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Sarasota’s bird habitats are in
peril.
Storms and human recreational
activity are slowly eroding the mangrove islands within our bays
and inlets that are their homes.
The first phase of the Sarasota
Bay Spoil Island Restoration is the Bird Colony Islands
Shoreline Protection Project.
- The Bird Colony Islands
provide a nearly predator-free nesting or resting
environment for nine species of birds.
- It is the most important
coastal rookery in Sarasota Bay, but it is currently being
eroded by boat wakes and in danger of permanent destruction.
- The goal of the project is
to reduce the ongoing erosion of the islands, and restore
some of the habitat that has been lost.
Project
Description
- The project includes the
construction of a 1300-foot barrier, or breakwater, designed
to absorb wave energy before it reaches the islands’ sandy
shores.
- The breakwater, constructed
of boulders, will not affect the visual buffer for
residents, because the top of the structure will be only
about one foot above mean high water. It will be about
five-feet wide on top.
- Seagrass will be
transplanted from the breakwater structure location to a
protected area.
- A small amount of sand will
be used as fill behind the breakwater.
- Mangroves and marsh grass
will be planted in the new sand to create additional
mangrove and salt marsh tidal habitat.
- In time, the new plants will
grow to create an enclosed nesting area for birds.
Shellfish, crabs and fish will also be attracted to the new
habitat.
- Aug. through Dec. is the
best time of year to do the project because the fewest
number of birds are nesting.
- A special monitor has been
hired to ensure birds are not excessively disturbed during
construction.
Partners
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