September 27, 2019 Sea Grant Notes

 

THE INAUGURAL GREAT SCAVENGER HUNT

Join the extension office and the Pensacola-Perdido Bay Estuary Program for a family fun scavenger hunt searching for cool plants and animals within, and along the shores of Pensacola Bay. Teams can search beach & dunes, salt marshes, seagrass beds, or hardened structures such as docks, seawalls, or jetties.

The event will be the week of Oct 13 – 19.

Extension will have three workshops to go over everything

Sep 30 Navarre Beach Marine Science Station – 5:30 PM

Oct 2 Downtown Pensacola Library – 6:00 PM

Oct 3 Southwest Library near Perdido Key – 6:00 PM

Visit the following link for more information

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2019/09/06/2019-pensacola-perdido-bay-bio-scavenger-hunt/.

 

WHAT IS ‘GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE’ AND HOW CAN IT BENEFIT PANHANDLE BAYS? UF PARTNERS WITH SANTA ROSA AND ESCAMBIA COUNTIES FOR FREE WORKSHOPS

MILTON, Fla. — Residents can learn about practices aimed at mitigating flood risks and improving water quality around Pensacola and Perdido Bays at three community workshops, co-hosted by University of Florida faculty and Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.

“Low-impact development and ‘green infrastructure’ are ways to improve communities’ resiliency to wet-weather impacts,” said Eban Bean, an assistant professor of urban water resources at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “Features such as rain gardens, vegetative swales, permeable pavement, green roofs and rain barrels can be designed reduce flooding and improve water quality.”

In the three events hosted in October in Gulf Breeze, Pensacola and Milton, UF/IFAS Extension and research faculty have partnered with the counties’ staffs to educate the public and gain feedback on implementing such strategies in the area.

Bean and Matthew Deitch, an assistant professor of watershed management at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center in Milton, will lead the discussions about urban runoff and water quality in the Panhandle. They’ll also describe how green infrastructure has been used throughout Florida to benefit communities.

After the educational sessions, participants can provide input on places where flooding is common and where water quality is impaired. This feedback will help decide areas where researchers will collect runoff and water quality data for the next two years and test the benefits of green infrastructure on flooding and water quality using computer simulations. Results will be shared at future workshops and guide future projects to reduce flooding and improve water quality in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.

Online registration is encouraged and can be found at freeworkshop.eventbrite.com. The first 50 attendees at each meeting will receive an emergency rain poncho.

WHO: UF/IFAS faculty, partnered with Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, to inform residents in Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay watersheds.

WHAT: Three free community workshops designed to educate the public about green infrastructure as a solution to flooding and water quality impairment.

DATES AND LOCATIONS:

• Oct. 1 at the Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, in Gulf Breeze
• Oct. 3 at the Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 South I Street, in Pensacola
• Oct. 10 at the University of Florida at Pensacola State College Milton Campus, 5988 U.S. 90, Building 4900

TIME: All workshops run from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

For questions or more information, contact Matthew Deitch at 850-983-7131 or mdeitch@ufl.edu.

 

SEPTEMBER IS MICROPLASTICS AWARNESS MONTH

Read about this issue at either

http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2019/09/06/microplastics-awareness-month-4/.

 

COASTWATCH ALLIANCE IS SEEKING SPONSORS FOR THEIR FALL PENSACOLA LIONFISH CLASSIC

This non-profit is planning a lionfish removal event Oct 4-6 and is in need of sponsors. Contact me at the extension office for more information on how.

 

This Week

 

Monday Sep 30

The Great Nature Scavenger Hunt Workshop – Navarre Beach Marine Science Station – 8638 Blue Heron Ct. – Navarre Beach – 5:30 PM

 

Tuesday Oct 1

What is Green Infrastructure and How Can it Benefit Pensacola Bays? Workshop – Tiger Point Community Center – 1370 Tiger Point Lane Gulf Breeze – 6:00 PM

 

Wednesday Oct 2

The Great Nature Scavenger Hunt Workshop – Downtown Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring Street Pensacola – meeting room B – 6:00 PM

 

Thursday Oct 3

The Great Nature Scavenger Hunt Workshop – Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway Perdido Key – 6:00 PM

What is Green Infrastructure and How Can it Benefit Pensacola Bays? Workshop – Corrine Jones-Sanders Beach Community Center – 913 S. “I” Street Pensacola – 6:00 PM

 

Current Articles

Ospreys: A Tale of Resilience – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.

