Blog #3 Turkey Creek Sanctuary

Today my son, Kevin, and I explored the Turkey Creek Sanctuary.  Turkey Creek is located in Palm Bay, Florida, on the east coast.  It is a freshwater creek that is in the watershed for the St. John's River, and a major tributory of the Indian River Lagoon.  There is a lovely little Nature Center, staffed by both City Park Rangers and volunteers.  While talking with the staff, I found out that the Ranger working knew all about Colloquium because his daughter graduated from FGCU!  Small world!

This santuary, although fairly small, has a variety of ecosystems.  The sand pine ridge is a scrub area located above Turkey Creek.  There are sand pines and other desert adapted plants.   The soil is sugary sand, and lacks many nutrients.  Vegetation is sparse.  Rain water drains from this type of soil rapidly.  This area provides a habitat for Indigo snakes, rattlesnakes, gopher tortoise, box turtles, spotted skunk, racoon, opossum and the endangered Florida mouse.

The Transition zone is a narrow zone where the sand pine scrub and wet hammock merge. 

The Wet Hammock is on the banks of the creek.  This is a mature forest known as the 'hydric' or wet hammock.  Beneath the wet hammock is geoloical rock call the 'Anastasia Formation'.  There is a bed of fossil bones over 250,000 years old on this limestone rock.  There are canopy trees such as the live and laurel oaks, red maple, sugarberry and sabal palm.  There are also holly and swamp dogwood.  There are different types of moss hanging from these trees.  Animals include the river otter, water turtles, alligator, manatee, frogs, lizards and water snakes.  Many species of fish are found, as well as blue crab.  Birds are plentiful, including the white pelican.

The actual creek is a "black water creek" whose dark color results from the leaching of tannic acid as leaves decompose.

The 'ecosystem services' that are provided by Turkey Creek Sanctuary are, most importantly, drinking water.  Some of Palm Bay's well fields, that provide drinking water, are located in this area.  The sanctuary also provides space for native plants to flourish, and for endangered indiginous animals to live. 

Stewardship is the planning and supervision of something entrusted to you.  Conservation is a preservation or restoration from loss, damage or neglect.  The Friends of Turkey Creek are involved in both stewardship and conservation of the creek.  They are an organized, non-profit group of concerned individuals who hold regular meetings to plan and discuss the on-going conservation of Turkey Creek.  They have been insturmental in helping to preserve Turkey Creek, while keeping it open for the enjoyment of the public.  They work with the city, county and state government, as well as other not for profit groups to promote the positive balance between city growth and the preservation of the natural resources and beauty of Turkey Creek.  Currently, state representatives, as well as city government officials, are working on a dredging project.  This project will clear out sediment that has made navigation by both manatee and boats difficult.

The Friends of Turkey Creek is a perfect example of how like minded people can affect change.  This group was formed by citizens who lived on and around Turkey Creek.  They wanted to improve and preserve the creek for the enjoyment of all.  Several residents realized that the ongoing buildup of sediment, even after dredging, was blocking the creek.  This not only caused problems for boaters, but also for manatee and fish.  They were able to negotiate an on-going process to keep the creek clear of sediment that clogged the free flow of water. They have been very successful in being more than, 'complaining land owners'.  They have worked since 1972 with the local, state, and federal government.  A quote from an article about the group states:

"The FOTC illustrates how a small, grassroots group can effect a major impact on environmental initiatives. Led by a six-member advisory board, the group has persuaded Palm Bay city officials, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, State Rep. Mitch Needelman and Congressman Dave Weldon to support the planning and funding of projects aimed at improving navigation and water quality in Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon."
http://www.foturkeycreek.org/id72.html

I was so impressed to see how such a beautiful and wild place is, literally, in the middle of a large incorporated area.  The public library boarders the sanctuary, as well as housing developments.  Yet, while walking on the board walk and the shady trails, I heard nothing but birds, and saw only beautiful natural Florida!  To lose areas like these will eventually lead to the destruction of natural vegetation, the extinction of indiginous animals, and the contamination of our waterways and drinking water.