Ozona Management Area

Background

The Ozona Management Area is in the Ozona area of unincorporated Pinellas County. Years of urbanization have dramatically altered this part of the county. Aerial photographs from the 1920s suggest the management area once supported a freshwater marsh wetland and was surrounded by flatwoods and sandhill communities. Flatwoods, one of Florida’s most recognizable types of natural terrain, are flat expanses of land with grasses, shrubs, and scattered pine trees.

Prior to 1942, a ditch was dredged to connect this area to the Gulf of Mexico. This provided a conduit for saltwater to enter the formerly freshwater system. Later, roads were improved, the natural coastline was altered and mangrove-dominated swamps were filled. The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners acquired the parcels that comprise this property between 1989 and 2001. This area, which is closed to the public, is managed by Parks & Conservation Resources.

Characteristics

Located within the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin, this management area is dominated hydrologically by a ditch that flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Tides play a minimal role in the water flow, which is regulated mainly by elevation changes in stormwater control structures. Low-lying areas within the region flood frequently. Elevation ranges up to 10 feet above sea level, though higher elevations are attributed to fill material associated with residential development.

The soils are mainly classified as mucks and frequently-flooded fine sands. The area supports flatwoods dominated by oaks and pines and brackish estuarine swamps dominated by mangroves. The natural communities consist of a diverse array of native plants, including bays, cedars, hollies, ferns and rushes. Disturbances such as mowing, dumping of trash, ditching and filling have caused weedy and scrubby plant areas.

These disturbances have encouraged the extensive spread of invasive exotic species including Brazilian pepper, punk tree, guinea grass and air potato. The spread of other exotics, such as carrotwood and camphor tree, has been promoted by surrounding landscaping of nearby residences. A small picnic area for public use is located on North Street. A county-maintained house is located on Orange Street, and the resident supports local management activities.

Management

Since assuming management of this area, the County has focused its efforts primarily on controlling exotic species through the use of chemical treatment and mechanical clearing. Volunteers have devoted many hours to removing exotics by hand. As with all small, natural areas surrounded by development, exotics will be an ongoing challenge.

The boundary of the Ozona Management Area has been secured with fences and signs have been posted. A small bridge was installed over the ditch to provide improved access for management activities. The picnic area on North Street and other areas along the fence line are periodically mowed.

Though natural communities of this region would have burned historically, reintroduction of fire is not currently a possible at the Ozona Management Area due to its small size and proximity to residential areas. Additional efforts at this management area may include improving the hydrology and planting native vegetation.

Value

While The Ozona Management Area has special cultural significance to local residents and provides economic and environmental benefits to its neighbors, this natural space provides valuable services to all residents and visitors to the region.

By enhancing native biodiversity, it supports countless organisms ranging from microbes to mammals. For example, a variety of wading birds utilize the estuaries. This management area also makes important contributions to the region’s hydrology by improving the quality of surface water before it enters the Gulf of Mexico and by promoting the recharge of groundwater.

For additional information:

Parks & Conservation Resources
12520 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33774
Phone: (727) 582-2100
Fax: (727) 582-2550