Two outreach events in celebration of Save Our Waters Week. Our annual kayak tour returned after a year off due to Hurricane Helene, fittingly taking place on the storm’s one-year anniversary. Community members joined staff and partners from the Florida Public Archaeology Network, Crystal River Preserve State Park, and SMMAP for a guided paddle highlighting the area’s cultural and natural resources.

This week Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve wrapped up surveys in St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve, officially completing three of the five systems we monitor annually. Additionally, Tim and Sandra accompanied Nigel and Mandy from the Florida Public Archaeology Network to survey one of their sites within the preserve. They were eager to locate the site and document post Hurricane Helene, which they did so successfully.  

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.