CREATING PRESERVES: MANATEE SITES CASE STUDY

Implementing the Peril of Flood Act Requirements: Tools for Nature-Based Protection Measures that Work

Presented by:Damon W. MooreDivision Manager – Ecological and Marine ResourcesManatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department

Presentation Overview

• A look ahead at future progression of SLR on Manatee County Coastal Preserves

• A look at current SLR habitat impacts in Manatee County

• A look at Robinson Preserve Expansion design features related to SLR

• A look at future applications of coastal habitat restoration relative to SLR

A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE – SLR Projections for Manatee County Coastal Preserves

SLR IMPACTS WE CAN SEE NOW – It’s not all about the future.

May 2002

Jan. 2008

Apr. 2014

Mar. 2018

ROBINSON PRESERVE EXPANSION & SLR

Robinson Preserve Expansion 2003 Robinson Preserve Expansion 2019

Robinson Preserve Expansion 2003 Robinson Preserve Expansion 2019

FUTURE APPLICATIONS – Why bother & What can we do?

So, this is all going under, why bother?• We are creating and promoting some of the

greatest carbon sinks possible with estuarine wetlands.

• The relative rarity of coastal upland HABITATS. Elevate and restore!

• When a preserve goes underwater, the direct economic impact is relatively low.

• Even temporal benefit is benefit.

Why Bother?

So, this is all going under, what can we do?

• Make more; preserve undeveloped costal areas to allow natural migration of habitats.

• Learn from the plethora of first rate projects in the Tampa Bay area. What are we going to do with the land if coastal properties are abandoned in the future?

• Gear project designs towards carbon sequestration and rare species.

• Document the at-risk biota in their natural settings.

What can we do?

Questions?