DEP encourages Floridians to get involved in National Estuaries Day
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Floridians to celebrate National Estuaries Day on September 26, by learning more about estuary habitats and wildlife at events taking place at Florida’s three National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR).
“National Estuaries Day is a wonderful opportunity for Floridians to celebrate and learn more about these important ecosystems,” said Lee Edmiston, Director of DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA). “I encourage Floridians to participate by helping protect our estuaries, or learning more about the crucial role they play in Florida’s future and the health of our oceans.”
According to the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council, Florida’s coastal economy contributed more than $562 billion in revenue to the state in 2006 and Florida’s ocean economy contributed $25 billion in revenue that same year. Out of Florida’s 20 major population centers, 15 are located in coastal counties around a bay, estuary or at the mouth of a river that flows into the ocean.
A partnership between the states and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the NERR system was established by the Coastal Zone Management Act to help protect the nation’s coastal resources. Through integrated research and education, the NERRs help communities develop strategies to deal successfully with coastal resource issues. NERRs provide adult audiences with training on estuarine issues of concern in their local communities, offer field classes for K-12 students and support teachers through professional development programs in marine education. NERRs also provide long-term water quality monitoring.
National Estuaries Day began in 1988 as part of Coast Week to educate the public on the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them. The annual event has matured into a national campaign with festivities across the country. National Estuaries Day is a nationwide event encouraging the protection and preservation of aquatic environments where freshwater bodies meet marine waterways.
The following events will take place in Florida:
– Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
Friday, September 25, 2009
2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
261 Dr. Fredrick Humphries (7th) Street
Apalachicola, Florida
(850) 653-8063
The Apalachicola NERR will host free educational activities including a cast net game, touch tanks, animal track scavenger hunt, boat tours, beekeeping demonstrations and much more. Free Estuaries Day t-shirts will be given out to the first 500 guests. Adults can also register to win one of the many free door prizes. Please call the number above for more information.
– Guana Tolomato – Matanzas (GTM) National Estuarine Research Reserve
Saturday, September 26, 2009
8 a.m.-11 a.m.
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
(904) 823-4500
Activities are planned for the entire family to enjoy, including a guided bird walk, and a kayak tour, which costs $50 for adults and $35 for children ages 6-15. The guided bird walk departs at 8:00 a.m. from the Guana River Dam trailhead parking lot and parking in the lot is $3 per vehicle. The guided kayak tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and the fee includes photographs from the tour. The tour guide will take photos of participants and wildlife during the tour and send the pictures to participants electronically after the tour. For more information and to reserve your spot on each of the events please call the number listed above.
– Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Environmental Learning Center
Saturday, September 26, 2009
10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
300 Tower Road
Naples, Florida
(239) 417-6310 ext. 413
Rookery Bay NERR will host activities for the entire family to enjoy, including guided walks, boat tours, kayaking, kids crafts, touch tank presentations and more. Event attendees will also be able to explore a new vessel exhibit and a new Web exhibit that features live displays of local plant-like organisms and filter feeders that are the principle food sources for many aquatic creatures. Admission to the event is free. For more information please call the number listed above.
In addition to the NERR activities, several of the Southeast Florida Aquatic Preserves are asking for volunteers to help collect red mangrove seedlings for planting at a later date. Red mangrove trees are important to estuary health because they prevent erosion and provide habitat for many species. For more information on the following collections, call (321) 953-5008.
Volunteers are asked to meet at one of these locations on Saturday, September 26, 2009:
– Fisherman’s Landing Grant
8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m.
Please meet at the south parking lot.
– Melbourne Beach Pier
11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Please meet at Riverside Drive and Ocean Avenue.
– Maritime Hammock Sanctuary
2:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.
Please meet at the northern trail entrance on A1A.
For more information on Florida’s National Estuarine Research Reserves, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/programs/nerrs.htm. For more information on National Estuaries Day, visit www.estuaries.gov/estuaries101/GetInvolved/Default.aspx?ID=153.
CAMA manages three National Estuarine Research Reserves in the state, 41 aquatic preserves, the Coral Reef Conservation Program and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. CAMA’s programs and activities are designed to help Floridians better understand and conserve the state’s resources through research, education and preservation. For more information on DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal.