Page 15 - Abacoa Community News - January '24

Abacoa, Page 15
Government

Commissioner’s Update

Mangrove Islands Provide chain resources, and provide
habitat for many wildlife species.
Essential Habitat Additionally, they serve as storm
buffers, stabilizing shorelines
By Commissioner with their roots from wind, waves
Maria Marino and erosion, and enhancing water
From the southern end clarity.
of Palm Beach County in This type of ecosystem occurs
the Intracoastal Waterway in areas of these waters where
(ICW), up through the Lake strong ocean wave action is
Worth Lagoon, continuing absent and where salt and fresh
north to the Loxahatchee water mix. Soils are sandy,
River, mangrove islands nutrient rich, and usually oxygen
serve a valuable function. deficient, and make up one of the
They recycle nutrients, most productive nursery habitats
provide essential food for fish, shellfish, birds, and other
estuarine wildlife. Of
the three species of
mangroves found in
Florida, red mangroves
grow along the water’s
edge, black mangroves
grow on slightly
higher elevations, and
white mangroves grow
further upland.
Recently, I had
the pleasure of
participating in the
opening of Sawfish
Island, a restoration
project completed
by Pa l m Be a c h
County’s Department
of Environmental
Resources Management in partnership with the Florida
Inland Navigation District, and the Loxahatchee River
Preservation Initiative through the Florida Department
of Environmental Protection, agencies that provided
essential funding for the work.
Sawfish Island is located in the ICW, just offshore
from the Town of Jupiter’s Sawfish Bay Park. The island
served for stockpiling dredge material, also known as
spoil. The removal of invasive trees and plants was
required to restore the island to a more native ecosystem.
Fill material was excavated and repurposed to create
additional tidal habitat at the Tarpon Cove Restoration
Project in the Lake Worth Lagoon.
In all, the restoration project added six acres of
mangroves, over one-half acre of tropical hardwood
hammock, and one-third acre of wetland habitat.
Additionally, they created two connected coves to
encourage tidal flushing and water flow throughout
Sawfish Island. This provides a refuge for fish, birds, and
other species, and enhances recreational opportunities for
paddlers. By the way, if you enjoy canoeing, kayaking or
paddleboarding, you can find information on all county
launching facilities at Parks and Recreation – Boating
(pbc.gov).
The county’s environmental programs include
volunteer recruitment to plant mangroves, remove
exotic plants, and clean up trash, allowing residents to
help create a legacy of conservation. If you would like
to become involved in our stewardship programs, click
on Environmental Resources Management Get Involved
(pbcgov.org) or call (561) 233-2400.
As always, if I can be of assistance to you, please
contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@
pbcgov.org.

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