Project
Greenshores Recreational Opportunities
As Project Greenshores has become an established
ecosystem with productive marsh grasses and oyster reefs, aquatic life
has
multiplied and visiting bird species have grown, providing recreational
opportunities to local Florida residents and visitors. Canoes and kayaks
can be often be seen paddling along the projects inshore waterways.
Fishermen, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and scuba divers enjoy the benefits of this now
thriving coastal habitat.
Dorothy Corden and James Stegall (see
photos below) reported an increase in the number of fish species
observed in 2004 in comparison to previous years, including:
mangrove grouper, sheepshead, and sargent major.
Birdwatchers are also attracted to the
project area. Recently included on the
Great Florida Birding Trail
,
a statewide project that provides site location informational maps
for notable birdwatching locations in Florida, many species of
wading and coastal shorebirds have been documented in the Project
Greenshores restoration area (see
Bird Monitoring Report).
Ron Voss and Hughey Pierceson kayak restoration site
Friends meet to scuba dive and snorkel (*Clicking
on thumbnail images will open a new browser window)
Recreational fishing and commercial crabbing thrive in this newly created
inter-tidal marsh area and oyster reef.
Local artist/photographer Stephanie Richardson finds ready subjects
at Project GreenShores.
Alan Knoethe leads a birdwatching nature tour along the
Project GreenShores Site 1 restoration site.