impetus an undecided CRC member needs to pass our resolution. Please consider making a 15 second to three minute comment in support. I will be available for tech support. My number is 386.852.2539.
You're also welcome to just watch the meeting on Orange TV using this link.
Friends of Split Oak Forest, Inc. on Friday February 28, 2020 filed a notice of voluntary dismissal “without prejudice" of their ongoing Sunshine Law lawsuit (Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Case No. 2018-CA-00152) against Osceola County in order to utilize their resources to oppose any changes to Split Oak Forest’s protections at the state level. “Without prejudice” means the suit could be refiled in the future if necessary.
In 1998, an amendment to Florida’s Constitution to expressly protect conservation lands was approved by 72 percent of the voters and became enforceable. Article X, Section 18 of the Florida Constitution prohibits the disposition of conservation lands unless there has been a determination that the property is no longer needed for that purpose.
“There is a feasible alternate alignment of the Osceola Parkway Extension that has been optioned by the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) that would completely avoid Split Oak Forest. However, this route is more expensive and CFX has begun to pursue using Split Oak Forest, a public park, for the toll highway,” says Valerie Anderson, President.
The Split Oak Forest was purchased with state funding and is subject to the Florida Constitution. In a 2015 report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife commission, the Forest’s managing agency since its creation, stated that none of Split Oak Forest should be disposed of. The land’s high value has not changed and all of it is needed for the reasons for which it was originally acquired, which include wetland and Gopher Tortoise mitigation. The Wildlife and Environmental Area is also protected by a number of additional conservation easements held by various governmental agencies. They have not been released and remain in place protecting the property, as stated in the original documents, in perpetuity.
The Friends of Spit Oak Forest will continue to fight to preserve these lands that were acquired for conservation and mitigation purposes and have been expertly managed for endangered species and as a public park for twenty-six years.
For additional information contact: Valerie Anderson, valerie@friendsofsplitoak.org, 386.852.2539
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
First episode! Quick update on the lawsuit and we are tabling at several upcoming community events.
NARCOOSSEE- Learn about gopher tortoises and their habitat with hands-on activities: science, arts, native plants, nature walks on the Florida National Scenic Trail at Split Oak Forest. Meet Sheldon, an ambassador gopher tortoise! Events will be taking place all afternoon from 1-5. This event is free and open to the public.
Gopher tortoises were relocated to Split Oak Forest when their homes were destroyed elsewhere in Central Florida to make way for development. Money from the now-defunct gopher tortoise entombment program was also used to purchase Split Oak Forest originally. Split Oak Forest is the perfect place to celebrate these amazing, long-lived herbivores.”
Valerie Anderson, President, Friends of Split Oak Forest
Gopher Tortoise Day increases awareness of this fascinating creature and the need to protect its habitat. Gopher tortoises are listed Threatened by the State of Florida and are experiencing rapid habitat loss. Gopher tortoises are a keystone species of North America’s longleaf pine forest, providing refuge for over 350 other species in their burrow, including native bees. Gopher Tortoise Day, April 10th, was designated by the Gopher Tortoise Council as an annual celebration of gopher tortoises.
The two major threats to gopher tortoises are habitat loss due to development and road mortality, for example, getting hit by cars. Gopher tortoises require open, dry, sandy upland habitats with abundant low-growing vegetation such as pine flatwoods, scrub, and coastal dunes. Split Oak contains all of those habitats except coastal dunes. Gopher tortoise habitat requires regular and careful management . Gopher tortoises have coexisted with native plants and animals of Florida for centuries.
Participating organizations include:
Press Release [odt] [pdf] | Official Event Page
About Friends of Split Oak Forest: Friends of Split Oak was founded in 2018 in response to plans by the Osceola Expressway Authority to build the Osceola Parkway Extension right through Split Oak to serve Tavistock’s Sunbridge development. Friends of Split Oak Forest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the health and integrity of Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area, which is a 1700-acre conservation area managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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Thanks to all of the intrepid citizen scientists tireless documenting (and uploading) their observations, seven new species have been documented for Split Oak in the past two months: three plants, one moth, one mammal, a cicada, and a dragonfly! To see all of the species found in Split Oak by citizen scientists to date, check out the Project.
