wcw 3-23 all pages

feature
Why Mangroves Matter
EcoWalks Guided Tours show the many ways
What I noticed
first was the contrast
from driving
on I-75 heading
south—what is referred
to as a “moving
parking lot”—to a gradual drop
off in congestion to a quieter and
less frenetic drive ending at peaceful
and tranquil Lemon Bay Park.
Approaching the park, which sits
astride Lemon Bay, is a step back in
time to the Florida of the ‘60s with
shell roads and small ranch houses.
Once inside the park, you’ll find
classrooms and an information center.
It’s here you’ll also meet your
guide for EcoWalks: Mangroves, a
two-hour walk that is mostly on the
water’s edge and surrounded by
mangroves. The tours are offered
by University of Florida/IFAS Extension
Sarasota County and Sarasota
County Parks, Recreation, and Natural
Resources.
“Mangroves are tropical plants that
are adapted to loose, wet soils, salt
water and being periodically submerged
by tides,” according to the
Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, which also describes
what we begin to see on our walk.
Mangroves exist around the world,
but there are three species that are
native to Florida: red mangrove (Rhizophora
mangle), black mangrove
(Avicennia germinans) and white
mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)
which our guide, Dr. Armando
Ubeda, a county extension agent,
showed us how to differentiate.
Along the way, he began to explain
how mangroves are a vital part of the
greater ecosystem in Florida.
Mangroves can be 60-80 feet tall
which is surprising since we don’t
see them that way. Why? Because
what we see are mangroves that are often
severely cut back. Regulations now
set specific limits for trimming or removal
of mangroves on private property
—for the most part. But if their full value
to the ecosystem were understood, they
would never be cut back. And that’s
what you’ll learn by taking this EcoWalk.
In fact, Dr. Ubeda explains they they’re
the best form of storm protection because
they absorb energy. During
storms and hurricanes they slow down
water, helping to hold on to soil while
lessening erosion. But there’s so much
more. They produce oxygen. Birds nest
and seek shelter in them. They capture
carbon dioxide. He also told us that 80
per cent of seafood comes from mangroves
having started as small fish.
Those fish grow and find safety among
mangroves until they are large enough
to move out into open water thus contributing
to keeping fish populations up.
On a bright and cool Saturday morning,
the EcoWalk begins.
A tunnel of mangroves
showing how tall they can grow.
You can actually walk through mangroves
like a forest which is what we did.
The red mangrove is easily identified by
its tangled, reddish roots called “proproots.”
These roots have earned mangroves
the title of “walking trees.” By the
end of the walk you’ll be able to differentiate
which type of mangrove you’re
seeing, and what makes it unique.
All kinds of animals have been spotted
in the park from gopher tortoises who
burrow in the sand to bats who reside
in their own bat house before heading
out at night. Bats love mosquitoes BTW.
You may also see iguanas but they’re
an invasive species. Also seen are raccoons,
coyotes, nonvenomous snakes
and crabs.
According to Dr. Katherine Clements,
Ecology and Natural Resources Educator,
who coordinates the EcoWalks,
“We offer these walks specifically on
unique and often environmentally sensitive
Sarasota County park and preserve
lands which have been in part purchased
Our guide for the walk is Dr. Armando Ubeda,
a county extension agent,
who explains the value of the mangroves.
A red mangrove,
identified by its tangled,
reddish roots called prop-roots.
through funding from Florida Communities
Trust grants. The FCT grants often
require an educational component, and
we work with County Park staff to determine
topics and sites with the most
need. We offer about 30 EcoWalks to the
public at various sites with a variety of
themes throughout the year.”
There’s also something to be said
about being with other people—and
not online. People were talking to each
other, sharing stories and asking where
you’re from.
EcoWalks fill up fast, so sign up right
away. Register for EcoWalks here:
www.eventbrite.com/cc/ecowalks.
STORY and IMAGES: Louise Bruderle
ABOUT LEMON BAY
Lemon Bay is a long, narrow and shallow
body of water covering 8,000 acres
in Charlotte County, and Sarasota County.
It is protected as the Lemon Bay
Aquatic Preserve, designated in 1986. It
is one of five Charlotte Harbor Aquatic
Preserves. The bay is fed by one Gulf
pass, Stump Pass, and seven tributaries
and includes areas of mangrove, marsh
grass, and seagrass. It provides habitat
for bird, invertebrate and fish species
and offers fishing, kayaking, birding,
wading and beachcombing.
ABOUT
LEMON BAY
PARK
The Lemon Bay
Park and Environmental
Center is
a 210-acre natural
county park
in Englewood. It
includes black
mangrove forest,
mangrove fringe
along the shoreline,
and pine and
scrubby flatwoods.
Educational classes,
guided nature
and bird walks are
offered at the site.
The park has 1.7
miles of shoreline on the Lemon Bay
Aquatic Preserve. The park includes a
butterfly garden, canoe/ kayak launch,
and interpretive nature trail. The park is
located at 570 Bay Park Boulevard.
Educational classes, guided nature
and bird walks and a variety of other
nature-based programs are offered
throughout the year.
Upcoming EcoWalks:
■ EcoWalk: Mangroves—March
28, 8:30-10:30 a.m. (this is the same
walk as described above)
Lemon Bay Park, 570 Bay Park Blvd.,
Englewood
■ EcoWalk: Family Sunset Adventures—March
31, 7-8:15 p.m.
Explore the mysteries of the setting
sun for an engaging family-friendly
moonlight walk.
Lemon Bay Park, 570 Bay Park Blvd.,
Englewood
■ EcoWalk: Meditation in the Parks -
Red Bug Slough—April 12, 9-10 a.m.
Also offered on May 22. 9-10 a.m.
This offers an exploration of finding
peace within nature along a mostly
silent walk.
Red Bug Slough Preserve,
5200 South Beneva Road, Sarasota
■ EcoWalk: Unique Preserves of
Sarasota County - Curry Creek East
—April 18, 9-11 a.m.
Learn more about unique Florida
ecosystems.
Curry Creek Preserve East,
1500 Pinebrook Road, Venice
■ EcoWalk: Unique Preserves of
Sarasota County - Sleeping Turtles
South—May 9, 9-11 a.m.
Learn more about unique Florida
ecosystems.
Sleeping Turtles Preserve South,
2800 N. River Road, Venice
University of Florida/IFAS
Extension Sarasota County
6700 Clark Road, Sarasota.
Information:
sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu and scgov.net
MARCH 2023 WEST COAST WOMAN 27