WHY IS THIS SWAMPIN MY

BACK YARD?

S O U T H F L O R I D A W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T D I S T R I C T

Thank You!By reading this pamphlet, you have taken the first

step toward understanding and preserving Florida'swonderful wetlands. Thank you for helping toprotect this valuable resource.

For information about wetland wildlife,please contact:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission8535 Northlake Blvd.

West Palm Beach, FL 33412561-625-5122

For information about native wetlandplants, please contact:

Your local County Extension Service Office oronline at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu (type “Common

Native Plants” in the search box).

For information about wetland preservesand buffers, please contact us at:

Do Not Alter a Wetland orBuffer Area

A wetland preserve area cannot be modified inany way. This includes, but is not limited to,removal or trimming of planted vegetation, plantingof new landscape vegetation and sod, dumping ofyard debris and clippings, and installation ofstructures such as swing sets, decks, patios,gazebos, docks, etc.

Along the edges of wetland preserves are stripsof land called buffers. These buffers are usuallyplanted and maintained with native vegetation.They can also be open water areas. The bufferprovides a natural barrier between developed areasand preserve areas. In addition, it can serve as analternate habitat type - a dry area for birds andother animals to nest, or a deep water area foranimals such as fish, waterfowl, turtles,salamanders, and frogs. State laws, local laws andsome deed restrictions protect wetlands and theirbuffer areas.

Do Not Encroach on a Wetland or BufferWetland preserve areas and buffers can only be

used for passive recreational purposes, and the useof any motorized or non-motorized vehicle isprohibited.

Encroachment within these areas may result incivil penalty and removal of the encroachment. ADistrict Permit, along with any other requiredgovernmental agency permits, must be modifiedprior to any changes to the wetland preserve or itsassociated buffers.

HELP PROTECT YOUR WETLAND!

If you live next to a wetland, then youare the first line of defense inprotecting and preserving it.

LEARN WHAT

YOUCAN DO TO HELP!

Wetlands are ImportantMany people that live near Florida's swamps or

other wetland areas believe the commonmisconception that wetlands are uselesswastelands that only harbor dangerous animals,stinging insects and stagnant water.

But if you live next to a wetland, consideryourself lucky! You actually live next to a naturalbotanical garden and thriving wildlife refuge.

In fact, wetlands provide a variety of naturalfunctions essential to Florida's ecology:

■ Serving as habitat for a wide variety of nativeplants and animals (some of which arethreatened or endangered)

■ Filtering pollutants from the water supply

■ Preventing flood damage by storingfloodwaters

■ Moderating temperatures by slowly releasingheat on cold winter days and by cooling theair during hot summer days

Wetlands in DangerIn the 1800s, wetlands covered

more than half of Florida. Ashumans developed the state,wetlands were routinely destroyed,drained and filled.

In the early 1970s, people began to realize thatwetlands actually provide valuable habitats, protectthe state's water supply and store floodwaters. Asperceptions changed, laws were enacted to protectwetlands and preserve their essential functions.

But the decades of abuse have taken their toll.Florida has lost nearly half of its wetlands sincepioneer times. With help from residents, theremaining wetlands can be protected andpreserved to benefit future generations.

Know Your WetlandThe wetland preserve area adjacent to your

property or within your community is aconservation area granted to the South FloridaWater Management District (District). Also knownas a mitigation area, it is a wetland that will bepreserved and maintained in its natural state inperpetuity by the homeowners' association orpermittee.

Subdivision developers are required to preservewetlands and to inform new residents ofrestrictions regarding actions in and adjacent towetlands. Your property survey should indicate anywetland boundary limits.

Older homes and subdivisions may not havewetland boundary limits on their property surveys,but you can still easily determine if you live next toa wetland. Here's what to look for:

■ Wetland areas are soaked or flooded by waterfor part of the year

■ Some types of wetlands include forestedswamps, grassy marshes, vegetated lakeshorelines, forested river floodplains and wetprairies

■ Plants that thrive in wetlands includepickerelweed, cattails, water lilies, sedges andrushes

■ Trees that thrive in wetlands include cypress,maple, willow, bay, elm, laurel and water oak

■ An abundant variety of birds, amphibians,reptiles and mammals

W H Y I S T H I S S W A M P I N M Y B A C K Y A R D ?