American Black Nightshade (Solanum americanum) by Stacy Klema Jan 15, 2019
Orange Virbia Moth (Virbia aurantiaca) by Rob Sena on Jan 13, 2019
Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) by species_spotlight on Dec 16, 2019 (uploaded Jan 24)
Dwarf Bayberry (Morella pumila) by Valerie Anderson on February 24, 2019
Northern Bluethread (Burmannia biflora) by jessical2 on February 3, 2019
Little Green Cicada (Cicadetta floridensis) by William Hull on May 19, 2016 (uploaded Jan 21)
Banded Pennant (Clithemis fasciata) by William Hull on May 19, 2016 (uploaded Jan 21)
Agalinis fasciculata Beach False Foxglove (not on FWC list)
Amphicarpaea bracteata American Hogpeanut (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Apios americana Groundnut (not on FWC list, likely)
Asclepias curtisii Curtis's Milkweed (not on FWC list)
Asemeia grandiflora Showy Milkwort*
Amphicarpum muhlenbergianum Blue Maidencane
Aristida palustris Longleaf Threeawn
Asimina angustifolia Slimleaf Pawpaw
Bacopa caroliniana Carolina Water-Hyssop
Boehmeria cylindrica False Nettle (not on FWC list, likely)
Calopogon tuberosus tuberosus Tuberous Grass Pink
Campanula floridana Florida Bellflower (not on FWC list)
Carphephorus carnosus Pineland Chaffhead (endemic, not on FWC list, likely)
Carphephorus odoratissimus var. subtropicanus Pineland Purple (endemic, not on FWC list, likely)
Centella asiatica Gotu Kola (invasive)
Chamaecrista nictatans Sensitive Pea (not on FWC list, likely)
Chapmannia floridana Florida Alicia (not on FWC list, likely, endemic)
Clitoria mariana Atlantic Pidgeonwings (not on FWC list, likely)
Conoclinium coelestinum Blue Mistflower
Ctenium aromaticum Toothache Grass (not on FWC list, likely)
Crocathemum carolinianum Carolina Frostweed (not on FWC list)
Crocanthemum corymbosum Pinebarren Frostweed (not on FWC list)
Desmodium floridanum Florida Ticktrefoil (not on FWC list, likely)
Desmodium incanum Creeping Beggarweed (non-native, not on FWC list, likely)
Desmodium paniculatum Panicled Ticktrefoil (not on FWC list, likely)
Desmodium tenuifolium Slimleaf Ticktrefoil (not on FWC list)
Desmodium tortuosum Florida Ticktrefoil (not on FWC list, it's nativeness is debated)
Desmodium triflorum Threeflower Ticktrefoil (not on FWC list, non-native, likely)
Desmodium viridflorum Velvetleaf Ticktrefoil (not on FWC list)
Dyschoriste angusta Pineland Twinflower (not on FWC list)
Dyschoriste humistrata Swamp Twinflower (not on FWC list)
Dyschoriste oblongifolia Oblongleaf Twinflower (not on FWC list)
Epidendrum magnoliae Green Fly Orchid
Eryngium aquaticum Swamp Rattlesnake Master (not on FWC list)
Eupatorium album White Thoroughwort (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Eupatorium compositifolium Yankeeweed (not on FWC list, likely)
Eupatorium leptophyllum False Fennel
Eupatorium serotinum Late Boneset (not on FWC list, very likely)
Funastrum clausum White Twinevine (not on FWC list, likely)
Harrisella porrecta, Needleroot Airplant Orchid (not on FWC list, likely)
Hydrolea corymbosa Skyflower*
Hymenocallis palmeri Alligator Lily*
Hypolepis repens Creeping Bramble Fern
Ilex ambigua Carolina Holly
Ilex cassine Dahoon Holly
Ilex coriacea Large Gallberry
Indigofera caroliniana Carolina Indigo (not on FWC list, likely)
Indigofera hirsuta Hairy Indigo (not on FWC list, invasive, likely)
Indigofera spicata Creeping Indigo (not on fWC list, invasive, likely)
Juncus effusus solutus Eastern Soft Rush
Justicia angusta Pineland Waterwillow
Lachnocaulon beyrichianum Southern Bogbutton
Lechea torreyi Piedmont Pinweed
Lindernia grandiflora Savannah False Pimpernel (not on FWC list, likely)
Lobelia feayana Bay Lobelia (not on FWC list)
