'Invasion' by
an ugly bush
offers clear hope to help battle climate change
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by DIANNE BATTLE, Florida Master Naturalist
Climate change is spurring the northward migration of mangroves in Florida’s estuaries. You may have noticed them: shaggy bushes popping up above the marsh cord grass. Twenty years ago, only a few mangroves existed north of Flagler County—back then, most couldn’t survive the northeast Florida winter. Now freezing temperatures occur only sporadically, enabling mangroves to overtake the traditional marsh vegetation.
Mangroves have an appearance only a mother could love, but they more than make up for that deficit with the ecosystem services they provide. They can mitigate storm surge, flood, sea level rise, and wind destruction almost 25% better than manmade structures or marsh grasses. They are also the ocean’s nursery, invaluable to our fisheries.
The phenomenon of climate-driven mangrove migration, along with their promise of shoreline protection has spurred a research effort, the WetFeet Project, a multi-year collaboration between the Guana Reserve and several partner universities. The project simulates rising temperatures and sea levels in order to determine how our estuaries will fare as a result of mangroves replacing marsh grass. (PBS Newshour recently featured a good overview of the mangrove migration up Florida’s east coast.)
While it’s tempting to refer to mangrove movement as an “invasion,” these plants are Florida natives merely taking advantage of changing climate conditions. They’ve long been valued for storm protection and as food source providers. But they are threatened by large-scale removal for developments and shrimp farming. That’s one more reason not to support the shrimp farming industry and a good reason to ensure mangroves are protected from construction near our estuaries.
Florida’s three native mangrove species are the black, red, and white. Blacks are the pioneers and the most numerous, established as far north as the Georgia border. Reds and a few whites can be found in St. Johns County. More will be coming.
Mangrove numbers are rising, and as they establish themselves and grow taller, you can expect to lose those tranquil marsh views. But your opinion of mangroves should rise when you remember how they can make a major difference in protecting the environment you love.
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The view towards Metropolitan Park. Vacant city-owned land with unlimited park potential. (Photo by Barbara Gubbin) |
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Walk an area with unlimited potential |
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by BARBARA GUBBIN
Our club is helping to organize river walks that showcase the rich potential of downtown park land along the St. Johns River if the land is made into a chain of parks. The first walk in March was wet and chilly but clearly emphasized the urgency of the task.
Done in conjunction with Riverfront Parks Now, the walk went from Metropolitan Park to the former site of the Landing. Nearly half of the land is owned by the city, but much of it is in the contaminated Shipyards area and would need an expensive clean-up to be used either as a park or for commercial development.
While Metropolitan Park's status is protected by the National Park Service, the image as we walked here was the proposal from Shad Khan, owner of the Jaguars football team, and his partner Iguana Investments, to build a Four Seasons hotel, a 70,000 square-foot orthopedic clinic, and two garages to service them adjacent to Metropolitan Park.
This first walk, which was led by Northeast Florida Sierra Chair Logan Cross, was a success in terms of understanding what park land is available, how it is currently being used, or not, and what might be planned.
I was surprised at exactly how much open land is in fact here. It reinforced for me how careful we need to be in terms of allowing any development on the riverfront as we face sea level/river level rise and increased flooding, which green space can be designed to absorb but concrete much less so, as the recent City Council Resiliency Committee Report makes abundantly clear. The coalition isn't opposed to development set back from the river.
It’s also clear that building any large, multi-story buildings along the riverfront will cut up and likely cut off, public access to parks, especially to Metropolitan Park, which at one time was a home for Starry Night concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, the Jazz Festival, and other events.
Riverfront Parks Now coalition, along with our club, is planning a series of walks along this gorgeous riverfront. You can expect to see walks and a trip by river taxi this month and next; the details will be posted on the Northeast Florida Sierra Club and RPN websites and on our Facebook page.
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April meetings: Protecting our sea turtles
Our meetings will be virtual until the pandemic eases. Even so, we have a wide variety of engaging speakers scheduled, and they always include time for you to discuss the issues and ask questions.
April 12, Monday, 7 p.m., Zoom: Protecting our beach turtles. Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol member Kevin Brown will speak on the efforts to promote the conservation of endangered and threatened marine turtles in Northeast Florida. He will discuss what actions the patrol takes to ensure the protection of sea turtles and what you can do to help.
