These sites will continue to be managed by Gulfstream until each property is transferred to a public or private conservation entity for perpetual protection and management. Gulfstream’s Manatee and Lake Wales Forest sites demonstrate the value of privately funded restoration for the public benefit.

One gallon container grown mangroves were hand planted during a low tide in July 2008. Red mangroves (Rhizophora  mangle) were planted on the water ward edge and white mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa) were planted on the land ward edge of the restoration area. Then black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) were intermixed at the interface between the red and white mangroves. A ten foot wide area bisecting the restoration area was left unplanted to allow for a footpath for the EBTC residents to be able to walk through to reach the beach on the other side of the lagoon.

It wasn’t long after the planting was completed that the condominium manager notified KECE that there were a lot of wading birds frequenting the restoration area. White ibis, snowy egrets, spoonbill roseates, great egrets, little blue herons, and reddis egrets have been seen regularly. The birds attracted the photographers who inadvertently created a new path in the restoration area not realizing the sensitivity of coastal plants, especially the ground cover. The condominium manager spoke with photographers to ask them to enjoy the birds and mangroves without entering the restoration area and showed them the signs that mark the edge of the “No Mowing or Trimming” restoration area.

The annual monitoring conducted by KECE in May 2011, confirmed that the mangrove restoration is well on the way to success. All of the planted white mangroves have survived with many in bloom this year, and only a few of the red and black died. There were numerous naturally recruited seedlings of all three types of mangroves and buttonwood. Other native plants have grown in forming a carpet of salt grass (Distichlis spicata) and glasswort (Salicornia sp.) with an edge of sea oxeye daisies (Borichia sp.), native rushes (Fimbristylis sp.), and railroad vine (Ipomoea pescoprae).

Photo Gallery

Prairie Pines Preserve includes the conservation of over 2,700 acres of hydric and mesic pine flatwoods interspersed with depressional marshes that provide valuable habitat and food for a wide variety of fish and wildlife species. According to the park’s Vision Statement, “The preserve will provide an exceptional resource-based experience for visitors through opportunities such as horseback riding, hiking, birdwatching from the observation blinds, guided nature walks and convenient access and parking off US 41.”

Articles on Prairie Pines Preserve:

Prairie Pines Preserve to permit horses, llamas

Prairie Pines opens to the public (photo gallery)

Click here to learn more about Lee County’s Conservation 20/20 program.

Over 400 acres of the preserved native lands were set aside and are being managed for the benefit of the Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises. Florida scrub jays are listed as threatened by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The gopher tortoise is listed as a threatened species by the State of Florida.

KECE, in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Brevard County, developed the Viera East Scrub Jay Management Plan and has been working with the Viera East Community Development District on adaptive management of this preserve. Management activities within the preserves include, but are not limited to, prescribed fire rotations, roller chopping, hand clearing trees, and exotic vegetation management.

Since initiation of management within the Viera East scrub, there has been an increase of utilization from three scrub jay families in the early 1990’s to more than 20 confirmed scrub jay families utilizing the site today (2009).

Additionally, the residential development was integrated with wetland preserves, created lakes, and a created flow-way. These areas provide pleasant views for the residents while enhancing privacy and wildlife habitat. Integrating nature with the residential development at Viera East Community was achieved years before the current emphasis on the use of low impact design, utilizing many features that are now part of low impact design methods.

The Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club is located on a 175-acre property, of which 120 acres is permanently preserved conservation area, in Collier County, southwest Florida. KECE was instrumental to the permitting process for this development, and developed all the mitigation plans for the preserve areas. Included among the preserves is a four-acre gopher tortoise preserve. Gopher tortoises that were living in the impact area were carefully relocated to the preserve by KECE ecologists prior to development. Prescribed burns of this area are conducted regularly to maintain optimal gopher tortoise habitat. The remaining preserve areas are a mixture of mangrove swamp, transitional wetlands, and upland habitats, including spoil islands located in Naples Bay, continuing Barron Gift Collier’s tradition of responsible land stewardship in southwest Florida.

Development of this project was completed in early 2008. KECE remains involved in the project by overseeing prescribed burns, planting native species as needed in preserve areas, and bi-annual monitoring of all preserve areas.