March 2023 Project Status Report

Department of Environmental Resources Management

Sawfish Island Restoration Project: The project, located in the Loxahatchee River-Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve in Jupiter across from Sawfish Park, is close to completion The completed project will include picnic tables and two coves connected by a paddling trail, accessible by kayak or paddleboard, for the public to enjoy. The project also includes the removal of 2 5 acres of non-native, invasive vegetation and the restoration of over 6 acres of mangrove and hardwood hammock habitats The additional wetlands and uplands will provide habitats for fish, birds, and wildlife, as well as recreational opportunities for the public. The project is the result of a partnership between the Florida Inland Navigation District, Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Palm Beach County

Prescribed Burns: ERM’s Burn Crew successfully burned 248 acres of pine flatwoods habitat over two days in Pine Glades Natural Area The goals of the prescribed burns are ecological management and reduction of invasive hardwood species Over the past two years, land managers completed pine thinning and fuel reduction projects in this area, and the addition of prescribed fire has further enhanced the restoration progress Overall, all prescribed burn goals and objectives were met PRESCRIBED BURN

Dune Planting Project: Palm Beach County ERM partnered with Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, Loggerhead Marine Life Center, and The Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) on a beach and dune planting project at the boundary between Loggerhead Beach Park and Juno Dunes Natural Area. Staff and volunteers participated in planting a number of dune species: yellow joyweed, seaside joyweed, beach ragweed, beach creeper, beach morning glory, inkberry, baycedar, sea lavender, and sea oats. IRC provided the plants, equipment, and expertise needed to make this project a success. The plantings will add to the biological diversity and erosion protection of our coastal dune ecosystem

Sea Turtle Nesting Season: March 1st marked the beginning of the annual sea turtle nesting season in southeastern Florida This year, the first nest in the entire state was discovered on February 16th in Palm Beach County! ERM’s Listed Species Program has begun conducting nighttime lighting surveys throughout all opt-in municipalities across the County to proactively work with beachfront properties and ensure all are in compliance with coastal lighting regulations

First 2023 Sea Turtle Nest In Pbc

Weeding For The Birds

Artificial Reefs Fieldwork: With artificial reefs slated to go in the water offshore of Delray Beach, Palm Beach, Juno Beach, and potentially Jupiter this summer, there’s no shortage of underwater fieldwork to be done ERM staff have been hard at work completing benthic resource surveys since January While the purpose of these dives is to scout out open, sandy sites for artificial reef projects, divers have been surfacing with much more than photos of sandy bottom, soft corals, or seagrass Over the last few months, ERM divers have encountered a great hammerhead shark, red grouper, several bull sharks, a flying gurnard, and an unidentified siphonophore!

Grouper

Weeding for the Birds: ERM staff and volunteers have been busy removing trash and vegetation from all five of the Lake Worth Lagoon bird nesting areas to ensure open sandy nesting habitat is available for our three local species of threatened shorebirds: American Oystercatchers, Least Terns, and Black Skimmers The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has posted signs around the islands to notify recreational users that the islands are closed to the public during shorebird nesting season.

Mission Grass Survey: For this year’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week, the Treasure Coast and Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) joined forces for the 2nd Joint CISMA mission grass (Cenchrus polystachios) survey in Palm Beach County. This non-native, invasive grass has the potential to outcompete native grasses and expand rapidly The survey revealed that mission grass has only expanded slightly since 2018 and not as aggressively as feared Although this news is positive, it serves as a reminder that timely response to infestations, continuous rotation of treatments, and prudent decontamination practices are integral to achieving containment and inhibiting this species’ ability to spread

Adventure Awaits: Register NOW for a FREE event at PBCERM.EVENTBRITE.COM!

Upcoming Erm Events

• April 14: SUNSET AT THE ROOST at Pine Glades

• April 16: FIVE MILE TRAIL RUN at Royal Palm Beach Pines

• April 22: BIRDING W/O BINOX at Pondhawk

• April 25: MORNING PADDLE at Winding Waters

• April 26: BIO-BLITZ at Juno Dunes

• April 29: BUTTERFLY HIKE at High Ridge Scrub

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners

Palm Beach International Airport Traffic Report

for the period ended February 2023

(1) Estimated Seat Capacity; Adjusted Innovata/OAG Scheduled seats, actual capacity may vary

(2) Percentage Change in load factor is stated in absolute difference (3) Freight plus mail in US Tons (4) Landings plus Takeoffs, includes cargo carriers