Pokeweed: Adding Purple to the Fall Palet – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.

 

Water Quality

Health Advisories

• 10 stations sampled last week
• Ft. Pickens, Opal Beach, and Johnson’s Beach no longer monitored since summer visitor season is over.
• Monday Sep 23 – Chico, Grande, Texar, Big Lagoon SP, Perdido Key SP, Sanders Beach
• Tuesday Sep 24 – Casino Beach, Park East, Park West, Quietwater Beach
• POOR ADVISORY ISSUED – Bayou Grande
• POOR BUT NO ADVISORY ISSUED – Bayou Chico
• MODERATE – Big Lagoon SP
• GOOD – Bayou Texar, Perdido Key SP, Sanders Beach, Casino Beach, Park East, Park West, Quietwater Beach
• 2019 data at end of these notes

Rainfall

• Rainfall collected weekly from East Hill (UF IFAS)
• Jan (2.1”) Feb (1.5”) Mar (0.7”) – winter = 4.3”
• Apr (6.3”) May (1.0”) June (7.4”) – spring = 14.7”
• Jul (5.0’*) Aug (8.0”) Sep (0.0”)
• * Sea Grant was not available to monitor rain gauge in July – gauge indicated 5” during the month in East Hill

Red Tide

• Last report issued was Sep 20 (FWC)
• Red tide was not detected in the Florida panhandle.
• Background levels were detected in Pinellas County in SW Florida.
• Red tide was not detected along the east coast of Florida

Fish Kills

• Sep 10 fish kill reported at Perdido Key Beach – tarpon
• Two fish kills reported in August. One was dead catfish in lower Perdido Bay and the other was assorted species at Emerald Beach Park in Navarre.
• No other reports this year.
• Report fish kills to FWC at – https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/.

LAKEWATCH Nutrient Data

• The 2019 report is out – read more at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2019/08/22/nutrient-pollution-in-pensacola-bay-the-2019-lakewatch-report-for-escambia-county-waters/.

Killifish Monitoring

• One species of killifish, the Longnose Killifish (Fundulus similis) has low tolerance for freshwater. Working with Auburn University, we will be monitoring selected estuarine tidal creeks for the presence of this fish.
• Project still under development.

Salinity Monitoring

• We have volunteers monitoring salinity around the Pensacola/Perdido Bay system
• First report coming soon

REMEMBER

• Maintain your septic tank
• Do not pour fats, oils, or grease down drains – http://www.ecua.fl.gov/green/fats-oils-and-grease.
• Consider a Florida Friendly Landscaped yard – https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection opens their new interactive algal bloom dashboard – https://floridadep.gov/algalbloom.

 

Bringing Back the Bayous Program – presentation on the state of the bay and how you can help

• Oct 29 – Margaritaville, Pensacola Beach, 165 Ft. Pickens Road, 5:00 PM

 

 

Habitat Restoration

• OCEAN HOUR Clean Ups Sep 28
• – Pickens Fishing Pier (FEE FREE DAY) – Assisting with underwater clean up

Clean Ups begin at 9:00 and supplies are provided

• Living Shorelines

The best time to have a living shoreline planted is the fall and winter. However, we can assist any coastal property owner with this anytime of the year. Contact me if interested in learning more.

• Seagrass Monitoring
• – Monitoring of Big Lagoon grasses began May 1 and will run through the end of September; a full update will be posted in the fall
• Mangrove Surveys
• – We have completed all 10 surveys for Escambia County – no mangroves were found in 2019
• – If you believe you have seen this plant growing in our marshes, please let us know

Wildlife & Fisheries

 

• Horseshoe Crab Nesting Search
• – October begins the fall survey season for nesting horseshoe crabs. They nest along shore during the high tides of the full and new moons. Best days and times to search:
• – Oct 3, 4, 5, 18, 19, 21, 22, 29, 30, 31
• – Nov 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26, 27, 28
• – Dec 13, 14, 24, 25, 26
• Diamondback terrapins
• – Terrapin surveys have been completed. We will announce report later this year.
• Snakes
• – No snake programs planned this month.
• Manatees
• – Sightings continue around Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key.
• – We lost three manatees in Escambia County in 2018. 2 to boat strikes and 1 to cold stress
• – If you see a manatee, contact the manatee hotline at Dauphin Island Sea Lab; 1-866-493-5803 or manatee@disl.org.
• The Great Scallop Search
• – Scallop surveys in Big Lagoon are on-going. We recommend a team of three to do these. If interested contact me.
• 2019 Scallop Season
• – The 2019 Scallop Season has closed in Florida for all locations.

