Page 9 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - February '24

Jupiter Ocean Mile, Page 9
Northern Notes

Nonnative Species And Unfortunately, nonnative species also encroach and A recent incident
reside in many of the same areas. While some do not cause
involving the
Hunting On Northern Property problems, others are considered invasive, meaning they shooting of Egyptian
negatively impact native fish and wildlife, cause extensive geese on the bank
By Katie Roundtree, damage, or threaten human health and welfare. of a lake owned by
Director of Finance and As discussed last month, wild hogs are one type of Northern Palm Beach
Administration, Northern invasive species whose population continues to expand County Improvement
Palm Beach County as they become used to different climates. Iguanas, District was brought
Improvement District Burmese pythons, tegus, Cuban tree frogs, cane toads, to the attention of
Northern Palm Beach Muscovy ducks, and Egyptian geese are other commonly Northern’s staff and
County Improvement District encountered invasive species in our area. Board of Supervisors.
(“Northern”) owns over Nonnative species are not protected in Florida except During a recent
2,000 acres of preserves, by the anti-cruelty law, Florida Statute § 828.12. They can board meeting, the
approximately 50 miles of be captured and humanely killed on private property at B oa rd m e m be rs
canals, and more than 370 any time with landowner permission. The Florida Fish and discussed the hunting
water bodies with associated Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends of invasive species
maintenance areas or easements. An abundance of native contacting a nuisance wildlife control operator if on Northern-owned
animals and plant species reside in those areas. Northern’s concerned about invasive species on their property. A list property. They asked that all landowners be made aware
staff take pride in ensuring their continued success. of trappers can be found at MyFWC.com/Trappers. of the following.
Please be advised that, while permissible on private
property with permission, hunting an invasive species
is expressly prohibited on real property owned by the
Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District.
This property includes lakes, canals, parks and preserves
owned by Northern. The only exception is state-licensed
trappers authorized by Northern to trap and remove wild
hogs, threatening alligators, or other invasive species.
The FWC asks that the public report sightings of
nonnative species. Reporting observations helps to manage
nonnative species. The best reports of nonnative species
are credible reports. These are reports that the FWC can
verify for the species in question, and all necessary data
is included. Credible reports contain three elements.
• A photograph showing the animal in question that is
not blurry and has a high enough resolution so that it can
be enlarged to ensure species identification
• The location where the animal was seen. GPS
coordinates are best, but the location can also be a street
address or a detailed description of the area.
• The date when the animal was seen
You can use the web form at IveGot1.org to report
nonnative animals. The form will prompt you for the
information and has a map where you can select the
location if you do not have the GPS coordinates.
NPDES tip: Don’t feed wildlife, especially near ponds,
lakes, and streams. Attracting a large amount of wildlife
to one location can lead to an increase in nutrients and
bacteria level from wildlife waste. This can contribute to
the pollution of our lakes and streams.

Town Of Jupiter News from page 8

by the town. Through classes and tours of everything
from our parks to our water plant, Jupiter U sessions
are a great way for residents to meet one another and
learn more about the town they call home. Registration
for this program begins in March.
Town board or committee members also help the
town with important input. Whether you’re passionate
about urban planning, environmental issues or
community safety, there’s likely a committee that
aligns with your experience and interests. These groups
play a vital role in shaping policies and decisions
that directly impact the town. Requirements vary,
10 and then Government, then Boards & Committees.
and residents can apply by visiting the town website
%
While the cutoff for appointments is typically in early
February, residents can apply at any time for future
consideration. These committee meetings are open to
10 OFF
the public for additional opportunities to contribute
– the Planning and Zoning Commission and Historic
Resources Board are particularly popular.
OFFER EXPIRES MAR 16TH
OFFER EXPIRES MAR 16TH
Navigating Public Comments
When attending council or committee meetings, you
have the opportunity to share your thoughts through
public comments. Offering constructive input is not
only encouraged but also essential for success. Many
residents draft comments and read them at the podium,
or submit written comments before or during meetings
to council at TownCouncil@jupiter.fl.us or the town
clerk at TownClerk@jupiter.fl.us. Providing a new
perspective or insight in some detail is valuable in
shaping comprehensive and inclusive policies.
Participating in town governance is a rewarding
experience – we invite you to join us in shaping the
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