Noah Singer, Ecosystem Assessment Specialist, and Robin Sarabia, AP Manager, of the Florida Keys Aquatic Preserve, met with representatives from SeaBase and SeaCamp to initiate the beginning stages of a partnership with both the organizations. These organizations host camp and school groups throughout the year to provide marine science-based activities to children of all ages.
To encourage visitors to recreate responsibly, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, the GTM Research Reserve (GTMNERR) gave away water bottles to each visitor who completed a brief survey and committed to switching to reusable bottles. These bottles can be filled at one of the reserve’s water bottle refilling stations. This is just one of many steps GTMNERR and the aquatic preserves are taking to promote more sustainable practices.
Early detection and rapid response is the most effective form of invasive species management, so when a downstream neighbor contacted RSAP staff alerting them of a school of tilapia moving in and several plecos hanging around, we had to call in for assistance from the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve (NCAP). While Trisha was giving the kayak tour, Joe (RSAP) and Tyler (NCAP) searched the lower river for invasive fish and removed 11 plecos.
Charlotte Harbor AP and Estero Bay Aquatic Preserves staff showcased their displays and outreach items at the annual Ft. Myers Boat Show. They teamed up with Clean Boating staff and members of the Friends of Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves and the Estero Bay Buddies to spread awareness of the local aquatic preserves and how to protect them.
Quantifying River Flow Metrics for the Apalachicola River was the focus of November’s Sci-Café webinar. Dr. Steve Leitman, who has worked on Apalachicola River issues for decades, provided an overview of a new project aimed at developing scientifically defensible river flow metrics to evaluate potential modifications to federal reservoir operations in the Apalachicola–Chattahoochee–Flint (ACF) River system.
Over the past month, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center welcomed five groups from STARability Foundation’s Trailblazer Academy, a program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each group enjoyed a personalized, hands-on learning experience about Rookery Bay’s coastal habitats and wildlife. It was also a pleasant surprise to see past Friends of Rookery Bay staff member Abigail Swisher leading one of the groups.
The Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve (BBAP) team assisted the DEP Southeast District permitting team with vessel support to perform a permit verification for a newly proposed mooring field. While awaiting further information from the applicant the team collected three small bags of trash in less than an hour, protecting the bay now and for the future.
Recently NWFLAP staff participated in the 32nd annual Day of Caring Event organized by United Way of Northwest Florida. We hosted a group of volunteers to help us with our first planting event of the season! On Day of Caring, 68 projects and 713 volunteers came together across two counties to make an impact in our local community. We partnered once again with Pensacola Energy to kick off planting season on the islands of Project Greenshores.
November 4-6, 2025, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) held an Education Sector Meeting at GTMNERR (GTM Research Reserve). Education coordinators (ECs) from the 30 NERRS across the country spent three days meeting on topics such as the Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) teacher training/professional development program, community partnerships and market analysis/needs assessments.
ORAP and FWC staff completed another successful evening of electrofishing in the headsprings of the Silver River to remove invasive fish. The cool temperature, full moon, and alligator sightings made for a wonderful evening. Within two hours, the boat was full with 72 tilapia and one hoplo. Since January 2025, 647 tilapia have been removed from the headsprings.