TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS BOAT TOUR
GULF COAST VISITOR CENTER
Ranger: Michelle Drake
Length: 1-1 ½ hours
Equipment needed: Park Maps, bird cards
Props: Propagules, Mangrove leaves, jar of water.
Theme: The Everglades National Park protects a large diversity of plant and
animals. After my presentation, I would like my audience to understand that it is
necessary to conserve and protect our quality of water and our mangrove
esturaries in order to assure protection for this nursery habitat. SO WHAT?
Goal: To promote an understanding of the nature and beauty of the mangrove
estuary and the important role mangrove’s play in the conservation of life in the
Everglades.
Objectives: Visitors should be able to list 2 characteristics of a mangrove tree,
name 3 species of animals that inhabit the mangrove ecosystem and discuss the
interrelationships between mangrove estuaries and the Everglades.
Resource Message:
The Mangrove Estuary is an intricate part of the Everglades ecosystem. It is the
nursery for our marine species, rookeries for birds and is also a land building
system which should be protected for generations to come.
PROGRAM OUTLINE: Welcome to the Everglades!!!
Ice Breaker: Introductions (captain, mate and me), names, where from, first trip
to ENP?, other NP’s? Point out other 3 parks in south Florida, Biscayne, Dry
Tortugas, and Big Cypress.
Big Idea 1. Historical Water Flow of Everglades
2. KOE water shed; from Kissimee, through Okachobee Lake, to
Everglades Map?
2. Limestone - porus rock made of calcium carbinate, aquifers –
underground storage areas of fresh water stored in the limestone,
our fresh water source for so. Florida
Big Idea 2. Human History
2. Native People – 10,000 BC – 8,000 BC, Paleo-Indian, arid
conditions, lived with mammoths, began to adapt to wetlands,
patterns, became hunters.
8,000 BC – 750 BC after glacial p. sea level rose
5,000 BC cypress swamps and hardwood forests, subtropical climate
terrain, using shelfish and marine resources, use of tools and pottery
750 BC – 1500 AD characterized by pottery types,
thriving trade network, resources (lithic tools and ornaments)
Historic Contact – 1500 – 1700
Europeans – 5 tribes, Calusa dominate
other tribes – 20,000, by 1763 reduced to several 100; demise of
indigenous people – Creek peoples move in, Seminoles early as 1800,
Seminole wars, bands moved further into the Everglades to avoid
removal (midens – shell mounds)
Big Idea 3. Mangrove Estuaries
2. def. estuary ( area where salt and fresh water come together
usually at the end of a river where it reaches the sea)
2. 3 types of mangroves – from waters edge to inland
3. Red –ariel prop roots, 2 functions (roots support tree and
used for breathing), nurseries since in and out of water due to tides
3. Black – in soil, “pencils” grow upward above the soil Black
bark
3. white – more inland, leaves round, leaf has two glands
called nectarines that excrete sugar
3. tannin in leaves causes discoloration of the water
2. Second largest mangrove area in world, important because:
3. protect and reduce erosion of shorelines
3. create habitats for fish, shrimp, crabs,sharks, etc. (nursery)
3. leaf litter which benefits food chains
3. barrier from storms
3. land building
Big Idea 4. Inhabitants
2. Plants
3. mangroves & buttonwood
2. Animals
3. Birds
4. Pelicans
4. Osprey
4. Snowy Egret
4. Cormorant
4. Great Blue Heron
4. Little Blue Heron
4. Tri-colored Heron
4. Great Egret
4. Frigate
3. Turtles
4. Loggerhead
4. Green Sea Turtle
4. Hawksbill
4. Kemps Ridley
3. marine mammals
4. atlantic bottlenose dolphin
4. manatee
Big Idea 5. History of Water Management
2.Canals & Flood Control
3. draining “swamp” for farm land
3. land encouraged developers , trains, new cities, etc.
3. more canals and roads
3. 1948 Central & South Florida Project – Army Corp of
Engineers; provide for water, flood protection, water supply, for Everglades,
preserve fish & wildlife habitat, facilitate navigation and recreation, and prevent
salt water intrusion
3. increasing population and changes in land use – degraded
the natural system of the KOE watershed and the Everglades.
2. Problems for the Everglades
3. 50% of Wetlands gone
3. Loss of habitat for animals – endangered & threatened
3. wading birds reduce by 90%
3. intrusion of exotic plants and animals – Burmese python
3. die off of sea grasses
2. Everglades Restoration –
3. CERP – Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan – 10.5
billion, take 30 years, “restore the right quanity, quality, timing, and distribution”
of fresh water to the natural system.
4. remove levees and canals
4. reduce loss of water from eastern side of park
4. improve spatial distribution of water
4. restore overland flow to help with the high salinity in
Florida and Biscayne Bays
CONCLUSION:
1. Thank you for coming
2. Stress importance of this unique environment
3. Captain – docking procedures.
Brown Pelican
Most common, may spot white which are rare,
gifts to attract a mate, live in large flocks know as rookeries,
eat the 4lbs fish a day, hunt for food by diving into the air
and then plunging 60 ft. in water, can hold 3 gals of water,
bottom of bill, also use as air conditioner, 61/2 – 7 ½ wingspan,
2-3 feet tall. White are taller.
Osprey
Food – fish, male chest white, Female dark necklace streaks
around neck,builds nest on man-made structures, takes 5 days
for all chicks to hatch, older chick dominate,
younger chicks can starve, barbed pads on talons to help grip fish,
carries fish headfirst to nest to make it aerodynamic.
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
Small, lacy white plumage, black legs, yellow feet,
Different from Great Egret
Cormorant
Goose-long neck, webbed feet, hooked bill,
propel through water with web feet, produce
pellets like owls. Diving bird
Great Blue Heron
Largest and heaviest birds in Ever (5lbs), most vocal
Wading bird, food fish
*Little Blue Heron same except smaller
*Tri-colored Heron
Great Egret
2lbs., black legs and feet
Frigate Bird
Size of Osprey, forked tail, when flying looks like
Batman symbol, “man of war” bird because it
Steals other birds food
Roseate Spoonbill
28”-32” tall, greenish head,
spoon-shaped bill, White neck,
pink body, orange tail
Anhinga
33-35”, black body, long neck,
Yellowish bill, silvery streaking,
Long tail, straight beak