Robert Kluson

Agriculture/Natural Resources Extension Agent

University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension

1. Community-based Environmental Lands Management

In my capacity as a land manager of Sarasota County's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP), I facilitated the use of community-based land management on the county's environmental preserves.  ESLPP is a land acquisition program established to identify lands with high environmental value and develop strategies to protect these lands that was approved by two publilc referenda in March 1999. The Red Bug Slough Preserve was one of the first acquisitions of ESLPP.  It contains over 70 acres of a unique urban forest that provides wildlife habitat for a great biodiversity including bald eagle, red fox, river otter, wood duck, and a great variety of native butterflies.

Land management of ESLPP environmental preserves, such as the Red Bug Slough Preserve, require many aspects such as removal of exotic vegetation, hydrological restoration, prescribed burning, and the protection of historical resources. A major component also requires the establishment of public access and security for its use by the residents of Sarasota County.  For example, concerning security issues at the Red Bug Slough Preserve, a major challenge was its history as an uncontrolled urban area and the limited county staff resources to restrict unlawful activities.  To this end, the Red Bug Slough Preserve Neighborhood Watch Group was formed in 2002 with area residents to partner with the county and the land manager to address security issues.  Concerning public access issues at the Red Bug Slough Preserve, an environmental education program with initiated in 2004 with the Environmental Science Academy of Booker High School to partner with the county and the land manager to address public education and access issues.

The Red Bug Slough Preserve Neighborhood Watch Group was formed with the cooperation of the Neighborhood Watch Program of the Sheriff's Office of Sarasota County.  The members assists the land manager to recruit residents around the Preserve in an attempt to involve the entire community.  The members represent residents of single homes, condominiums and apartments in the community.

The Environmental Education Program of the Red Bug Slough Preserve received funding from the Learn and Serve program of SWFWMD's Legacy program.  This funding allowed fieldtrips of students and teachers from Booker High School to participate in onsite projects that were mentored by the Sarasota Butterfly Club and the FL Department of Forestry.

The Red Bug Slough Preserve Neighborhood Watch Group has successfully implemented the Neighborhood Watch model on the much larger scale of the community surrounding the Preserve (i.e., equivalent to about 6 regular size Neighborhood Watch Groups).  It holds regularly scheduled meetings where security issues are discussed with the area patrol officers and land manager. These meetings also serve an important role of keeping residents updated to land management plans and activities.  Due to the vigilance of a member who reported to the proper authorities, the illegal dumping of waste oil was successfully apprehended by county staff. According to police records and the members' testimony, the level of reported criminal activities on the Preserve has dramatically been reduced.

The Environmental Education Program of the Red Bug Slough Preserve has successfully assisted the land manager in providing public access.  For example, students completed a butterfly garden and signage at the entrance to the Preserve which was the focus point for a very successful grand openning event.  The hiking trails were greatly improved for public usage by the clearing projects completed by the students.  The field studies initiated in various habitats of the Preserve have contributed to the documentation and reporting of the impacts of land management activities.

The cumulative results are an important start to promoting community ownership and pride of this Preserve.  These residents and students now understand better that their "backyard" includes public spaces such as the Preserve. These programs have reached a multi-generational audience that should contribute to the goals of ESLPP to promote a continuing sense of place and balance for the present and future residents of Sarasota County.  It also demonstrates to the public that individual participation is a very worthwhile and meaningful endeavor by providing learning and service to their community.

2) Sustainable Agriculture Education and Policy Programs

During the process of the Evaluation and Appraisal Review (EAR) of the Comprehensive Plan of Sarasota County, UF/IFAS - Sarasota County Extension was asked in March 2005 by the county's Planning Services to assist in policy development to sustain agriculture.  In my capacity as the Agriculture/Natural Resources Extension Agent for Sarasota County, I facilitated the formation of the Sarasota Agriculture Policy Council (SAPC) to respond to this request.  The membership of the SAPC was designed to bring a broad representation of the agricultural community of Sarasota County.  For example, members included the Farm Bureau, Cattlemen Association, organic farmers, large ranchers, small farmers, environmental groups (Audubon & Sierra Club), public agencies (FL West Coast RC&D and NRCS), county staff (Natural Resources and Parks/Rec), allied ag industries, and staff of several elected state and national represenatives.

Meetings were regulary scheduled that included discussions and education on the central themes of sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and farmland protection. These concepts then were the basis of ag policy recommendations that were submitted to the Board of County Commissioners by members of SAPC.  The result is that now there have been adopted several new policy amendments in the Comprehensive Plan that are intended to provide support and incentives based on the concepts and principles of sustainable agriculture.

The SAPC continues to demonstrate a community-based and participatory process for the implementation of the county's initiatives in sustainability for the present and future benefit of agriculture and the rural community.  Currently the SAPC is planning public workshops and a community food system assessment that will educated even more interested groups to be stakeholders in this process and make its efforts more effective and sustainable.