Port Pine Heights Restoration

LANDOWNER: United State Fish and Wildlife Service: Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge

TYPE(S) OF RESTORATION: Invasive exotic removal, freshwater wetland restoration.

Prior to restoration, this area was a series of 6 dredged canals and paved roads in a vacant section of subdivision. The area was heavily vegetated with invasive exotic species. The canal dredging had resulted in a lowering of the freshwater table, and surrounding freshwater-dependent vegetation was being replaced with more salt-tolerant species.

Restoration consisted of invasive exotic removal, removal of the road beds, and filling of the dredged canals. Once the canals were filled, a series of shallow fresh water ponds with occasional deeper holes were created to mimic the historic habitat. The water table has recovered and freshwater-dependent species are again thriving. The freshwater ponds are frequently used by endangered Key Deer and American alligator as well as birds and over-wintering ducks.

FUNDING PARTNERS: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Monroe County School Board, South Florida Water Management District.