News Release

For: Week of April 29, 2002

by:  Christina M. Verlinde

       Marine Extension Agent

       Santa Rosa County

 

 

         May is National Wetlands Month!

 

Wetlands are important habitats that offer food, shelter, spawning and nesting sites for many species of wildlife.  Wetland areas absorb excess water during flood events, provide resting and foraging areas for migrating birds, protect property and control erosion, filter pollutants from stormwater runoff, replenish groundwater, and provide recreational and educational opportunities.  In the past, the US has lost more than 40% of wetland habitat!

 

Various wetland habitats are found in Northwest Florida, including: fresh and saltwater marshes, cypress swamps, pitcher plant prairies and savannahs, bogs, hardwood swamps, and seepage slopes.  Distinctive trees and plants are found in these areas as well as many types of wildlife.  The elimination of wetland habitats may result in poor water quality, flood damage, declining populations of birds, fish, and other types of wildlife, and the loss of natural aesthetics.  To help protect wetland areas, learn more about the importance of wetlands and management techniques to protect these valuable areas.

 

What can you do to help protect wetland habitats?

 

•                     Check out a wetland area near your home, explore and learn more about the wildlife and plants that exist in this unique habitat, educate others about the functions of these habitats.

 

•                     If your shoreline is protected by a wetland area or there are wetlands on your property, preserve them as buffer zones and green spaces. You will enjoy the benefits of these unique wonders for years to come.

 

•                     Support wetlands and watershed protection initiatives by public agencies and private organizations.

 

•                     Get involved, encourage neighbors, developers, and state and local governments to protect the function and value of wetlands in your watershed.

 

•                     Create awareness about the importance of these natural areas, sponsor a photo/art/poetry contests focused on wetlands. Ask your Chamber of Commerce or local businesses to give prizes and display the entries. Throw a community picnic; complete with tours, storytelling and hands-on wetland activities.

 

•                     Organize a wetlands group: Bring together others in your community who are interested in conserving your local wetlands to strategize on building community awareness and connecting with appropriate government officials and programs.

 

•                     Plant native plants in a wetland- either as the first step in its restoration or as part of an overall plan.

 

Celebrate National Wetlands Month by educating others about the benefits and importance of wetland habitats.  Economically, wetlands are important to one of this area’s largest industries, tourism.  Without clean water, fisheries, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities we may not have the huge tourism dollars that are generated as a result of the natural functions of these natural areas.

 

Upcoming activities and events:

 

•                     Friday, May 10th is the Bay Area Resource Council’s annual water quality symposium, “Pensacola Bay Watershed:  Turning Point, Defining Moment, or Breaking Point.”  8:00 am-4:00 pm at Pensacola Junior College, Milton Campus Building 4200 (Student Center).

 

•                     June is Rivers Clean-up Month.  Join a group and clean up a portion of your favorite river or creek.

 

•                     June 1st is the start of Hurricane Season.  Start to prepare now!

 

•                     Ages 8-12, learn more about your watershed and wetland and marine habitats by attending the Aquatic Watershed Camp July 8-12 at Camp Timpoochee.  Plans are being made for this camp to be the most exciting ever!  Activities will include:  a trip to the Gulfarium, Big Kahunas, the beach, sailing, canoeing, snorkeling, swimming, watershed activities, water quality monitoring and sampling, traditional camp activities and more!

 

For information on these events and volunteer opportunities, contact Chris Verlinde, Santa Rosa County Marine Extension Agent, at 623-3868, (from the south end of the county 939-1259 ext. 1259), or email cmverlinde@mail.ifas.ufl.edu.

 

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.