NWFLAP staff installed three new signs on the islands at Project GreenShores Site 2 (PGS2). These signs let visitors via boat or kayak know that it is a restoration project and to be mindful of the plants. A self-guided kayak tour of the site is in the works.

ORCP staff worked together to capture drone images of the living shoreline along Cat Point. Living shorelines have been monitored along Cat Point since 2004, with breakwaters and marsh plantings added throughout the years. The team set out to deploy ground control points (GCPs) across the survey space. Flights were flown the next day at low tide.

Staff from the Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves (CPAP) hosted some special guests for a tour of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) Nature Center and to view nearby restoration projects.

Sixth graders from Cornerstone Learning came to the Apalachicola Research Reserve from Tallahassee to do a service project. Their school emphasizes stewardship as well as a community outlook. After a brief overview of the Apalachicola watershed, the students took to the trails to scrub signs and clear brush. They definitely left the trails in much better shape for visitors to enjoy.

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.

This week, ANERR research staff were able to complete routine cleaning and maintenance of their 5 water quality monitoring stations. Over time, the PVC tubes that house our water quality monitoring equipment become biofouled from barnacles, oysters, algae, mud, and more. This can alter the conditions within the tube, creating a microcosm that is not representative of the water surrounding it.

Two weeks ago, the Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserve (NWFLAP) team visited the St. Joseph Bay Buffer Preserve, ANERR and coordinated with regional staff to receive training and learn about local projects. The Buffer Preserve and Apalachicola are about 3.5 hours east of Pensacola.

A Franklin/Gulf County affiliation of home school students recently joined us to study oysters and other animals in the estuarine habitat. Even the youngest students are able to draw, and so it was easy to see evidence that they could understand why oysters are a keystone species.

The Fishy Fashion Show exhibit and opening night were a mixture of joy, silliness, education, seriousness, and creativity. These are essential ingredients of success when trying to get an important message out to the public. Artist Joan Matey’s costumes made of marine debris delivered a message both powerful and fun.

Our Apalachicola NERR education staff recently collaborated on a pair of Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) workshops hosted by the Rookery Bay NERR education staff. This TOTE was put on as part of a collaborative partnership between the 2 NERRS and with the Everglades Foundation.