The USFWS has issued the permit for the Tippen Bay Conservation Bank (TBCB), located in southern DeSoto County, FL, and to date has released the 239.3 credits associated with Phase I of the bank which are available for sale. The TBCB has established and manages the property as a conservation area that provides off-site mitigation alternatives for public and private developers for permitted activities that involve impact to the Florida scrub-jay. The placement of this property under a conservation easement benefits a diverse assemblage of native wildlife and plant species by expanding the existing network of conservation lands, resulting in large contiguous tracts of managed habitats known as the Brighthour/Fisheating Creek Conservation Corridor. The Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), federally and state listed as threatened, is the primary target species for this conservation bank. Other federal and state listed species, as well as non-listed species will benefit from this project.
These objectives will be accomplished by implementing a restoration program which includes restoration of converted upland habitats, monitoring to measure the effectiveness of the restoration, implementing a long term management program, and establishing a conservation easement and financial assurances to ensure the continued management of the TBCB in perpetuity. Due to the large area the entire TBCB encompasses, there a phased approach to the release of credits has been established.
Phase 1 comprises 239.3 acres, including 78.6 acres of Scrub-Jay Type I Habitat consisting of xeric oak scrub, and 100.1 acres of Type II Habitat, consisting of palmetto prairie. A total of 39.8 acres of habitat previously cleared, but currently utilized by scrub-jays, will be enhanced to provide native shrubland habitat that will serve as important connectors and foraging areas. Phase 1 is occupied by three groups of scrub-jays that are currently utilizing the xeric oak, palmetto prairie and improved pasture habitats. Phase 1 also includes habitats that make up a portion of the travel corridor that scrub-jays utilize to move between Phase 1 and Phase 2 and 3 habitats. Portions of these will be enhanced to improve the structure to be more conducive for jay movement. These corridors are highly significant to the long-term survival of this population and must be preserved and managed to allow for continued movement and future immigration. Enhancement of the 39.8 acres of pasture in Phase 1 has begun and achievement of success criteria will be demonstrated prior to release of Phase 2 credits.
Click HERE for the Tippen Bay Conservation Bank Certification Letter.
