Seagrass Restoration in Moore's Creek

UPDATE: We are so very proud to have received so much support for this important project and cannot thank you enough for your outpouring of curiosity, willingness to volunteer, and of course financial support to bring this project to Moore's Creek in Downtown Fort Pierce. Because we have surpassed our goal, and continue to receive more support even past the goal, we are hard at work looking for the best possible way to expand the project and bring even more seagrass to our area of the Indian River Lagoon. Please stay tuned for updates. Thank you again from the entire ManaTeam and Happy New Year!

You can make a difference by donating today to Treasure Coast Manatee Foundation. The Treasure Coast Manatee Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established to support and enhance environmental awareness, education, and stewardship of endangered species and natural resources fulfilling its mission through the Manatee Observation and Education Center.

 

The Treasure Coast Manatee Foundation is raising funds to restore seagrass in Moore's Creek of Fort Pierce, Florida.

 

 

 

1,017 manatees died in Florida between January 1st and November 19th, 2021, surpassing the previous highest annual statewide number of 830 manatee mortalities in all of 2013.

 

 

Florida's manatee mortality event has captured the attention and hearts of concerned citizens nationwide. With an estimated manatee population of only 6,800, a loss of 1,017 manatees represents 15% of the entire population.

 

MANATEES EAT UP TO 10% OF THEIR BODY WEIGHT IN VEGETATION EVERY SINGLE DAY.

 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recognized that this year's manatee "Unusual Mortality Event" was highest during the early part of the year, when migrating manatees were in the Indian River Lagoon without enough food to eat. "As temperatures warmed up and manatees on the Atlantic Coast dispersed to other habitat for foraging, the numbers of malnourished carcasses and manatees in need of rescue decreased."

 

THE SOUTHERN INDIAN RIVER LAGOON LOST 2,688 ACRES (26%) OF SEAGRASS COVERAGE BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2015 AND 2017, AND THE DECLINE CONTINUES. (Source: South Florida Water Management District , published 2019)

 

Researchers suspect that the 2011 algae super bloom was the tipping point of seagrass die-off in the Indian River Lagoon. Algae blooms block sunlight from getting through to seagrasses between the water's surface, which prevents the seagrasses from photosynthesizing and surviving.

 

The ongoing seagrass decline is especially concerning because seagrasses are important not only as a food source for manatees, but also as a food source, habitat and nursery for many critical species in the Indian River Lagoon, including turtles, seahorses, crabs, birds, and more.

 

THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON IS HOME TO NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF AMERICA'S MANATEES

 

The Indian River Lagoon is also one of the most biodiverse estuaries in the Northern Hemisphere, home to 35 species that are endangered and threatened. (Source: NPR)

 

Moore's Creek is a modest creek in Downtown Fort Pierce, and the Manatee Center is located on its banks just east of Indian River Drive. As many as 400 manatees are counted visiting Moore's Creek at the Manatee Center every year, in part due to warmer temperatures in the shallow creek, as well as freshwater source for the manatees to drink.

 

 

 

In response to the alarming decline in seagrass populations, and the manatees' Unusual Mortality Event this year, the Treasure Coast Manatee Foundation and Manatee Observation and Education Center are partnering to bring seagrass restoration to Moore's Creek in Spring 2022. We will restore one-half mile of Moore's Creek from an existing project at 7th Street in Fort Pierce all the way east to the mouth of the creek at the Manatee Center. This represents one acre of submerged aquatic vegetation.

 

The seagrass restoration will be led by experts at Sea and Shoreline, and will be situated not only as a restoration project but also as an educational exhibit where visitors can learn about the method and value of seagrass restoration in the Indian River Lagoon. The selected seagrasses will be tolerant to varying salinities, since Moore's Creek salinity varies depending upon the water levels and rain events.

 

We are also fundraising to bring Environmental Educators to St. Lucie County schools and camps with special seagrass restoration programming to teach our community all about the project and the importance of seagrass restoration for our beloved manatees. The programming will be free to the schools and camps, covered instead by the funds raised through this fundraiser.