 

Invasive Species

 

• Beach Vitex
• – Vitex is going into seed this time of year. If you have the plant, and choose not to remove it, we recommend that you cut and remove all seed. The seeds can be dried and disposed of.
• Invasive Lionfish
• – We continue to survey for lionfish in the Ft. Pickens area. If anyone finds lionfish inside Pensacola Bay, please report location to us.
• Nutria – A dead nutria was found on the side of Perdido Key Drive near the Theo Baars Bridge. It was a large one and there are probably more. If you live in the Perdido Key area and think you have seen a nutria, contact us and we can let you know how to control there.
• Cuban Treefrogs – The have been reported in the New Orleans area. We can show you how to set up a treefrog collector and assist monitoring for the presence of this invasive frog in our area. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw259.
• Invasive Species Presentations
• – Oct 22 – Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy, 6:00 PM

 

 

Seafood

• Seafood @ Your Fingertips
• – Presentation on local seafood, with samples
• – October 15, Downtown Library, 239 N. Spring Street, 6:00 PM
• Local Seafood in Peak Season for September
• – Cultured clams
• – King mackerel – this fish has been known to have high levels of mercury, check county website for consumption recommendations – link below
• – Mullet
• – Oysters
• – Brown shrimp
• – Rock shrimp
• – White shrimp
• – Snapper (check annual regulations)
• – Spanish mackerel
• – Spiny lobster
• – Swordfish
• – Yellowfin Tuna
• Seafood Safety Guidelines – Escambia County Division of Marine Resources – https://www.myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/seafood-safety.

Environmental Literacy

 

• 2019 SCIENCE HOUR SCHEDULE; programs are held at the Escambia County Central Office Complex; 3363 West Park Place; they begin at 6:00 PM and are free
• – Oct 10 Harmful Algal Blooms Matt Schwartz, UWF
• – Nov 14 Bay Bridge & Artificial Reefs Robert Turpin, Escambia County

 

Upcoming Programs

• Sep 30 – The Great Scavenger Hunt Workshop – Sea Grant will explain how you, and your family, can participate in this new event. Navarre Beach Marine Science Station – 8638 Blue Heron Ct – 5:30 PM
• Oct 1 – Green Infrastructure and Estuarine Health Workshop – Join UF Milton, UF Extension, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties for a workshop on how green infrastructure can help solve some community problems. Tiger Point – 1370 Tiger Point Lane Gulf Breeze – 6:00 PM
• Oct 2 – The Great Scavenger Hunt Workshop – Sea Grant will explain how you, and your family, can participate in this new event. Downtown library meeting room B – 239 N. Spring Street – 6:00 PM
• Oct 3 – The Great Scavenger Hunt Workshop – Sea Grant will explain how you, and your family, can participate in this new event. Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway – 6:00 PM
• Oct 3 – Green Infrastructure and Estuarine Health Workshop – Join UF Milton, UF Extension, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties for a workshop on how green infrastructure can help solve some community problems. Sanders Beach – Corrine Jones Center – 913 S. “I” Street – 6:00 PM
• Oct 10 – Science Hour – This month’s presentation will be by Dr. Matt Schwartz (UWF) on Harmful Algal Blooms – 3363 West Park Place – 6:00 PM
• Oct 10 – Green Infrastructure and Estuarine Health Workshop – Join UF Milton, UF Extension, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties for a workshop on how green infrastructure can help solve some community problems. UF Milton Campus – 5988 U.S. Highway 90 – Building 4900 – 6:00 PM
• Oct 15 – Seafood @ Your Fingertips – Sea Grant, Escambia County Extension, and Perdido Seafood, will have a presentation on local seafood topics. Downtown Library – 239 N. Spring Street – 6:00 PM.
• Oct 22 – Invasive Species – Sea Grant will give a presentation on local invasive species issues. Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway – 6:00 PM.
• Oct 29 – Bringing Back the Bayous – Sea Grant will give a presentation on the health of our bay. Margaritaville – 165 Ft. Pickens Road – Pensacola Beach – 4:00 PM.

