We recently recognized the Rotonda West Aquatic Canal System Committee for their efforts in preserving, conserving and restoring The Real Florida, as it is stated on our Certificate of Appreciation award. I attended their monthly meeting on March 24th and presented the award to Hank Killion, the committee chair and Bob Winter, an active member of the committee.
Bob and I used to go out with the Thursday work party doing exotic removal at Cedar Point Environmental Park. Now we are crossing paths again, as our Mangrove Chapter is partnered with the aquatics committee and the Charlotte County Extension Office. The grant funded project we are working on involves the creation of a demonstration area on a section of the canal system. This will show residents what they can do to buffer the canal system from pollutants and nutrient-rich storm water runoff.
A series of planted areas, which utilize a variety of native aquatic and wetland-type plants will be set up to show residents who live on the canals what they can plant in the first 6 feet above the mean water line that will act as a buffer against mowing all the way to the water's edge, as well as keeping excess phosphorus and nitrogen from getting into the water. The canal system ultimately flushes out into Lemon Bay and Charlotte Harbor by way of Coral Creek and Buck Creek, so this is an important project to help ensure good water quality.
There has been one workshop and a work day so far in April, with a lot more work to do. If anyone in our membership is interested in participating in this project, let me know so I can keep you posted on additional opportunities to do so: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .