Environmental Times Fall Volume 22 Issue 3 Published by the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management

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1 Fall Volume 22 Issue 3 Published by the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management Celebrate Lake Worth Lagoon Fourth Annual LagoonFest on November 4 Are you ready to explore the wonders of Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach County s largest estuary? If so, you won t want to miss LagoonFest, the annual celebration of this local treasure. This free, familyfriendly festival will be held on Saturday, November 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. next to the West Palm Beach GreenMarket on South Flagler Drive along the downtown waterfront. This event features hands-on exhibits, wildlife viewing, children s activities, water sports and more. Once again, LagoonFest will feature the popular naturalist-led eco tours by kayaks, live music and giveaways, such as the 2018 Lake Worth Lagoon calendar, while supplies last. For more information, visit

2 Artificial Reef Program Update New Additions to the North County Artificial Reef System Concrete for both the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse replica and Palm Beach Fishing Foundation reef darts were poured in September. The idea for the 16-foot-tall lighthouse replica came from the Andrew Red Harris Foundation. The project, funded by the Town of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Replica Jupiter, will be deployed by the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management. The lighthouse replica will be placed near the middle of the Andrew Harris No Shoes Reef offshore of Jupiter in 55 feet of water. The concrete reef darts are designed to provide spawning areas and juvenile habitat for snapper and grouper. They will be placed offshore of the Lake Worth Inlet in approximately 100 feet of water. Both artificial reefs are scheduled for deployment in October pending ocean conditions. By Jena McNeal Reef Darts Hurricane Irma Batters Boats in Lake Worth Lagoon Department staff worked with Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and LagoonKeepers to record derelict vessels in Lake Worth Lagoon following Hurricane Irma. A vessel is at risk of becoming derelict if any of the following conditions exist: (a) It is taking on or has taken on water without an effective means to dewater. (b) Spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed are incapable of being sealed off or remain open to the elements for extended periods of time. (c) It has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor. (d) The vessel is left or stored aground unattended in such a state that would prevent the vessel from getting underway, is listing due to water intrusion, or is sunk or partially sunk. Many owners have coordinated the removal and safe return of their boats to mooring sites. Any vessels left behind will be tagged by FWC. For more information, visit By Jena McNeal Visit discover.pbcgov.org/erm/pages/reefs.aspx for more information about Palm Beach County s artificial reef program. 2

3 Fall 2017 Chainsaw Crews Clear Hurricane Irma Debris From Roadways In the wake of Hurricane Irma s destructive path, the Department of Environmental Resources Management s (ERM) Chainsaw and Heavy Equipment Disaster Response crew cleared roads throughout Palm Beach County. One of the larger trees removed was a ficus that completely blocked a road ending in a cul-de-sac in a Boca Raton neighborhood. This prevented residents and emergency vehicles from accessing the homes at the end of the road. Temporary access for the residents automobiles was set up through a neighbor s driveway, but emergency vehicles could not access the tight pathway. This was a public safety issue until the tree was cut into pieces by ERM staff on the second day after the storm blew through the area. The crew made quick work of the downed tree - it was cut up and piled alongside the road in a little more than two hours. By Barry Jennings 3 Checking In With The Waifs Of Winding Waters Relocated Gopher Tortoises Tracked to Monitor Their Well-being Winding Waters Natural Area in West Palm Beach became a Waif Gopher Tortoise Recipient site this summer. To date, 12 gopher tortoises from around the state now call the western portion of Winding Waters home. Much of the western 195 acres of the natural area was once pasture land. Restoration efforts have restored much of the native habitat and the well-drained sandy soils make this an ideal spot for gopher tortoises. The Department (ERM), in conjunction with the South Florida Wildlife Center out of Broward County, initiated a tortoise monitoring project utilizing small tracking devices glued on the animal s shells. Once a month, ERM and Wildlife Center staff go out to the recipient area with a receiver and track the location of the tortoises. This technology allows staff insight into the movement of the gopher tortoises throughout their home territory. By Barbara Bobsein

4 The Evolution Of Old Bridge Park Creating Additional Boat Access to Lake Worth Lagoon By Carolyn Beisner JEWELL COVE LIVING SHORELINE OLD BRIDGE PARK SNOOK ISLANDS NATURAL AREA 1 BRYANT PARK 2 4 The 1.5-acre Old Bridge Park, owned by the City of Lake Worth, has undergone many changes over the past 150 years. The area now called Lake Worth was settled a few years after Congress passed the Homestead Act of In 1896 Henry Flagler extended his rail line south from West Palm Beach, making Lake Worth more accessible to new settlers. Much of present-day Lake Worth was once owned by Samuel and Fannie James. While they were in possession of the property, the future townsite was referred to as Jewell. In 1911, Fannie James sold the core area of her land to the Palm Beach Farms Company. Lake Worth was formally incorporated in A wooden traffic bridge was built over the lagoon in The first casino and municipal beach complex was completed shortly thereafter. The wooden bridge didn t last long - it was destroyed by a hurricane in A new concrete bridge was constructed in That bridge lasted for almost 40 years, until the current four-lane Robert A. Harris Memorial Bridge was completed in A small portion of the 1937 bridge remained as a fishing pier beside the new bridge until 2011, when it was demolished. Pieces of the old bridge were sunk to create an artificial reef in Snook Islands Natural Area. Old Bridge Park received a makeover in A new seawall, floating dock, and sidewalk was constructed to provide public access for boating and fishing and increased opportunities for environmental education. The 60-foot floating day dock accommodates up to four vessels and offers anglers a new fishing venue. The newly constructed Jewell Cove Living Shoreline can be accessed by a pathway leading under the existing bridge and along the Lake Worth Lagoon shoreline. This project was a joint effort of the Florida Inland Navigation District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, City of Lake Worth, and Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management ) Lake Worth s first casino and municipal beach complex. The current building on that site is the third iteration after the first one burned down and the second one was destroyed after the 1947 hurricane. 2) Wooden traffic bridge destroyed by a hurricane in ) Concrete bridge constructed in 1937 replaced the hurricane-damaged wooden bridge. 4) Robert A. Harris Memorial Bridge under construction in the early 1970s. The old 1937 bridge is on the right. Old Bridge Park location outlined in yellow.

