Photo from the spartina pond at the Port Manatee Hatchery (SERF). Left to right: Architect Kevin Pierce from Shaw Group, Hatchery Manger Chris Young from FWC, and Conservation Director Jamie Serino from Shaw Group.
Spartina grass is currently used by FWC to filter the hatchery effluent and purify the water. This has a doubly beneficial impact: (1) The plants provide a natural filtration process for the effluent so that the hatchery can release cleaner water back into the surrounding ecosystem than the water they are drawing from the port, (2) Plants plugs are then dug up by volunteers and local school children, and used to restore natural marine shoreline habitat. This is a highly sustainable process benefiting the natural environment is many ways. Spartina plugs cost nearly a dollar if they had to be purchased, but we are growing them naturally (at no cost) and providing them free to groups engaged in restoration projects. Almost all of the planned marine enhancement centers will be utilizing this process to filter water and provide free restorative plant materials.
Comments