FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 19, 2014
TOMOKA MARSH AQUATIC PRESERVE INVITES
PUBLIC TO ADOPT AN ISLAND
~River enthusiasts are invited to the Halifax River for an island experience~
Volunteers can choose the island they want to help protect and preserve.
ORMOND – The Tomoka Marsh Aquatic
Preserve launches its Adopt-an-Island program by inviting river enthusiasts to choose
an island and assist with clean-ups, research studies and other projects that
focus on protecting and preserving the natural beauty of that island.
Twelve islands, comprising 76 acres on the west side of the Halifax
River along the Intracoastal Waterway in Ormond-by-the-Sea, are included in
the preserve's Adopt-an-Island program. Seven islands are currently adopted and
five are still available for adoption. The islands are accessible only by
water.
"Participants have the opportunity to assist with a variety of activities
such as debris cleanup, removal of exotic vegetation and
conducting diamondback terrapin surveys," said Deborah Shelley, manager of
the Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve.
Of the 76 acres, 14 acres of exotics have been documented, primarily Australian
pine and Brazilian pepper. After training on appropriate removal methods,
volunteers can assist with the eradication of these exotic species.
The islands contain typical salt marsh habitat plants such as smooth cord
grass, black needle rush and black mangrove. Upland trees and shrubs include
cabbage palm, saw palmetto, holly and cedar. Diamondback terrapins and gopher
tortoises also call the islands home. Wading birds and shorebirds are frequent
visitors and aquatic inhabitants include several species of drum, spot,
flounder, red fish, sheepshead, blue crab and shrimp.
Portions of the islands may be natural, while others were formed over 100 years
ago when the Intracoastal Waterway was dredged for navigation. Some people
refer to the islands as "spoil," which is a term derived from an
engineering perspective, when in fact, the upper layers of the dredged material
is former submerged habitat.
Nearby Tomoka River and tributaries Strickland and Dodson creeks create a
designated manatee sanctuary. Endangered West Indian manatees travel past the
islands, up and down the Intracoastal Waterway, to access the manatee protection
zone. Unlike springs that provide a warm water refuge during winter months, the
Tomoka River is considered a summer refuge where manatees are known to give
birth, especially in the quiet backwaters of the sanctuary.
For more information, please call the Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve at
407-330-6727.
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