Northern owns and maintains approximately 2,000 acres of preserves throughout the 128 square mile District. It is an integral part of many of our residential communities and a pristine area of native Florida that we strive to protect.  Since these areas sometimes lie behind residents’ houses, we get many calls to trim back trees or take out trees that are not aesthetically pleasing. If it is warranted or threatening to property, we will trim back or remove vegetation, but in most cases, trees should be left in their native state.  Why is this? Why can’t we make the preserve areas look like parks?

First and foremost, we are required through permit with South Florida Water Management District, not to remove or kill any native trees or plants in the preserve. As for other more ecological examples, native trees and vegetation provide many benefits to wildlife.  Cabbage palms are Florida’s state tree. They provide housing for many animals such as squirrels, racoons, frogs, lizards, etc. Small rodents, lizards, insects, and even rare plant species rely on the uncut “boots” on a palm for a home. Squirrels and birds will use the palm thatch as nesting material and will often nest in the palm. Recently staff and preserve crews removed three cabbage palms from behind a resident’s home. When one of the palms dropped to the ground, seven newborn squirrels fell out of it. Staff had to build a temporary “home” for the babies close to the tree and hope that the mother came back to find them.  Many bird nests can also be lost because of cutting plants down.

 A 2019 study in south Florida found that cavity nesters, native woodpeckers specifically, favored palm snags over pine trees or maples in urbanized tropical regions. A snag is a dead tree. This is even more of a reason to keep standing snags in the preserve. We had a resident request to take out a maple snag from behind his home. It wasn’t threatening any property, just was a bit of an eyesore. Northern staff went to check it out and as soon they got close to the tree, a woodpecker flew towards them and into a small cavity it had built in the tree. Not only was there a nest, but there were several baby chicks inside that the woodpecker was feeding. Even more importantly, many of these birds and their nests/eggs are protected by federal law (The Migratory Bird Treaty Act).

We also get requests to remove rodents from preserves.  Northern staff does not treat for rodents or any other pests in the preserves. The baits and poisons used for that purpose are designed to attract and kill rodents, but are also known to attract other non-target mammals. Aside from the risk of primary exposure to non-target mammals in the preserves, there is also the risk of secondary exposure.

Rodents, including mice and rats, are a key component of the food chain in the natural ecosystems throughout the preserves. Many of the desired animals in the preserves rely on rodents as food, including animals such as hawks, owls, bobcats, foxes, and snakes. When the rodents are poisoned,  they become weak and are easy prey for predators. If these predators eat the poisoned rodents, they will get secondary exposure to the poison and will likely die. If we start targeting organisms on the lower end of the food chain, this will disrupt the rest of the food chain and could cause serious harm to the health of the preserves.

An essential part of preserving the preserves is to let nature be nature. Removing exotic species of plants and allowing for nature to take its course are important for the health of the preserves and the rest of our environment in south Florida.  Nature is not always perfectly groomed, but for everything there is a purpose.  What may seem like an old ugly tree to you, may be home to birds and other wildlife.  Leaving the preserves in their natural state is required and the right thing to do.