DEP’s Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Hosts Shoreline Restoration
~Hands-on event enhances spoil island with fish-friendly native plantings~
BREVARD COUNTY – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves (IRLAP) will host a planting event to celebrate National Estuaries Day on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The planting event, held in conjunction with National Estuaries Day 2011, will be coordinated by the Shoreline Restoration Project, a grant-funded project administered by the IRLAP office. Volunteers and staff of IRLAP and the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program will plant salt marsh grasses and red mangroves along the shoreline of a critically eroding island. The group will plant 50 red mangroves, 171 salt marsh grasses, 25 sea-oxeye daisy, 15 sea purslane and 85 glasswort.
Brevard County Spoil Island BC47, located in Grant, has been selected for this planting event. BC47 is an active recreation island which receives constant visitors. Picnicking, hiking and overnight camping are allowed on the island that is popular with visitors. Although man-made, spoil islands play a very vital role in the lagoon’s system. They act as nesting grounds for endangered bird species. The sea grass beds and mangrove fringe act as nursery grounds for a variety of fish species and provide recreation opportunities for the public.
To attend or to find out further information, please contact Jacqueline Owen at 321.953.5008 or email Jacqueline.Owen@dep.state.fl.us. Please wear clothes you do not mind getting wet and dirty.
The Event will take place:
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Brevard County Spoil Island BC47
Grant-Valkaria, FL 32949
The group will launch from Christenson’s Landing Boat Ramp in Grant at 10 a.m.
Map of Boat Ramp and BC47
Contact: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us
