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Preserving Native Biodiversity

Native biodiversity is the variety of naturally occurring plant and animal species. Each species reinforces a vast and intricately balanced food web in its home range.

Resource Management and Stewardship

Reserve resource managers facilitate land acquisition, conduct habitat and hydrology restoration projects, eradicate and control invasive plants and animals, protect listed species, manage important habitats and wildlife and conduct prescribed fires to sustain native biodiversity.

The Asian Green Mussel (Perna viridis) is a nonnative marine organism that has recently been found on pilings, culverts and other submerged surfaces within the Reserve. Reserve staff are now monitoring its distribution.

These mussels are not native and can damage sensitive estuarine ecosystems. To help prevent further spread, inspect your boat regularly for these organisms and dispose.

To report a sighting of these mussels go to http://nas.er.usgs.gov/sightingreport.asp. and e-mail the exact location and photo (If possible) to info@rookerybay.org. More information about Asian green mussels can be found at greenmussel.ifas.ufl.edu

Fires in Florida

Four Rookery Bay Reserve fire technicians assisted Florida Parks Service personnel with suppression and burn out activities while combating a 4,000-acre wildfire within the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. Another Rookery Bay fire technician was deployed this week with a Type VI engine with the Florida Park Service strike team to the Dairy Road Fire near Starke, Florida.

Americorps on the job!

A team of 11 Americorps volunteers spent the month of March at the Reserve removing invasive exotics from barrier islands and other coastal habitat, picking up trash and providing other needed services.