Page 16 - Talk of Tequesta - February '24

Page 16, The Talk Of Tequesta

norThern noTes

Nonnative Species And Hunting On Northern Property

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

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

Jupiter Senior

Softball

The Jupiter Senior
Softball Association’s
2024 Winter League,
featuring a record
15 teams competing 747-PALM
in three divisions,
began Jan. 8 and runs 747-7256
through the end of
March.
A total of 187
players turned out
for the league, which
is the cornerstone
of the year-round Commissioner Paul Storch
slow-pitch softball
program. There are six games every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday morning at Maplewood Park.
Persons 55 and older are eligible to join and there is
no upper age limit.
As the competition began, League Commissioner
Paul Storch said, “Everybody is looking forward to
having a fantastic time over the next approximately
three months. We have more players than we’ve ever Life moves fast—
had.” And more continue to sign up, he said.

The league’s three-division format allows games prepare for the unexpected
for more competitive players as well as those desiring
a more relaxed style of play. After the winter with Accident Insurance.
league ends pickup games are held the
remainder of the year.
The senior softball program is sponsored
by the nonprofit Jupiter Senior Softball
Association in cooperation with the
Town of Jupiter’s Parks & Recreation We’re here to help.
Department.
For more information about
the softball program, including Accident insurance complements your Florida Blue Health Plan. Call to learn more
sponsorship, or to about insurance plans from USAble Life.
register, contact
Gary Newman at M&A Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
(917) 623-0791,
or go to www. 561-440-9940
leaguelineup.
com/jssa. M&A Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is an Independent Broker of Florida Blue.
Florida Blue is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Supplemental, Life, and Disability products are offered by USAble Life. USAble Life is an independent company
and operates separately from Florida Blue.
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