Habitat Restoration

Phase 0 – In 2012, Lemon Bay Conservancy began our partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) by submitting a CFI grant application for a $200,000 project design phase.  The grant was approved and SWFWMD engaged the experienced habitat restoration design firm Scheda Ecological Associates to develop the project design.  The two graphics below depict the ponds, creek and underground pipes at Wildflower before and after the planned restoration.

To understand the design, it is helpful to note that the surface waters in the preserve generally drain from east to west and that Lemon Creek on the west side of the property has a tidal connection to Lemon Bay.  (More detail about changes to the wetlands is provided in the description of Phase 2: Wetlands Improvements and Expansion.)

Phase 1 – In June, 2016, invasive species removal began on the roughly 50-acres of the preserve that will remain uplands after project completion.  A specialized piece of heavy machinery called a Hydro Ax, equipped with a forestry mulching mowing head, was used to clear dense area of invasive Brazilian Pepper.

In addition to the Hydro Ax, the contractors used chain saws to remove invasive growth close to existing native plants and to fell larger invasive trees, including Australian Pines and Melaleuca. Periodically, through the following months, licensed professionals came onsite using herbicide applications to limit re-growth of undesirable species.

Phase 2 – The second construction phase of the Wildflower Preserve habitat restoration project was modifying and expanding the freshwater and estuarine wetlands at the preserve.  Following a variety of permitting and contracting delays, this phase began in April 2018.  The process was delayed by concerns with arsenic found in preserve soils.  After consulting professionals and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, modifications were made to the project plans and the wetland work was completed in late 2020.

Pre-restoration, the wetlands at Wildflower consist of several freshwater ponds that were dug as part of the old golf course layout and portions of tidal Lemon Creek.  The ponds are located in the eastern and central sections of the preserve.  Lemon Creek runs north and south along the western side of the preserve.

Lemon Creek is an estuary, meaning a place where fresh and salt water mix.  The creek receives tidal saltwater flows from Lemon Bay through culverts that run under Placida Road.  It receives freshwater flows from rain and from the ponds to the east.  Mangrove backwaters like Lemon Creek serve as important nursery sites for a variety of fish species (including tarpon and snook) and for many other species (such as blue crab).  Mangrove creek acreage has declined dramatically over time due to construction pressures and these losses represent a major exposure for the long-term health of the many species that rely on this habitat.  As part of the Wildflower restoration project, we reservsed a small portion of these losses by adding nine acres of new estuarine wetlands within the preserve and improving the tidal flow between the creek and Lemon Bay.

The restoration project also has improved the freshwater wetlands within the preserve.  The old golf course ponds had steep sides and interconnecting underground pipes.  Water flows into the ponds through stormwater drainage from the surrounding communities and many of the ponds have high nutrient levels that negatively impact water quality.  As part of the restoration, we modified many of the pond edges to eliminate steep sides and create gradual banks where native wetland plants have been added to help filter excess nutrients from the water and provide cover for wildlife.  Underground connections between the modified and expanded ponds were removed and above ground flow ways were added.  The changes improve the existing freshwater areas and add four acres of new freshwater wetlands to the preserve.

Phase 3 – As sections of the wetland expansion and improvements were completed, the next step in the restoration process began.  The newly contoured areas were replanted with native wetland species. At varying elevations along the wetland borders, a variety of plantings were used.

In the estuarine habitats, plantings included smooth cordgrass in the low marsh areas, and saltmeadow grass, black needle rush, and seaside paspalum in the high marsh.

In the freshwater areas, low marsh plantings include sawgrass, softstem bulrush, arrowhead, alligator flag, pickerelweed and Gulf Coast spikerush.  The upper marsh plantings include saltmarsh bulrush, seashore paspalum, canna lily, maidencane, blueflag iris and soft rush.

Transitional zones near the wetland areas have been planted with sand cordgrass and muhly grass.  A small island in one of the freshwater ponds has been be planted with bald cypress and red maple.

As the wetlands changes were completed, work began on native plantings for upland areas within Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve.  More than 8,000 trees, shrubs and clumping grasses have been planted.  The plantings include saw palmetto, firebush, yaupon holly, wax myrtle, red cedar, mulberry, Fakahatchee grass, muhly grass and South Florida slash pine.

While these initial plantings will be a major first step in restoring the uplands, as funds become available in the future, we hope to further expand the diversity of upland plantings by adding other native trees, shrubs and meadow plantings.

Phase 4 – As a condition of our NOAA grant, LBC committed volunteer resources to complete a series of monitoring programs that will help us to assess the effectiveness of the habitat restoration project in meeting our project goals.  Those include: juvenile tarpon research surveys, monthly bird surveys, monthly water quality surveys, and wetland planting survival surveys.  These monitoring programs will continue for at least a year after completion of Phase 3.

Phase 5 – For the first few years after the restoration project is complete, while the native plantings mature, regular maintenance will be required to prevent invasive plant species from returning.  This will involve detailed work by professionals and volunteers to inspect every portion of the property and remove invasives as they begin to appear.

Over time, as the native growth becomes denser and the invasive seed bank decreases, the plant maintenance requirements will lessen, but ongoing vigilance to protect the native habitats will always be required.  As landowner, Lemon Bay Conservancy will also be responsible for ongoing mowing and management of the trail network within the preserve and for management of other issues such as the damage that wild hogs can produce.

Phase 6 – Wildflower is a nature preserve and the restoration project will make it a wonderful place for plants and animals.  But, we also want it provide a beautiful place for our members and visitors to observe nature and learn about the environment. To improve the human experience at Wildflower, there are a variety of projects that we are working on beyond the primary restoration effort.

One key project has been the placement of a bridge over the creek.  Thanks to funding support from our donors, the bridge was completed in parallel with the restoration effort. The bridge crosses over the flow way between the new eastern creek area and the expanded middle prong of the creek.  It creates access for our trail guides to lead tours around the creek without doubling back onto trails previously covered, allows for improved “loop” hiking trails, and provides observation points for photography and nature study.