The St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve conducted two prescribed burns on May 14 and 15, covering a total of 294 acres. The fires were set to reduce excess fuel and support native plant communities. One of the zones had not been burned since before Hurricane Michael and had a significant buildup of vegetation that could pose a wildfire risk.
Big Bend kicked off its first day of seagrass surveys last week in Steinhatchee. With heavy rain threatening to brown out many of the sites, the team launched two boats and set out to sample the entire system in one day. Thanks to the help of Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve contractor Morgan Edwards, all 25 sites were completed. It was no easy task, as each site required four replicate quadrats, but the team got it done.
On Saturday, May 3, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve welcomed more than 1,000 community members for the 2025 Rookery Bay Community Day, an event dedicated to celebrating the vibrant connection between people and the coastal environment.
Lara Bracci, land-based sources of pollution coordinator for the Coral Reef Conservation Program, and Kylie Morgan, coral protection project coordinator for the Coral Protection and Restoration Program, assisted the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves team in swapping data sondes in the bay. They snorkeled to clean the equipment and exchanged the sondes.
The St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve (Buffer Preserve) is a hidden gem along Florida’s Gulf Coast that recently expanded by 606 acres. The Buffer Preserve serves as a natural buffer against pollution and provides a haven for wildlife and rare plant species.
One of the most ironic things for me as an aquatic preserve manager is that I didn’t even know aquatic preserves existed until I started working for one. I was born and raised in Northeast Florida, where I spent as much time as I could outside, on or near the water. Yet I still didn’t know about Fort Clinch or the Nassau River-St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserves.
St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve is a truly special place, with beautiful habitats like seagrass beds, mangrove islands and salt marshes that support a wide range of wildlife. Just a quick boat ride through the area might reveal dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and migratory birds, all showing the preserve’s incredible biodiversity.
It was a truly wonderful day at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) when the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary, Alexis Lambert came to visit last week! We were absolutely thrilled to host her and some of her family as she generously spent her time touring our nature center, enjoying our award-winning film, exploring the beautiful estuary walk and climbing the lighthouse on St.
Welcome to Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve — Miami’s blue heart. Step away from the busy city and immerse yourself in all that nature has to offer. Dive into this aquatic preserve and meet some of Miami’s favorite locals: manatees, bottlenose dolphins, turtles and the lovely Florida sea hare. Explore mangrove islands with magnificent frigatebirds or relax on the shore of one of the many spoil islands.