Chicken Island Threatened
Holding up a plant pulled from Chicken Island soil, Volusia County biology expert Ed Northy said, “Look at this plant! Tthis is a Brazilian Pepper! It’s an invasive, exotic species, with no natural predator.” Brazilian pepper is only one of a host of invasive species that have taken up residence on the sands strip in the middle of the Indian River lagoon between the South and North Causeways.
One recent Saturday, Mr. Northy and a handful of other biologists taught class at the Marine Discovery Center. The two dozen or so civilian conservation warriors who listened to the lecture will constitute the corps of people, who in the next month or two, will make a journey to the Chicken Island. Once there, they will attempt to restore it by removing invasive species and reintroducing local flora, such as mangrove. They hope to re-establish native species on Chicken Island, in order to help also sponsor native species in the waters adjacent to the island.
"We’re hoping that private property owners will also join in with the effort,” said Stephanie Wolfe of the Marine Discovery Center. For information on restoring Chicken Island, contact the Marine Discovery Center, info@marinediscoverycenter.org or call:
http://www.marinediscoverycenter.org/
162 N. Causeway
New Smyrna Beach
Florida 32169
386.428.4828
Toll Free 866.257.4828 Fax:386.428.4825
As Relocation Specialist for the Daytona Beach area, I can give you information on all the parks and resources we have. Just let me know what information would be helpful.
Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com