In January, Coastal Watch launched its newest initiative, Back to Our Roots, to teach the value of mangroves on the islands through community involvement. The Coastal Watch Advisory Committee chose mangroves to be the focal point of 2021 because these unique trees play a valuable role in the barrier island ecosystem in Southwest Florida.

 

“Mangroves protect our shorelines and homes from wind damage, erosion, and storm surge and mangrove-lined shorelines decrease wind speeds and reduce wave height,” said Eric Milbrandt, Ph.D., SCCF Marine Lab Director and Scientific Advisor for Coastal Watch. “This provides additional protection for barrier islands facing sea-level rise.”

 

The ultimate goal of the Back to Our Roots initiative is to restore mangroves in order to preserve our islands for generations to come. Around Sanibel and Captiva, mangrove populations are considered stable but there has been noticeable degradation from a lack of tidal flushing. Without mangroves, the natural shoreline becomes threatened with increasing erosion.

Without intervention, there will be continued mangrove loss that will lead to increased shoreline erosion. 

 

Not only are the shorelines at risk, but losing mangroves will also result in a loss of the many ecosystem services they provide. “Mangroves provide so many benefits and services including pollutant trapping, shoreline stabilization, storm protection, habitat for invertebrates and fish, and energy for our food webs,” said Milbrandt. 

 

Through the Back to Our Roots initiative, Coastal Watch and SCCF’s Marine Lab are partnering to restore mangroves by allowing people to “adopt” a mangrove propagule that will later be planted at one of three local restoration sites with a goal of 10 total acres of restored area. Additionally, a “living shoreline” is being researched for both sides of Woodring Road, along with a culvert or bridging project to help restore this vulnerable area. 

 

“Back to Our Roots is a way to connect people to nature by teaching them the importance of mangroves and allowing them to take part in a much broader conservation initiative,” said Conservation Initiative Coordinator Kealy McNeal. “Through education, we can teach people to value, understand, and ultimately care for our environment.”