Final phase of restoration starts at Cortez preserve

By robert Anderson islander reporter

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program are restoring a section of coastline in Cortez with a mind for the environment.

Earth Day 2023

With the help of funding from the SBEP, FISH is completing the final part of a four-phase project begun in 2000 to return the 95-acre parcel to a natural state.

The preserve, 11655 Cortez Road W., is open to the public and maintained by FISH to preserve natural resources and create a buffer for the oldest fishing village in the state against development from the east.

Angela Collins, a FISH board member, said the SBEP has been in partnership with all the restoration activities on the preserve for more than two decades.

Collins is a Florida Sea Grant agent and a specialist on how population growth impacts marine environments.

“This restoration is the final phase and it’s been 24 years in the making,” Collins said in an April 11 interview with The Islander. “Originally the land was dominated by invasive and exotic plant species, it had a lot of trash, large debris that needed to be removed.”

In 2000, FISH and community members came together for phase 1 — a grass-roots effort to raise the money to purchase 95 acres immediately adjacent to the village.

In 2005, FISH purchased several additional parcels of land to enhance the preserve and provide more coastal habitat.

Phase 3 involved the removal of invasive species throughout the property and the reestablishment of native species.

As part of the phase 4 initiative, tree removal and land clearing are underway along the eastern edge of the preserve, where it borders Sarasota Bay RV park, 10777 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.

Staff scientist Jay Leverone of the SBEP estimated April 11 that grant funding to be expended on the project would total $800,000.

The SBEP is a member of the Association of National Estuary Programs and is dedicated to preserving and protecting Sarasota Bay.

SBEP funds will pay for the removal of invasive trees, the construction of a tidally linked wetland, the planting of native trees and routine maintenance for up to three months after the project is completed.

FISH, the SBEP and the Southwest Florida Water Management District also will assist Sarasota Bay RV Park with mitigating drainage and also filtration issues.

Leverone outlined a plan intended to allow water from retention ponds at the RV park to be flushed through the newly created wetland on the FISH property.

Allowing water from the park to run through a wetland of mangroves creates natural filtration and keeps

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program scientist Jay leverone and Florida institute for Saltwater Heritage board member Angela Collins survey a tidal marsh April 11 at the FiSH Preserve, 11655 Cortez road W., Cortez. islander

Anderson pollutant-rich water from entering the bay, according to Collins and Leverone.

Leverone said the project should be completed in June.

About FISH

FISH is a volunteer nonprofit run by a 12-member board of directors that manages several properties in Cortez, including a 95-acre preserve, a boat shop, Fishermen’s Hall and the old Cortez volunteer fire stationcommunity center.

The nonprofit formed in 1991 and is dedicated to the promotion, education and preservation of Cortez and Florida’s commercial fishing and other traditional maritime cultures.

Board elections were set to take place April 17, after the Islander went to press.

To learn more about FISH or the preserve go online to: www.cortez-fish.org.

Meetings

ANNA MARIA CITY

April 27, 6 p.m., commission.

May 11, 2 p.m., commission.

May 25, 6 p.m., commission.

By lisa Neff

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

Bradenton Beach

April 19, 10 a.m., department heads.

April 19, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.

April 20, noon, commission.

May 3, 9:30 a.m., CRA.

May 3, 1 p.m., planning and zoning.

May 4, 6 p.m., commission.

Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

Holmes Beach

April 19, 10 a.m.. sea turtle workshop.

April 25, 5 p.m., commission.

May 3, 5 p.m., planning.

May 19, 11:30 a.m., police pension fund.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

West Manatee Fire Rescue

None announced.

WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

Manatee County

April 20, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

April 24, 9 a.m., tourist development council.

April 25, 9 a.m., commission.

April 27, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

ALSO OF INTEREST

April 25, 1 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials, Bradenton Beach City Hall.