5 Fall 2017 Experience Nature At Night Growing Up Wild Kid s Event at Jupiter Ridge Natural Area A whole different world of wildlife comes alive after dark at Palm Beach County natural areas. Join Department staff at Jupiter Ridge Natural Area on Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. for a fun-filled outdoor classroom that provides children with a connection to nature. Participants should bring a flashlight with a red lens (or red film covering the lens) to protect your night vision while looking for nocturnal animals. Hikes are at least an hour long and include varied terrain and may not be suitable for children under 5 years old. Strollers are prohibited. Registration is required, sign up at pbcerm.eventbrite.com. 5

6 6 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Update It s a Record Year for Green Sea Turtle Nests! Meet the green sea turtle. Adults can be seen in nearshore waters during the hot summer months when they are here to nest on the beach. Young green sea turtles are found throughout Lake Worth Lagoon, the Intracoastal Waterway, and on nearshore reefs is shaping up to be a record-breaking year for green sea turtle nests. Tracks like those pictured above, at Jupiter Beach, are evidence of nesting activity from the night before. So many green sea turtles lay their nests on our beaches that it can be difficult to distinguish one track from another. That s good news as it means these threatened marine reptiles are making a comeback. Visit for information about Palm Beach County s sea turtles. Hurricane Irma caused beach erosion that impacted sea turtle nests incubating on our beaches. Thankfully, the impact was less than expected. Approximately 70% of the nests laid this year had already hatched by the time the storm passed over Florida. Of the remaining nests, less than half were washed out. Sea turtles have adapted a nesting strategy that accounts for loss due to natural events like storms. Overall, the damage due to waves and erosion was minimal in what has been a record-breaking sea turtle nesting season.

7 Fall 2017 Visit for information about volunteering. ERM VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BEST! The numbers have been crunched and the results are outstanding! During July, August and September, Department of Environmental Resources Management volunteers donated 649 labor hours to help preserve Palm Beach County s precious environment. More than 200 volunteers worked on 15 projects in county-owned natural areas. They removed 4,460 pounds of trash and installed a barrier to protect relocated gopher tortoises at Winding Waters Natural Area. KEEPING IT CLEAN AND GREEN VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION By Ann Mathews Top: Volunteers from Healthier Jupiter and Limestone Creek Advocates, Inc. removed 135 pounds of trash during the International Coastal Cleanup at Limestone Creek Natural Area in September. Middle Left: Gardens Gives Back Community Service Experience campers removed trash from Limestone Creek Natural Area in July. Middle Right: Volunteers removed 300 pounds of trash from the shoreline of Juno Dunes Natural Area in July. Bottom Left: West Park Baptist Church summer campers removed 400 pounds of trash from Seacrest Scrub Natural Area in July. Bottom Right: Volunteers install a barrier to protect relocated gopher tortoises at Winding Waters Natural Area in July. 7

8 Volume 22 Issue 3 Published quarterly by the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management 2300 N. Jog Road - Fourth Floor West Palm Beach, FL Rob Robbins...Department Director Mike Stahl...Deputy Director Ann Mathews...Editor/Graphics Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Paulette Burdick...Mayor Melissa McKinlay...Vice Mayor Hal R. Valeche Dave Kerner Steven L. Abrams Mary Lou Berger Mack Bernard Verdenia C. Baker...County Administrator Lake Worth Lagoon Projects Get Adopted Did you know that the Department has a Memorial Bench Program? An individual, family or group can donate a bench to remember a loved one, honor a person or organization, or commemorate a special event. A cast bronze 10" by 3" memorial plaque with text selected by the donor is attached to the bench. A donor may request placement of a bench at a particular natural area. Once installed, the bench will provide visitors an opportunity to rest, observe wildlife, and enjoy South Florida's beautiful native landscapes. This memorial bench is located at Delray Oaks Natural Area in Delray Beach. For more information about this program, visit and click on "Memorial Benches" under Natural Areas Links. The Path to College Fellowship group, a mentoring and youth development program for high achieving, low-income students, has adopted the Bryant Park Living Shoreline, Jewell Cove Living Shoreline and Lake Worth Golf Course Living Shoreline project sites. The group conducts monthly sweeps of the sites removing trash and exotic vegetation. They also monitor the growth of red mangroves throughout the project areas. Thank you for helping the Department protect and preserve Lake Worth Lagoon. By Carolyn Beisner