The Post Volume 9, Issue 48

State’s Spoil Island Gets Many Helping Hands

Coming on the heels of a complaint from a concerned citizen, a unified effort was made this past October to restore one of Brevard County’s spoil islands located on the Banana River. The effort generated a successful outcome when employees from several agencies and volunteer organizations, including FDEP, Keep Brevard Beautiful, Brevard County Parks and Recreation, and Waste Management, Inc., along with citizen volunteers joined together to restore the once pristine state-owned island. This particular island supports a valuable mangrove ecosystem, but recent vandalization was degrading the island with numerous plastic and glass bottles and other larger trash items.

On an early Saturday morning, the diverse group of volunteers journeyed by boat to the island to begin restoring it to its previous beauty. All of the debris was removed from the island, including more than 60 wooden pallets, planks and several bags of garbage. All three of the mangrove species located on the island had also sustained damage, but DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) employees were confident that both the black and white species of mangrove would rebound despite the impairment.

Spoil islands are an extremely important aspect of Florida’s ecosystem, notably the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding areas. And although many spoil islands are not suitable for recreational activities, they are critical to the survival of many threatened and endangered plant and animal species as well as serving as valuable rookeries for nesting birds.

Created in the 1950s, spoil islands resulted from channel dredging in the Indian River Lagoon when the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway was constructed. The ’spoil’ from the dredging created 137 islands throughout the 156 miles and four counties of the Indian River Lagoon.

The state of Florida owns 124 of the 137 islands and management of the islands is conducted by DEP’s CAMA with oversight from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). To learn more about these valuable mini islands or for volunteer information, visit http://www.spoilislandproject.org/ or http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/
sites/mosquito/volunteer.htm.

Spoil islands volunteers

Governor, Cabinet Recognize Florida State Parks’ 75th Anniversary

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet signed a resolution Tuesday, sponsored by Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, recognizing 2010 as the Year of Florida State Parks in celebration of its 75th Anniversary. Created in 1935 by the Florida Legislature, Florida State Parks has grown from eight to 160 parks over the last 75 years, and are overseen by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service.

“Florida State Parks not only preserve our state’s beautiful natural environment, but also contribute billions of dollars to state and local economies, and promote tourism to our great state,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “During the last fiscal year, Florida State Parks had an economic impact of nearly $1 billion and served more than 21.4 million visitors, illustrating the importance of these natural treasures to Florida’s residents, visitors and wildlife, as well as the beaches, waterways and forests that Florida State Parks protect.”

“By acquiring and preserving portions of Florida’s natural lands over the last 75 years, Florida State Parks have added an invaluable element of beauty to our state and an abundance of recreational opportunities that those of us who enjoy the outdoors can appreciate,” added Commissioner Bronson.

Today, the Florida Park Service manages more than 700,000 acres of Florida’s natural environment, including 100 miles of beaches, eight National Historic Landmarks and 39 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Florida State Parks has been recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as the nation’s first and only two-time Gold Medal winner for the nation’s best park service.

“Florida’s state parks are valuable gems that preserve Florida’s past while allowing guests to experience …the Real Florida^SM,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “We are extremely proud of this significant milestone and encourage Floridians and visitors alike to join us in celebrating 75 years of recreation and preservation throughout 2010.” ...more