G R AY TO N B E AC H

S TAT E PA R K
M A N AG E M E N T P L A N
Presented by J.P. Thomasson
REFERENCES

• Murry, Sine. (2013). Grayton State Park Management Plan. 13 July 2013. Retrieved from
https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/06.14.2013%20Approved%20Plan.pdf
WHO?

• The Florida Department of

Environmental Protection with the
Division of Recreation and Parks
(DRP).

• Their goal is to preserve Florida's

diverse natural and cultural sites, along
with providing recreational and
educational opportunities.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

 WHAT?
NATURAL COMMUNITIES
MANAGEMENT

• Goal: Restore and maintain the

natural communities/habitats of
the park.

• 5 Objectives

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

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O B J E C T I V E : W I T H I N T E N Y E A R S , H AV E 8 4 4
AC R E S O F T H E PA R K M A I N TA I N E D W I T H I N
T H E O P T I M U M F I R E R E T U R N I N T E RVA L .
• Mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, basin
marsh, wet prairie, seepage slope,
depression marsh, dome, sandhill and
scrubby flatwoods

• Ornate chorus frog, pygmy

rattlesnake, and coachwhip

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

 OBJECTIVE: CONDUCT
HABITAT/NATURAL
COMMUNIT Y RESTORATION
ACTIVITIES ON UP TO 3.5
ACRES OF BEACH DUNE
NATURAL COMMUNIT Y AFTER
MAJOR IMPACT S FROM
TROPICAL STORMS AS
NEEDED.

• Assess, plan, and restore

beach dunes after tropical
storms

• Monitor the progress of dune

restoration by using photo
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
points.

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OBJECTIVE: CONDUCT HABITAT/NATURAL COMMUNIT Y
RESTORATION ACTIVITIES ON 10 ACRES OF SEEPAGE SLOPE AND
WET PRAIRIE, 350 ACRES OF SANDHILL AND SCRUBBY FLAT WOODS,
35 ACRES OF SCRUB, AND 1 ACRE OF BEACH DUNE AND SCRUB
ASSOCIATED WITH THE GRAY TON BEACH NATURE TRAIL

• Seepage slope and wet prairie: Low
impact biomass removal that
minimizes rutting on wetland soils
should be conducted, for example, by
using hand crews.
• Sandhill and scrubby flatwoods: The
invading sand pine should be logged
on 350 acres and groundcover
established, if needed
• Scrub: The remnant paved roads and
cul-de-sacs in certain areas should be
removed and restored to scrub
• Beach dune and scrub: Try to assess
the problematic areas on trails and
develop a plan for arresting the
erosion.
OBJECTIVE: CONDUCT HABITAT IMPROVEMENT
ACTIVITIES ON TEN ACRES OF BEACH DUNE AND
SC RUB C OMMUNI TI E S.

• Small-scale vegetative management

activities or minor habitat
manipulation.

• Collect for seeds and cuttings from

park plants to be grown and planted.

• Beach mice and Gopher tortoises

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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 OBJECTIVE: CONTROL
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS IN
SENSITIVE NATURAL
COMMUNITIES.

• Post and rope coupled with enforcement

• Interpretive signs placed near closed areas

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

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WHEN?

• All efforts are continuous, but

prescribed burn program burned
approximately 1,067 total acres, an
average of 118.5 acres per year they
should reach the 844 acre target
within the 10 year mark.

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 WHY?

• The preservation of this park’s natural and

cultural resources very important. The park
provides facilities that are accessible,
convenient and safe, to support public
recreational use while also preserving nature.

• It’s also my favorite beach to visit

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