ERS operates a seagrass
laboratory where local stocks of Ruppia maritima (widgeon grass) are propagated using a micro-culture technique
and reintroduced into the environment for restoration of local seagrass beds; planting
areas can be seen during low tide at Project GreenShores in Pensacola Bay. In
conjunction with the seagrass laboratory, ERS maintains a seagrass salvage
program whereby seagrass that will be impacted from marine construction projects
(e.g. docks, pilings, bridges, piers) is removed and transplanted into areas in
need of restoration. To date, the micro-propagation laboratory has produced and
planted 31,435 propagules of R. maritima
within the Pensacola Bay System. The salvage program has transplanted 911
seagrass plugs from 36 marine construction projects and has transplanted these
into 19 sites throughout the Florida panhandle.
The ERS Oyster
Restoration program (Offer Your Shell To Enhance Restoration; OYSTER), utilizes
recycled oyster shell, donated by partner restaurants/seafood suppliers, to restore/create
oyster reefs in the Pensacola Bay System. Recycling oyster shell reduces the
input of valuable shell into local landfills and utilizes the resource to
restore critical oyster habitat. To date the OYSTER program has recycled 173
tons/6,275 bushels from 28 partner restaurants which have built 11 reefs
throughout the Florida panhandle.
An essential component
to all ERS programs is the promotion of environmental stewardship through environmental
education and outreach. Involvement in local community events such as Bay Day, Earth
Day and Seagrass Awareness help us reach a diverse audience. We provide free educational
shoreline tours of the community-based habitat restoration/creation effort ‘Project
GreenShores’ in Pensacola Bay. We welcome volunteer participation in all of our
restoration activities. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more
about the Ecosystem Restoration Section please contact
Restore 5
to 6 acres of oyster reef habitat in the Pensacola and Perdido Bay systems
for essential fish habitat enhancementutilizing dried oyster shell
collected from the restaurant/seafood industry in Escambia County, Florida
Project GreenShores Site
2 – funded by numerous
grants and partnerships with various public and private organizations
Restoration/creation of estuarine habitats
Salt marsh
Oyster reefs
Seagrass beds
Coastal buffer zone
Provide environmental education to public
Monitoring of changes in environmental quality and habitat value at the
project site
Restore salt marsh/emergent plant, oyster reef and SAV habitats in the
Pensacola Bay System in accordance with the USFWS Living Shorelines
Initiative
Participation in, and support for, community environmental education and
Grasses in Classes program in the Florida panhandle
Seagrass and
Oyster Reef Restoration
– funded by the Florida Coastal Zone Program (NOAA) and the Garcon Point
Restoration Trust Fund
Salvage of
SAV from footprint of marine construction projects for use in restoration
of seagrass beds in the Pensacola Bay system, particularly Project
GreenShores
Creation/restoration of oyster reef habitats within estuary systems of
Northwest Florida