Goal 6: Ecosystem Health: Protect, Restore and Enhance Coastal Ecosystems

6.1 South Florida represents a critical region for education and outreach on natural systems, their connections and how they respond to human activities. This region contains several unique natural systems, including the Everglades, Florida Bay and the Florida Keys. This work will design and deliver a public education and outreach plan for the region. (Spranger : Fletcher : E/T-9)

6.2 Health-related management of recreational coastal sites is currently undertaken by monitoring fecal coliform and enterococci by membrane filtration. The problem with this standard indicator monitoring is that there is a lag of at least 24-48 hours between when the sample is collected and when the data become available. The goal of the research is to develop portable sensor technology for rapid, sensitive and specific detection and quantification of entercocci bacteria in coastal water, providing health officials and coastal managers with near real-time data for decision making. (2008) (Patterson /Paul /Fries /Farmer : R/C-E-52)

6.3 The worm Phragmatopoma lapidosa contributes to the construction of natural nearshore reefs that provide habitat for many marine species. These worms extract and glue sand together to make sand tubes, forming vast “worm reefs” in intertidal and shallow subtidal water from Cape Canaveral to Key Biscayne. Their formation is impacted by such things as sediment transported offshore from beaches naturally, and from beach restoration projects, and mitigation techniques have not been consistently successful. Researchers will test the applicability of a marine byproduct to aid in the recovery and recruitment of worms and reef formation. (2008) (McCarthy : R/C-E-53-PD)

6.4 Continue with US EPA-funded project to assess the economic implications of red tide events on the Gulf coast of Florida. Study will determine the economic effects of red tide events within a multi-county region and for a specific waterfront restaurant business in the Manatee County, Florida region ( Adams w/ Sherry Larkin and Bob Degner).

6.5 Give presentations on the effects of red tide events within the SW Florida region to various interested groups. ( Adams )

6.6 Present professional paper on education and outreach activities associated with harmful algal blooms at the American Fisheries Society annual meeting in Fall 2007. ( Adams, Stevely)

6.7 Develop educational programs that maintain and increase the quality of Florida’s estuaries and ecosystems through the North Florida NEMO ( Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) Program with regards to water quality and critical fish habitat. (Cameron )

6.8 Develop educational programs with other Sea Grant agents in the Panhandle for shoreline restoration where it is appropriate to substitute sea walls and rip rap. (Cameron )

6.9 In collaboration with St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Coordinator establish an oyster restoration program for the Indian River Lagoon; secure necessary permits for deploying spat collectors and oyster cultch; establish a youth education and volunteer program for distribution and monitoring of “artificial oyster reefs”. (Creswell )

6.10 Continue to promote utilization of monofilament recycling through newspaper articles and radio programming. (Creswell )

6.11 Partner with the Florida Yards and Neighborhood agent, natural resource agents, Florida Lakewatch, and other organizations to reduce stormwater runoff, provide watershed education, and develop water quality monitoring programs. (Diller )

6.12 Develop and assist with coastal restoration programs such as sea grass planting, dune restoration and beach renourishment that will improve coastal ecosystems as they recover from hurricanes. ( Diller )

6.13 Continue to work with the Project Greenshores team to develop site two of this coastal ecosystem restoration project in Pensacola Bay that includes oyster reefs, seagrass beds, and salt marsh habitats. Also form partnerships to develop other ecosystem restoration projects. (Diller)

6.14 Coordinate the Turtle Friendly Beach program for sea turtle awareness and protection. Conduct sea turtle lighting workshops and provide sand fencing information as beaches recover from hurricanes. Provide educational assistance and Sea Grant Extension representation to various sea turtle working groups. (Diller )

6.15 Continue support and development of educational programs for teachers, boaters and interested citizens on marine debris, coastal clean-ups, and monofilament line recycling. (Diller)

6.16 Coordinate a “Human Dimensions Science in the Everglades” workshop for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration researchers and managers. (Fletcher)

6.17 Work with University of Florida scientists at the South Florida Tropical Research and Education Center and managers with Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop a water quality training program in May 2007 for researchers, managers and educators. (Fletcher)

6.18 Coordinate meetings to bring together individuals from various local, state, and federal agencies involved in South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Outreach to better facilitate information sharing. (Fletcher)

6.19 Explore opportunities to incorporate Everglades-related restoration information into coral reef teacher training workshops that have been scheduled for the fall of 2007. (Fletcher).

6.20 Continue to work with state and local agencies to develop a “Water Academy/South Florida Issues” Class. (Fletcher)

6.21 Develop a South Florida and Everglades Ecosystem Restoration “education tool kit” that can be utilized by individuals who are presenting information on this complex topic. (Fletcher)

6.22 Explore opportunities for international collaboration and sharing of experiences and expertise in ecosystem restoration efforts through contacts within NOAA’s Office of International Programs, Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, and personal contacts in Latin America. (Fletcher).

6.23 Coordinate design and development of a “synthesis book” of Florida Bay research. This will include identifying authors, developing tracking sheets for authors and databases for documents that will be included in the book, and conducting design/production meetings. (Fletcher)

6.24 Assist Pamela Fletcher with the implementation of the S. Florida Marine Ecosystems Project; help expand efforts to the west coast of Florida. (Fluech )

6.25 Coordinate with local agencies and the Ocean Conservancy, and recruit volunteers for Bay Daze, the International Coastal Clean Up, derelict trap removal programs, and other marine debris removal events. (Fluech )

6.26 Continue to serve as project manager for the Marine Resource Conservation Partnership of Collier County: (Fluech )

6.26.1 Serve as a liaison between FWC/DEP and local agencies participating in the pilot boater stewardship program

6.26.2 Work with partners to develop training curriculum/ materials for a boating stewardship volunteer training program.

