Natural Resources

From scrub habitats in south Florida to cypress swamps in Louisiana, the Jackson Field Office (JFO) Natural Resource Program manages a variety of habitats unique in BLM. For example, at Lathrop Bayou in northwest Florida, JFO is working with private landowners to manage a relic longleaf pine flatwood that supports breeding red-cockaded woodpeckers and 13 Federally and State listed-plant species. Prescribed burns and careful hand thinning of encroaching slash pine is improving habitat for these species.   In October 2007, nineteen artificial cavities were installed at Lathrop Bayou to provide additional nesting and roosting opportunities for the red-cockaded woodpeckers.  In December, two juvenile red-cockaded woodpeckers, a male and female, were moved to the site from private forest lands in Georgia. The young female paired with a resident male and laid her first eggs in May. This year’s chicks have been banded and their progress will continue to be monitored. 

In south Florida, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area was established on May 7, 2008. This site is managed to benefit Federally listed perforate lichen, four-petal pawpaw, and Florida scrub jay, plus a host of other endemic plant and animals. Past actions have included the construction of a tidal wetland, removal of thousands of exotic Brazilian pepper and Australian pine, and three prescribed burns. 

Jackson Field Office