Zoom login: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83818464990?pwd=dnRxTUxGTzh5czdWdWxzSVNDTFNFdz09
May 11, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Zoom: Coastal issues and ideas. Erin Handy, the Southeast campaign manager for the preservation group Oceana, will speak on the current campaigns that Oceana is undertaking to protect oceans and marine life. She will update us on the 2021 virtual Hands Across the Sand event, the annual event where people come to join hands to take a stand for clean energy and against seismic testing and oil drilling off our coasts. In the past this was an event held on Jacksonville Beach on a Saturday in May.
Zoom login: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88333911318?pwd=OGJ1ZndyK3ZUV0svUWY2NVN5SGtpQT09
June 7, Monday, and June 14, Monday, 7.m., Zoom: Backyard habitats, parts I and II. The numbers of endangered species are increasing, leading many of us to wonder what we as individuals can do. This program will explore some of the Florida Friendly techniques we as homeowners can employ to help make a difference for wildlife. When we understand that our home landscapes are a part of a larger natural system, this recognition can help guide us to make yards that are visibly appealing yet continue to provide those ecosystem services. Master Naturalist and NEFL Sierra board member Lisa Williams leads the discussion. (We'll announce the Zoom login information later.)
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Outings: Hiking through St. Marks refuge
The ban on outside activities continues through at least July 4, the National Sierra Club announced. In our group, we're presenting virtual outings every other Thursday. Here are the virtual outings for April. Links to register and Zoom logins can be found on our Meetup site or on on our Facebook page.
April 8, Thursday, 7 p.m. Zoom: Hike the Florida Trail through St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Take a virtual hike with us through the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. We will explore salt marshes, hitch a boat ride across the St. Marks river, walk through one of the oldest towns in Florida, visit a hidden spring, and hike through beautiful palm and pine forests.
Earth Day, April 22, Thursday, 7 p.m. Zoom: Hike the Talbot Islands and visit unique beaches. Little Talbot Island and Big Talbot Island offer beautiful trails and several beach walks that include unique natural features. We'll hike the Dune Ridge Trail, then experience Blackrock Beach and Boneyard Beach.
Other virtual outings will be on May 6 and May 20.
Anytime
For inspiration and information, Go on a virtual hike with our knowledegable guides and experience North Florida's wonderful parks and preserves, our national park systems, scenic trails, and overseas treks as well.
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Interesting & vital
Major report details city's fight for resiliency
The Jacksonville City Council has approved a major report from its resiliency committee that details the very real threat rising water poses to the city. The idea is to give the city’s still-to-be-named resiliency officer an agenda to start work on immediately.
Happy Earth Day, 2021
Earth Day is April 22. While there aren't any formal events scheduled, our club has a virtual hike that you can enjoy (see the events section) on April 22, and down in Vilano Beach, from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, the Lullaby of the Rivers music festival features musicians, story-tellers, along with a special emphasis on Earth Day and conservation efforts to honor our planet. Tickets are $10 and children under 10 are free. —Susan Creek
The week of April 19 to 23 is Florida Climate Week. It comes with a full schedule of virtual events, all of which are free.
Cleaning up
Our Northeast Florida Group teams up with Groundwork Jacksonville to keep a completed portion of the planned Emerald Trail clean. We are responsible for the "S-Line," an old Seaboard Line railroad line through the center of downtown. We clean a 1/2 mile portion every second Saturday. In March, we employed two crews to make up for previous weather delays. You can find our S-Line cleanup schedules on Meetup, Facebook, and our web page.
—Bill Armstrong
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About the Sierra Sentry
The Sierra Sentry is the newsletter of the Sierra Club’s Northeast Florida Group. It is published every month with environmental news and activities of interest to area residents.
Contributions—photos, essays, and poems—from readers are welcomed. Questions and comments? Write to the editor, Robert Blade.
Not a member of Sierra? Go here to join and receive a free tote bag.
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Sierra Club, Northeast Florida Group | sierrasentry@gmail.com | sierraclub.org/florida/northeast-florida |
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