We'll be cutting down sand pines in the scrub habitat in the northeast section of FWC Crooked Lake to create more usable habitat for Florida's endangered species.

This type of pine will take over a Scrub Habitat, eliminating homes for endangered species and harboring predators.

We’ll be using hand saws, sawsalls, and chainsaws (for qualified Ridge Rangers)

 Scrub Habitat is brushy, sandy, and has uneven terrain -- you’ll want to wear sturdy protective footwear, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and a hat for sun protection.

Please bring your work gloves and hiker's water bottle or similar. We’ll have all the tools needed and plenty of cold drinking water.

FWC Crooked Lake is roughly about five miles to the west of the City of Frostproof.

We'll be meeting along Old Stokes Road on the east side of FWC Crooked Lake

The meeting area is located about 0.6 miles north of US 98 on Old Stokes Road. 

Old Stokes Road intersects with US 98 about 1.5 miles west of US 27.

The meeting location doesn't have a street number address, please see the colored marker in this Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/cqAwphPwAU22

About FWC Crooked Lake Wildlife and Environmental Area

Prior to its purchase, habitats on Crooked Lake WEA were managed for cattle and citrus production. Some habitats were cleared and planted with pasture grasses and fire was generally excluded from others. Today, management activities focus on the restoration and maintenance of critical habitats for the gopher tortoise, which will benefit other upland species such as Sherman’s fox squirrel and southeastern American kestrel, as well as the indigo snake, Florida mouse, gopher frog and other gopher tortoise burrow residents. Biologists are reintroducing fire, reconnecting wetlands and working to eliminate nonnative invasive plant species such as old world climbing fern, cogongrass, tropical soda apple, rosary pea, Guinea grass, Peruvian primrose willow and Caesar’s weed.

Learn more at http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/crooked-lake/