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Aquatic Plant Management

About the Program

The Section's aquatic plant management program designs, funds, coordinates, and contracts invasive non-native aquatic plant control efforts in Florida's 1.25 million acres of public waters under Florida Statute and Rule (Statutes 369.20 and 369.22, and Rules). Public water bodies are sovereignty waters accessible by public boat ramps. Invasive non-native aquatic plants, mostly hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), above, are managed in several hundred water bodies each year.

A Web Site for the interested public

A collaboration of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, and the Invasive Plant Management Section, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision.

Floridians ask many thousands of questions about a significant environmental and economic issue in our state: the management of our freshwaters, especially of aquatic and wetland plants. They ask their more-than-100 government management agencies, their legislative representatives, their educators and their advocacy groups. The Section is the "lead agency" for aquatic plant management in Florida. Here is an overview of the Section's role.

This web site was born of the need to help answer citizens' questions in a single, easy-to-get-to location.

For plant pictures, drawings, identification, information, books, etc.
feel free to check out our "parent site" at APIRS

The Authors

Have a question or need to contact us?

FAQs

Florida's Fresh Waters:

• 1.5 million acres of lakes and rivers
• 7,700 lakes and ponds
• 1,400 rivers and streams
• 450 public lakes and rivers
• Generates $1.9 billion annual fishing revenue
• Employs 19,519 jobs
• Generates $55 million annual state sales and motor fuel tax revenue

• Invasive Plant Growth verses Funding
• Why a lead agency is needed to coordinate invasive plant management in Florida
• Economics and Invasive Plant Management in Florida (summaries)

• Contact Us
• Aquatic Plant Management
• Uplands Plant Management
• Field Operations Program
• Research Program
• Regional Offices and Maps
• Invasive Species Working Group
• Invasive Species Links

Invasive aquatic plants in Florida's waterways, from top to bottom: hydrilla, water hyacinth, and water lettuce

What's New

Aquatic Plant Management

Economic Sectors at Risk from Invasive Aquatic Weeds for the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
in Osceola County, Florida, 2004-2005 [PDF 354 K]

Florida Hydrilla Management Summit - Facilitator's Summary Report [PDF 854 K]

Hydrilla Management in Florida: A Summary and Discussion of Issues Identified by Professionals with Future Management Recommendations [PDF 351 K]

Economic sectors at risk from invasive aquatic weeds at Lake Istokpoga, Florida [PDF 1.4 MB]

Prevent new aquatic invaders

Plants in Chapter 5B-57.007, FAC - Noxious Weed List [PDF 163 K]

How was Hydrilla Introduced into Florida? [PDF 171 K]

Water hyacinth Management - a Good Example of Maintenance Control in Florida [PDF 167 K]

Aquatic Plant Management Program Annual Reports:

• Aquatic Plant Management 06-07 [PDF 7.9 MB]
• Aquatic Plant Management 05-06 [PDF 3.9 MB]
• Aquatic Plant Management 04-05 [PDF 4.1 MB]
• Aquatic Plant Management 03-04 [PDF 5.9 MB]
• Aquatic Plant Management 02-03 [PDF 5.2 MB]