 

HEALTH ADVISORY DATA

Enterococcus bacteria count rubric for health advisories (Florida Department of Health)

 

GOOD 0-35 colonies/100ml of sample

MODERATE 36-70 colonies/100ml

POOR 71> colonies/100ml

 

Data provided by the Florida Department of Health’s Healthy Beaches Program

Month	Water Body	Good	Moderate	Poor	Health Advisory Issued
Jan	10				3
	Bayou Texar	3	1	1	1
	Sanders Beach	1	2	2	2
Feb	9				4
	Bayou Texar	1	1	2	2
	Sanders Beach	1	2	3	2
Mar	24				4
	Bayou Texar	2		2	2
	Sanders Beach	3		1
	Bayou Chico			2	2
	Bayou Grande		2
	Big Lagoon SP	2
	Casino Beach	2
	Park East	2
	Park West	2
	Perdido Key SP	1	1
	Quietwater	1		1
Apr	35				6
	Bayou Texar	2		3	3
	Sanders Beach	3	1	1	1
	Bayou Chico	1	1	1	1
	Bayou Grande	2		1	1
	Big Lagoon SP	3
	Casino Beach	3
	Park East	3
	Park West	2
	Perdido Key SP	2
	Quietwater	3		1
	Opal Beach	1
	Ft. Pickens	1
May	26				4
	Bayou Texar	2		2	2
	Sanders Beach	3	1
	Bayou Chico	1		1	1
	Bayou Grande	1		1	1
	Big Lagoon SP	2
	Casino Beach	2
	Park East	2
	Park West	2
	Perdido Key SP	2
	Quietwater	1	1
	Opal Beach	1
	Ft. Pickens	1
Jun	28				0
	Bayou Texar	3	1
	Sanders Beach	3	1
	Bayou Chico	1	1
	Bayou Grande	2
	Big Lagoon SP	2
	Casino Beach	2
	Park East	2
	Park West	2
	Perdido Key SP	2
	Quietwater	2
	Opal Beach	2
	Ft. Pickens	2
Jul	44				4
	Bayou Texar	3		2	2
	Sanders Beach	3	1
	Bayou Chico	2		1	1
	Bayou Grande	3
	Big Lagoon SP	2	1
	Casino Beach	3
	Park East	3
	Park West	3		2	1
	Perdido Key SP	3
	Quietwater	3
	Opal Beach	3		1
	Ft. Pickens	1	1
	Johnsons Beach	3
Aug	57				7
	Bayou Texar	1		3	3
	Sanders Beach	4		3
	Bayou Chico	1		3	3
	Bayou Grande		3	1	1
	Big Lagoon SP	3		1
	Casino Beach	4		1
	Park East	4
	Park West	4
	Perdido Key SP	4
	Quietwater	3		2
	Opal Beach	4
	Ft. Pickens	3	1
	Johnsons Beach	2	2
Sep	46				4
	Bayou Texar	4
	Sanders Beach	3	1
	Bayou Chico			4	3
	Bayou Grande	1	2	1	1
	Big Lagoon SP	2	2
	Casino Beach	3		1
	Park East	4
	Park West	3		1
	Perdido Key SP	4
	Quietwater	4
	Opal Beach	2
	Ft. Pickens	1		1
	Johnsons Beach	1
TOTAL	238	166	27	48	32
% OF SAMPLES					.13

 

Health Advisory Frequency

Body of Water	# of samples taken	# of advisories issued	% frequency of advisories
Bayou Texar	39	15	.38
Sanders Beach	42	5	.12
Bayou Chico	20	11	.55
Bayou Grande	20	4	.20
Park West	22	1	.04
Casino Beach	21	1	.05

Fish Kill Data provided by FWC

Month	# of Fish Kills reported	# of Dead Fish reported	Cause
Jan	0	0
Feb	0	0
Mar	0	0
Apr	0	0
May	0	0
June	0	0
July –	Johns Beach report – # unknown	Unknown	May have been discolored water
Aug	2	Unknown	Dead catfish in lower Perdido Bay Multiple species from Emerald Beach Park in Navarre
Sep	1	Unknown	Unknown Tarpon Perdido Key Beach