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PENSACOLA ? This weekend, Project GreenShores, the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection?s (DEP) $3.5 million public-private partnership to
restore marine habitat in Pensacola Bay, will be the focal point of
international attention. Visitors from Israel, Iceland, Kenya, Nepal, and
Zimbabwe will get a tour of the site on Saturday, October 24, 2009 and
participate in planting emergent marsh vegetation. The group is part of the
International Visitor Leadership Program which is sponsored by the United Sates
Department of State and coordinated locally by the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy
Council.
?The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council appreciates the assistance that the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection is giving with this U.S.
Department of State delegation,? stated Jena Melancon Executive Director for
Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council. ?The group's environmental volunteer
activity at Project GreenShores is key to a well-rounded national program and I
thank the DEP for arranging it.?
The group?s primary focus is on park facilities, biodiversity and ecotourism.
The visit to Project GreenShores will allow for the group to participate in an
environmental outreach activity while gaining an understanding of how the
project has contributed to the restoration of the natural habitat in the area.
?It?s a great honor to host such a distinguished group of environmental
professionals from around the world,? said Northwest District Director Dick
Fancher. ?Project GreenShores will provide a great first-hand demonstration of
the importance of shoreline restoration as well an opportunity for our guests to
contribute to one of the area?s most productive habitat restoration projects.?
Project GreenShores was originally launched in 2001 to restore 30-acres of
estuarine habitat along the shoreline Pensacola. More than 45,000 tons of
recycled concrete, limestone rock, and fossilized oyster shell form a man-made
reef, safeguarding planted salt marsh from wave damage and providing a
foundation for seven acres of oyster habitat. The reef also provides a rest stop
for migratory and local birds and shelters a diversity of marine life.
Project GreenShores is managed by DEP and supported by more than 60 local and
national entities, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, NOAA, the City of Pensacola
and Escambia County. Volunteers have played an important role with more than 500
volunteers contributing more than 2,000 hours of work to the restoration.
For more information, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northwest/Ecosys/section/greenshores.htm.
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2012 State of Florida