When scallop season rolls around residents and visitors flock to popular scalloping destinations such as Crystal River and St. Marks in Florida. Where does seagrass come into the picture? Seagrass communities are among the most productive ecosystems in the world and Gulf scallops depend on healthy seagrass beds throughout their entire lifecycle. Scallop larvae attach to the base of seagrass blades where they become scallop spat. Once large enough, the juvenile scallops drop off the seagrass blades and live within the seagrass community for the rest of their lives.

Seagrasses are critical to a healthy estuarine ecosystem where hundreds of marine species, including favorite menu items such as fish, lobster, crabs and shrimp, spend part of their lives. Larger animals such as manatees, turtles, sharks and rays forage in the grasses and a variety of wading birds, including herons and roseate spoonbills feed amongst the grass flats.

In addition to supporting marine life, Florida’s 2.6 million acres of seagrass beds also support a multi-million dollar commercial and recreational fin- and shellfish industry. Healthy marine ecosystems also contribute to a healthy tourism industry as recreational divers, snorkelers and fishing enthusiasts come from around the world to visit underwater Florida.

EAST POINT - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) through its Coastal Training Program of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) and the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) have partnered with the Apalachicola Riverkeeper and Franklin County Schools to restore Indian Creek Park as a Living Shoreline. Living shorelines are an environmentally friendly technique to restore coastal habitats and resolve shoreline erosion problems.

It flew right past my kitchen window. Its bright red flash caught my eye. I caught my breath, it was so big. Then it landed on a tree on the edge of a patch of undisturbed woods that I had left standing when I built my house. It began to search for dinner. The tree had been searched before, as most of the bark was missing. “Come quickly”! I called my family, not too loudly in case it should hear me through the glass. They came, also searching for dinner, but finding instead a glossy black and white striped woodpecker with a fierce red mohawk on its head. “What is it?” they asked. “I don’t know” I replied, ”but look at it.”. We watched as it hopped to another tree and back, and then took off banking its huge-ness around the corner of the house to the sky.

A day or two later I was still thinking about the bird that took my breath away. I’m not a birder and so that sense of awe had never happened to me before. I’m more of an oh-look-up-in-the-sky-it’s-a-bird, so- ok-now-what type. But I was mystified, so I googled.

Money Bayou is in the money. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas received an $831,089 grant to fund management, restoration, and visitor amenities at the bayou. Goals of the project include, “removal of hurricane debris from the site, establishing a marsh overlook and bird observation site, installing displays to increase public awareness and appreciation, and the construction of an historical marker to commemorate the site’s African-American history” reported an FDEP newsletter called The Post. (1-15-10).

The 5^th annual Apalachicola Bay Derelict Crab Trap Cleanup, an Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) organized event that is approved by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), was held Tuesday, January 12, 2010. This year the event was held during the new ten day blue crab season closure, so that any traps found in the bay could be removed as derelict or abandoned. The cleanup in Apalachicola Bay brings in the most traps of any cleanup in the state of Florida. Volunteers removed 209 derelict traps, bringing the five year total to 1445 traps.

Pensacola: Population: 56,000 (2003). Pensacola is the County Seat of Escambia County and is located 50 miles west of Mobile, Alabama. Pensacola hosts a regional airport, a port facility and is a regional natural gas provider.  This community's strong commitment to history and its waterfronts led to its nickname "America's first settlement".

Panama City:  Population: 37,000 (2005). Panama City is the County seat of Bay County and is located on Florida's panhandle on St. Andrews Bay.  This community enjoys a pleasant climate, attractive housing opportunities, good fishing, water sports, arts, and entertainment.   Its small town atmosphere makes it ideal for raising a family and a popular tourist destination.

Apalachicola: Population:  2,340 (2005). Apalachicola is the County Seat of Franklin County.  Located 80 miles southwest of Tallahassee, this small town sits on Apalachicola Bay at the mouth of the Apalachicola River.  The name "Apalachicola" was bestowed upon this community by the Apalachicola tribe.   More than 90% of Florida's oyster production is harvested from Apalachicola Bay - making it the perfect location and host of its annual Florida Seafood Festival.

Panacea: "Natural coastal beauty at its finest."   Located in Wakulla County, in the Tallahassee metropolitan area, Panacea was named after local springs that were believed to have healing properties.  The elevation of Panacea is 7 feet.

Crawfordville: Crawfordville is the County seat of Wakulla County and is known for its excellent seafood and recreational opportunities.  This small Gulf-coast town is the only Florida community that has preserved its original wooden courthouse.