Lobelia homophylla Pineland Lobelia (not on FWC list)
Lobelia puberula Downy Lobelia (not on FWC list)
Ludwigia repens Creeping Evening Primrose
Lycopodiella caroliniana Slender Club-Moss
Lycopus rubellus Water Horehound
Lyonia lygustrima foliosiflora Maleberry
Malaxis spicata Florida Adder's-Mouth (not on FWC list, likely)
Matelea floridana Florida Milkvine (not on FWC list)
Mitreola sessilifolia Swamp Hornpod (not on FWC list)
Oldenlandia uniflora Clustered Mille Graines
Oplismenus hirtellus Woodsgrass
Opuntia stricta Shell Mound Pricklypear
Osmunda regalis spectabilis American Royal Fern
Oxypolis filiformis Water Cowbane
Palafoxia integrifolia Coastalplain Palafox
Panicum verrucosum Warty Panicgrass
Passiflora lutea Yellow Passionflower (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Passiflora suberosa Corkstem Passionflower (not on FWC list, likely)
Peltandra virginica Green Arrow Arum
Penstemon multiflorus White or Manyflowered Beardtongue
Pinguicula caerulea Blue Butterwort (not on FWC list, likely, Threatened)
Pinguicula lutea Yellow Butterwort (not on FWC list, likely, Threatened)
Platanthera ciliaris Orange-fringed Orchid (not on FWC list, likely, Threatened)
Pluchea foetida Stinking Camphorweed*
Physostegia leptophylla Slenderleaf False Dragonhead (not on FWC list)
Pithecellobium unguis-cati Catclaw Blackbead (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Polygonella robusta Sandhill Wireweed (endemic)
Polygonella basiramia Hairy Jointweed* (endemic)
Polygonella gracilis Tall Jointweed
Quercus chapmanii Chapman’s Oak
Quercus geminata Sand Live Oak
Quercus minima Dwarf Live Oak
Rhexia alifanus Savannah Meadowbeauty (not on FWC list)
Rhexia cubensis West Indian Meadowbeauty (not on FWC list)
Rhexia lutea Yellow Meadowbeauty (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Rhexia virginica Handsome Harry(not on FWC list, unlikely)
Rhynchospora fascicularis Fascicled Beaksedge
Rhynchospora inundata Narrowfruit Horned Beaksedge
Ruellia caroliniensis Carolina Wild Petunia (not on FWC list)
Rubus argutus Sawtooth Blackberry
Sagittaria lancifolia Lanceleaf Arrowhead
Schwalbea americana American Chaffseed (not on FWC list)
Scoparia dulcis Licorice Weed*
Setaria magna Giant Bristlegrass
Sida acuta Spinyhead Sida (not on FWC list, very likely)
Sisyrinchium nashii Nash's Blue-Eyed Grass (not on FWC list, likely)
Sisyrinchium rosulatum Annual Blue-Eyed Grass (not on FWC list, likely)
Sisyrinchium xerophyllum Jeweled Blue-Eyed Grass (not on FWC list, likely)
Smilax glauca Cat Greenbriar (not on FWC list)
Smilax rotundifolia Roundleaf Greenbriar (not on FWC List, unlikely)
Smilax pumila Sarsparilla vine
Smilax smallii Jackson vine (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Smilax tamnoides Bristly Greenbriar (not on FWC list)
Smilax walteri Coral Greenbriar (not on FWC list)
Spigelia loganoides Florida Pinkroot (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Blue porterweed (not on FWC list, likely)
Stylodon carneus Carolina Vervain (not on FWC list, likely)
Syngonanthus flavidulus Yellow Hatpins
Symphyotrichum adnatum Scaleleaf Aster (not on FWC list, likely)
Tiedemannia filiformis Water Cowbane*
Tillandsia balbisiana Spreading Airplant
Tillandsia bartramii Bartram’s Airplant
Tillandsia fasciculata Cardinal Airplant
Triadenum virginicum Virginia Marsh St. John’s Wort
Typha latifolia Common Cattail
Verbena scabra Sandpaper Vervain (not on FWC list, likely)
Vittaria lineata Shoestring Fern
Xyris fimbriata Fringed Yellow-eyed Grass
Xyris platylepis Tall Yellow-Eyed Grass*
Zanthoxylum fagara Wild Lime (not on FWC list, possible)
Matelea floridana Florida Milkvine (not on FWC list)