6.26.3 Develop a portable education exhibit on sustainable boating/angling practices

6.26.4 Coordinate with participating agencies in the development of a social marketing program aimed at promoting boating stewardship.

6.27 Conduct at least 2 workshops for K-12 teachers and informal educators on marine invasive species. (Fluech )

6.28 Assist with the coordination of education seminars relating to boating/ environmental issues at the Naples Boat Show; deliver a presentation about boating impacts on seagrasses. (Fluech )

6.29 Present professional paper on education and outreach activities associated with coastal restoration efforts related to the 2004-2005 hurricanes at the American Fisheries Society annual meeting in Fall 2007. ( Jackson)

6.30 Work with agents in the Panhandle to adjust and implement projects related to stormwater using the materials from the national program, Non-point education for municipal officials (NEMO), as a base. (Jacoby )

6.31 Work with partners throughout Florida and beyond to develop and improve volunteer water quality monitoring programs. (Jacoby )

6.32 Work with partners to develop and implement training and curricula dealing with a watershed approach to water quality through planned extension in-service training programs (Jacoby )

6.33 Work with FL Sea Grant Agent Brian Cameron ( Bay County) and Chuck Jacoby (FSG Estuary Specialist) to coordinate the Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) program in Franklin County. (Mahan )

6.34 Provide one-on-one consultations to homeowners on actions they can take to reduce/eliminate environmental impacts by selecting the proper pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizers for their lawns and gardens. (Mahan )

6.35 Research and write at least two newspaper columns for the Apalachicola & Carrabelle Times newspapers to educate residents about what they can do to minimize their impact on the local environment/ecosystem. (Mahan )

6.36 Work with City of Carrabelle officials in implementing the FL Department of Environmental Protection’s “Clean Marina Program” at the city’s new marina. (Mahan )

6.37 Work with FL Sea Grant Agents – Andrew Diller, Chris Verlinde, Scott Jackson, and Brain Cameron on devolving and coordinating a “Living Shorelines” program to educate adults and youth about the importance of ‘protecting” the coastline. (Mahan )

6.38 Work with GA Marine Extension faculty to develop outreach materials on marine invasives for use in both states. (McGuire )

6.39 Develop Florida Master Naturalist Program for Charlotte County. (Staugler )

6.40 Provide general educational training and assistance to improve coastal ecosystem health. (Staugler )

6.40.1 Continue to chair the Charlotte Harbor NEP Hydrologic Alterations Subcommittee. Participate as a member of the Water Quality Quantifiable Objectives Sub-committee, and Habitat Conservation Sub-committee of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program.

6.40.2 Work with boating user groups, master gardeners and civic groups to promote BMPs for improved coastal water quality.

6.40.3 Provide educational program to boating and fishing groups, master gardeners, civic groups and citizens on coastal habitats and invasive species.

6.40.4 Develop an Estuary/Marine needs assessment for the waters of Charlotte County – a database/GIS project to identify research, monitoring & educational efforts.

6.40.5 Assist with local mangrove transect monitoring effort to document recovery of mangroves post hurricane Charley and changes to shoreline.

6.40.6 Develop a community based restoration program for Charlotte Harbor mangroves severely impacted by hurricane Charley.

6.41 Work with the Charlotte Harbor NEP to produce a seagrass video/DVD that will be used to educate SW Florida boaters through public broadcast and government television, educational programs and events. Both a pone two-minute video on “Sea Grasses: Good Boater Practices” and a seven minute video on “Sea Grass & Boaters” will be developed and will be shown at all US Power Squadron and US Coast Guard Auxiliary Safe boaters classes in Charlotte County. (Staugler )

6.42 Train 40 Extension Master Gardeners in Manatee and Sarasota County in coastal plan ecology and identification. (Stevely )

6.43 Conduct two mangrove management programs for property managers and landscape maintenance professionals in Manatee and Sarasota County. (Stevely )

6.44 Present information on relationships between Red Tides and nutrients at Extension Summit. (Stevely )

6.45 Prepare peer reviewed article on public perceptions of Red Tide biology and impacts. Present paper at American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. (Stevely )

6.46 Maintain functional Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Technical Advisory Committee. (Stevely )

6.47 Enhance the sustainability of the commercial fishing heritage of Cortez. (Stevely )

6.47.1 Organize 26 th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. This festival reaches 15,000 citizens with information on environmental issues. The festival generates the revenue (approximately $60,000/year) to purchase 95 acres of environmentally sensitive land.

6.47.2 Assist the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) in conducting educational programming to support acquisition and management of the FISH Preserve, development of the Florida West Coast Maritime Museum at Cortez, and restoration of the 1912 Cortez School House.

6.48 Work to enhance water quality around Pensacola Bay. (Verlinde )

6.49 Coordinate materials, equipment and sample drop-offs for the Lakewatch program in Santa Rosa County. (Verlinde )

6.50 Coordinate and lead the 3 rd Pensacola Watershed Tour. This will be a tour of the watershed of the Pensacola Bay System. The goal is to educate participants on watershed impacts and successes involving water quality issues and continue collaborative efforts of watershed management for officials in Florida and Alabama. (Verlinde )

6.51 Provide aquatic nuisance species information to 4-H leaders, teachers, and the public at various talks and programs. (Verlinde )

6.52 Coordinate the oyster reef restoration project in East Bay. Use oyster reef importance and ecology curriculum developed in support of this project. Provide updates on restoration and field activities at restoration sites for community leaders and students. (Verlinde)

6.53 Work with UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center researchers on dune restoration research projects. Coordinate volunteers for planting. Provide educational materials at restoration sites and to various organizations. (Verlinde )

.54 Continue to support Project Greenshores, a FDEP habitat restoration initiative. (Verlinde )