Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve

Project Spotlight

Cover of GTM NERR Draft Management Plan The draft of the Guana - Tolomato - Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan is available for public review. Adobe Reader is required to view this 21.2 MB PDF. Public meetings are being held on Sept. 26 and 27, 2007 to receive input on this draft plan. Comments can also be submitted by e-mail or fax until Oct. 4, 2007.

"Community leaders have preserved extensive areas in the watershed of the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve resulting in one of the state’s most pristine freshwater, tidal creek and estuarine habitats. This Aquatic Preserve provides a unique setting to understand nature and to set goals for protecting other estuaries in the region."

Michael Shirley
Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR Manager

Aerial view of east Pellicer Creek

Key Accomplishments

Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) coordinates with the DEP Regulatory program to ensure that Environmental Resource Permits and Submerged Land authorizations are as protective of aquatic preserve resources as possible. CAMA can provide support to permit review staff through its resource staff familiar with preserves, boat access, GIS mapping, and field support.
Water quality, nutrients, and meteorological conditions are all monitored as part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System Wide Monitoring Program.
CAMA partners with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), US Geological Survey (USGS), DEP Division of Recreation and Parks, Flagler County and other agencies to conduct monitoring, research, and education programs in the watershed.
Coastal Training Programs have targeted water quality issues as well as habitat restoration efforts.

Nutrient monitoring

Research Partnerships

Guana - Tolomato - Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR), managed by Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA), increases its research capabilities through partnerships. CAMA has partnered with other agencies to survey juvenile fisheries, monitor water quality and conduct a pilot study on emergent vegetation. The vegetation study compares aerial photographic maps of marsh land from 1942 through 2004 to delineate shoreline and vegetation change. The goal of these projects is to determine the causes of change to the environment and ultimately improve the management of these areas.

Quick Facts about Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve

Location:

St. Johns and Flagler counties

Acreage

500 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Dr. Mike Shirley
Environmental Administrator, GTMNERR
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
904-823-4500

Download a printable version of this page.

Further information about Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve

Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve Management Plan

Pellicer Creek flats

Princess Place lodge

The historic Lodge at Princess Place Preserve

Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve Management Plan
One of the most pristine estuarine/riverine systems along Florida’s east coast
Pellicer Creek is protected by Faver Dykes State Park to the north and Princess Place Preserve and Pellicer Creek Conservation Area to the south.
Designated as an Outstanding Florida Water, the submerged lands of the Aquatic Preserve include saltwater marsh, brackish tidal creek, oyster bars, tidal mud flats, freshwater marsh, and wet prairie.
Contains one of the rare habitats for submerged aquatic vegetation or seagrasses in a North Florida estuary

Pellicer Creek

Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve

Last updated: June 20, 2008