ROOKERY
BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE
February 3, 2004 — The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located in southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico south of Naples, one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation. Prior to its designation by NOAA in 1978, the core lands surrounding Rookery Bay were the focus of a community effort that led to its protection as a sanctuary. Now celebrating its 25th year in operation, RBNERR comprises approximately 110,000 acres. It is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, with NOAA as its federal partner. Agriculture, tourism, fishing, boating and commercial crabbing are important revenue sources in Collier County, and the undeveloped areas of RBNERR and the Aquatic Preserve are heavily used year-round by residents and tourists. Acquisition and restoration of watershed and barrier island land surrounding RBNERR is a high priority as a means of buffering the estuary from developmental pressure. Balancing the need for estuarine research, preserving rare habitats and educating the public are key management goals. Biogeography Mangrove forest is the most extensive vegetated habitat in the reserve, accounting for 80 percent of the land-based acreage. Three species of mangroves occur in the reserve: red, black and white. Red mangroves comprise the dominant vegetation on most of the islands and along the immediate shoreline of the bays and tidal creeks. The mangrove forests of RBNERR are of critical value to the estuarine ecosystem, particularly due to the energy it provides through detritus (material formed through the breakdown and decay of plant and animal remains). The complex branching prop roots of red mangroves support a large number of plants and animals, particularly invertebrates and fishes. Herons, pelicans and numerous other bird life use red mangrove islands in Rookery Bay as night roosts. A few of these islands have also traditionally served as bird rookeries, hence the name Rookery Bay. Mangrove forests are invaluable to the surrounding community because their extensive above ground root systems, which reduce the physical impact of storms and wave action. These same root systems that slow freshwater runoff and act as a filter for nutrients also trap silt and sediments, thus stabilizing shorelines and preventing erosion. Resource
Issues Recreation Southwest Florida’s coast is known for its white sand beaches, and tourists enjoy the barrier islands within the RBNERR for shelling, swimming and other activities. Because Key Island, Cape Romano and the Ten Thousand Islands can only be accessed by boat, boating is becoming tremendously popular within RBNERR. One in 18 Floridians owns a vessel, and a growing number of residents and tourists enjoy the availability of rental vessels in the area. The south end of Key Island is the most popular recreational destination within RBNERR, and receives an estimated 30,000 boating visitors annually. There are a number of public boat launch locations providing access to island beaches and mazelike mangrove waterways where nearly 200 species of fish are known to reside. Fishing is allowed throughout RBNERR as long as it is done in compliance with local, state and federal laws. Recreational fishing represents a primary resident and non-resident use of RBNERR resources. In the quiet backwaters of the reserve, recreational fishing species include snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, spotted sea trout and tarpon. A canoe launch and marked trail within RBNERR was designed to provide quiet enjoyment and up-close and personal wildlife observation opportunities. About two miles in length, the Shell Point Canoe Trail leads visitors through a watery maze of mangrove tunnels, mud flats, oyster beds and rookery islands. Several primitive
campsites have been designated within the Reserve. Camping and boating
visitors are encouraged to utilize “Leave No Trace” guidelines,
which were originally established by the National Outdoor Leadership School.
This set of “outdoor good manners” was adopted by RBNERR to
help protect the area from unintended abuse by outdoor enthusiasts. RBNERR’s headquarters and administration building (which opened in 1996) is adjacent to the new Environmental Learning Center. Large and small conference rooms and offices housing administrative and other RBNERR personnel are located in this building. The original site of RBNERR headquarters, the Shell Island Road field station (and visiting investigator lab facility) is located off Collier Boulevard about halfway between Naples and Marco Island. The original dock with slips for 15 boats, located near the mouth of Henderson Creek, has been updated with a 100-foot-long floating extension. RBNERR has two dormitory facilities for visiting researchers, educators and resource managers — six beds in a restored gatekeeper's house on Goodland Bay and 12 beds at the Ranger’s lodge on Cannon Island. Coastal
Training Program
Research
Monthly shark monitoring in the shallow bays of the Ten Thousand Islands (Cape Romano Aquatic Preserve), initiated by researchers from Switzerland, is a continuing effort. RBNERR staff have been collecting baseline data in advance of hydrology changes anticipated to coincide with the upcoming Everglades Restoration. During this study, RBNERR biologists have also been able to document valuable information about a non-target species, the endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). Stewardship
RBNERR's
resource management program is responsible for implementing science-based
management strategies to conserve natural biodiversity, while protecting
natural resources. Identification and documentation of cultural and historical
sites within the reserve, and a comprehensive prescribed fire program
developed to maintain the natural fire regime, are two examples of these
ongoing efforts. RBNERR conducts extensive education programs in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University, Collier County Public Schools and others. Target audiences range from primary and secondary students to college students, general public and environmental professionals. On-site programs feature "hands-on" field activities; including the use of boats, canoes and interpretive boardwalks and trails. Established in 1987, the Friends of Rookery Bay is a non-profit community organization providing assistance and support for the state’s management efforts at RBNERR. Members represent RBNERR at off-site festivals and events, assist researchers with field studies/monitoring efforts and provide many other forms of logistic support. Through FORB, community volunteers contribute more than 9,000 hours each year to help RBNERR meet its mission. The Rookery Bay Foundation, created in 2003, generates financial and community support for RBNERR in its goals to create and sustain a world-class marine research and education center. The Foundation strives to increase public understanding of the environmental, social and economic consequences of human interaction with the coastal landscape and its inhabitants. Relevant
Web Sites Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas RBNERR
Resource Issues Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Media
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