Mitreola sessilifolia Swamp Hornpod (not on FWC list)
Oldenlandia uniflora Clustered Mille Graines
Oplismenus hirtellus Woodsgrass
Opuntia stricta Shell Mound Pricklypear
Osmunda regalis spectabilis American Royal Fern
Oxypolis filiformis Water Cowbane
Palafoxia integrifolia Coastalplain Palafox
Panicum verrucosum Warty Panicgrass
Passiflora lutea Yellow Passionflower (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Passiflora suberosa Corkstem Passionflower (not on FWC list, likely)
Peltandra virginica Green Arrow Arum
Penstemon multiflorus White or Manyflowered Beardtongue
Pinguicula caerulea Blue Butterwort (not on FWC list, likely, Threatened)
Pinguicula lutea Yellow Butterwort (not on FWC list, likely, Threatened)
Pluchea foetida Stinking Camphorweed*
Physostegia leptophylla Slenderleaf False Dragonhead (not on FWC list)
Pithecellobium unguis-cati Catclaw Blackbead (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Polygonella robusta Sandhill Wireweed (endemic)
Polygonella basiramia Hairy Jointweed* (endemic)
Polygonella gracilis Tall Jointweed
Quercus chapmanii Chapman’s Oak
Quercus geminata Sand Live Oak
Quercus minima Dwarf Live Oak
Rhexia alifanus Savannah Meadowbeauty (not on FWC list)
Rhexia cubensis West Indian Meadowbeauty (not on FWC list)
Rhexia lutea Yellow Meadowbeauty (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Rhexia virginica Handsome Harry(not on FWC list, unlikely)
Rhynchospora fascicularis Fascicled Beaksedge
Rhynchospora inundata Narrowfruit Horned Beaksedge
Ruellia caroliniensis Carolina Wild Petunia (not on FWC list)
Rubus argutus Sawtooth Blackberry
Sagittaria lancifolia Lanceleaf Arrowhead
Schwalbea americana American Chaffseed (not on FWC list)
Scoparia dulcis Licorice Weed*
Setaria magna Giant Bristlegrass
Sida acuta Spinyhead Sida (not on FWC list, very likely)
Sisyrinchium nashii Nash's Blue-Eyed Grass (not on FWC list, likely)
Sisyrinchium rosulatum Annual Blue-Eyed Grass (not on FWC list, likely)
Sisyrinchium xerophyllum Jeweled Blue-Eyed Grass (not on FWC list, likely)
Smilax glauca Cat Greenbriar (not on FWC list)
Smilax rotundifolia Roundleaf Greenbriar (not on FWC List, unlikely)
Smilax pumila Sarsparilla vine
Smilax smallii Jackson vine (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Smilax tamnoides Bristly Greenbriar (not on FWC list)
Smilax walteri Coral Greenbriar (not on FWC list)
Spigelia loganoides Florida Pinkroot (not on FWC list, unlikely)
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Blue porterweed (not on FWC list, likely)
Stylodon carneus Carolina Vervain (not on FWC list, likely)
Syngonanthus flavidulus Yellow Hatpins
Symphyotrichum adnatum Scaleleaf Aster (not on FWC list, likely)
Tiedemannia filiformis Water Cowbane*
Tillandsia balbisiana Spreading Airplant
Tillandsia bartramii Bartram’s Airplant
Tillandsia fasciculata Cardinal Airplant
Triadenum virginicum Virginia Marsh St. John’s Wort
Typha latifolia Common Cattail
Verbena scabra Sandpaper Vervain (not on FWC list, likely)
Vittaria lineata Shoestring Fern
Xyris fimbriata Fringed Yellow-eyed Grass
Xyris platylepis Tall Yellow-Eyed Grass*
Zanthoxylum fagara Wild Lime (not on FWC list, possible)
For 48 hours, from 7pm October 26 through 7pm October 28 we had 26 participants who found 243 species of plants, animals, and fungi in a total of 627 separate observations. Our participants found 60 species completely new to Split Oak Forest and 10 additional species that had been seen by FWC but were not on iNaturalist (please see the Management Plan for their species list). This includes four threatened species: two butterflies, one grass, and one bird species.
