Lykes Ranch--Land Use Management Plans

Client: Lykes Brothers, Inc.

Location: Florida

Summary: The Lykes Ranch, located in Glades and Highlands counties, spreads out on 337,000 acres on one of the largest contiguous pieces of land in the state. The property is home to integrated cow-calf, forestry, sugar cane and landscape operations. Cardno ENTRIX has a long history or working with Lykes Bros., Inc. on a variety of different projects. A few examples are highlighted below.

Project: Basinger Cornwell Tract?Multi-Use Management Plan

Bassinger Cornwell Tract is a 45,000-acre tract in Highlands County, Florida. Cardno ENTRIX worked with the owner to develop a multi-use management plan that ranged from intensive agriculture to wildlife/habitat conservation. Cardno ENTRIX was contracted to assess the wetland and wildlife resources of this diverse central Florida tract. The initial investigation was directed toward regulatory permitting and later studies were relative to long-term wildlife management and maintenance including the development of a 2,000+ acre reservoir/wetland system, the maintenance and expansion of a 600-acre sand pine scrub, perpetuation of dry prairie systems for the grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), and development of management programs for game and other protected species. Management initiatives included controlled burning, mechanical clearing, exotic and nuisance species eradication, surface water management, and controlled timber harvesting.

This site now has 12,000+ acres of orange grove and 5,000 acres of improved and semi-improved pasture. Additionally, the grasshopper sparrow was determined to be thriving on this tract in response to agricultural management that included chopping and controlled burns.

Project: Fisheating Creek/Squirrel Island?Management Plan

Fisheating Creek/Squirrel Island is a 35,000-acre tract in Glades County, Florida. Cardno ENTRIX, Inc. has worked on the property in various capacities over the last 15 years. The purpose of these studies, which included creation of a management plan, was to maintain and enhance the value of the property for revenue, anticipation of mitigation credits, and possibly the establishment of a conservation or preservation system. We conducted a detailed environmental assessment of the entire tract including the Fisheating Creek basin. Cardno ENTRIX spearheaded the development of wildlife management initiatives for the perpetuation of wildlife populations occupying numerous habitat types. The focus was to maintain populations of game species and enhance the potential for protected species occupation of areas selected for environmental management. Habitats include cypress sloughs, emergent marshes, pine flatwoods, sand pine scrub, mesic hammock, and wet and dry prairies. Simultaneously, Cardno ENTRIX identified areas appropriate to citrus production and other agricultural uses, and assisted the client in obtaining permits needed to further those activities.