Lee County Extension
Sustainable Natural Resources Management Program Details

Project Areas: Natural Resources management (land and water habitats), Pesticide Use and Education

Target Groups: Commercial producers, Pesticide applicators, Builders and developers, Schools and Colleges, Communities near ground-water bodies, preserves and natural areas.

Program Objective: To educate and inform on issues affecting native flora and fauna - invasives, endangered and threatened species; and increase the awareness on pesticide usage and its impacts.

Program Strategies: Training, Public Awareness, Data collection

Training: Provides scientific knowledge and skills training to ensure ecologic harmony.

Aim: To train and educate target groups in the usage of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Best Management Practice (BMP) strategies to reduce dependency on pesticides, to further aid in reducing contamination of surface and ground water resources.

Public Awareness: Provides educational access to the general public to increase awareness of issues in Natural Resources protection and management.

Aim: To increase the general awareness and knowledge on invasive non-native plants and animals, protection of delicate areas and habitats, by enlisting community volunteer action.

Data collection: Provides current information on changing environmental relationships.

Aim: To collect data to inform of the presence, spread and introduction of invasives, on pests and diseases posing threats to native wildlife, as well as on threatened and endangered species.

Project activities:

1. Telephone and e-mails
2. Mailings
3. Fact sheets and newsletters
4. Training workshops, seminars, teaching and speaking engagements
5. Development of a volunteer program (Community Naturalists)
6. Data collection
7. County collaboration
8. Establish Natural Resources display areas in refuges and preserves visitor centers, and libraries