Of course, species might continue to trickle in, we have a number of species within the project that have still not been identified to species level. Want to help? Jump in here.
This is less than the 88 new species we found during the Spring BioBlitz, but still good for a park that has been open to the public for 24 years and has already had multiple biological surveys.
Laura Goodding and Species_Spotlight led the pack in discovering new-to-Split Oak species, together finding 27% of our new species.
Species_Spotlight, with his focus on the lakes, found seven new fish species, only two of which were previously known to FWC.
Right behind him is Diane Willis, Ph.D., a grass expert. She found seven new species, including a State-Threatened grass, Florida Jointtail Grass.
Danny Goodding got a spectacular photo of a flying squirrel! He also found five new insect species.
See the species list and breakdown below, for a full species list visit our project's species page:
Deathcap (Amanita phalloides)
Small Mocis Moth (Mocis latipes)
Brown Birch Bolete (Leccinum scabrum)
Dog Vomit Slime Mold (Fuligo septica)
Blood Red Russula (Russula rosaceae)
White Arrow Arum (Peltandra sagittifolia)
Broad-tipped Conehead (Neoconocephalus triops)
Live-oak Root Borer (Archodontes melanopus)
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambus clarkii)
Everglades Pygmy Sunfish (Elassoma evergladei)
Golden Topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus)
Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) already known by FWC
Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus)
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) already known by FWC
Blue-spotted Sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus)
Least Killifish (Hederandria formosa)
Hairy Bluestem (Andropogon longiberbis)
Torpedo Grass (Panicum repens) FLEPPC Category I Invasive already known by FWC
Warty Panicgrass (Panicum verrucosum) already known by FWC
Hilograss (Panicum conjugatum)
Shortbeak Beaksedge (Rhynchospora nitens)
Florida Jointtail Grass (Coelorachis tuberculosa) State-Threatened
Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
Starbellied Orbweaver (Acanthepeira stellata)
Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)
Florida Tortoise Beetle (Hemisphaerota cyanea)
Polopinus youngi a Florida-endemic Darkling Beetle
Short-winged Bush Cricket (Hapithus brevipennis)
Lunate Zale Moth (Zale lunata)
Veiled Polypore (Cryptoporus volvatus)
Diaperis maculata a Darkling Beetle
Moderately Sulcate Warrior Beetle (Pasimachus subsulcatus)
Brochymena arborea a rough stink bug
Sosippus floridanus a wolf spider
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) (already known by FWC)
Shoestring Fern (Vittaria lineata) (already known by FWC)
Slender Blazing Star (Liatris gracilis)
Byssus Skipper (Problema byssus) State-Threatened
Palmetto Skipper (Euphyes arpa) State-Threatened
Trametes cubensis a poroid bracket mushroo
Margined Leatherwing (Chauliognathus marginatus)
Lined Topminnow (Fundulus lineolatus)
Taillight Shiner (Notropis maculatus)
Apache Jumping Spider (Phidippus apacheanus)
Leafy Oak Gall Wasp (Andricus quercusfoliatus)
Water Cowbane (Oxypolis filiformis) (already known by FWC)
Nodding Clubmoss (Lycopodiella cernua)
Carolina Mantleslug (Philomicus carolinianus)
Theatops posicus a bark centipede
Humped Bladderwort (Utricularia gibba)
Sarsaparilla Vine (Smilax pumila) (already known by FWC)
Laurel Dodder (Cassythia filiformis)
Odontocorynus larvatus (a flower weevil)
Licorice Weed (Scoparia dulcis) (already known by FWC)
Timulla vagans a species of velvet ant
Rabidoza hentzi (a species of wolf spider)
Violet Bromeliad Fly (Copestylum barei)
End Band Net-winged Beetle (Calopteron terminale)
Honey Mushroom (Armillaria mellea)
Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) State-Threatened (already known by FWC)
Tall Yelloweyed Grass (Xyris platylepis)