Salt Ponds getting back to nature

Restoration includes replanting natural species

By Alyson Matley amatley@keynoter.com

A soft breeze whispers over the surface of the water, distracting a blue heron intent on finding dinner. A shoal of tiny fish sees the bird’s shadow and moves away in a panicked wave. Strands of turtle grass poke up through the shallow surface along the edge of the pond. Where the water grows deeper it reflects a cobalt sky and an errant strand of cloud.

This peaceful tableau could be any hidden corner of the Everglades or some backcountry island, but this particular scene occurs every day right in the heart of Key West.

And the city, with the help of volunteers and The Nature Conservancy, are working to make ensure the magic of the Salt Ponds will be here for our children’s children.

"The original part of the restoration was taking out the Australian pines," said Alison Higgins, land stewardship coordinator for The Nature Conservancy. Higgins spoke with the local chapter of Audubon this week, presenting her update on the restoration of this jewel of the island.

The pines, classified as invasive exotics by the state, tend to force out natural species of plants. Their removal will allow the resurrection of native species in the area which will, in turn, support native wildlife, according to Higgins.

The second part of the restoration, revegetation, is centered in Little Hamaca Park, and the land that lies between the park and Key West International Airport. The Conservancy has removed unwanted fill in some of the scarified area, and is working to get the ground back to natural levels.

"We took out the trash and rubble," said Higgins, "directly behind the wetlands. Then we will reslope it and make it a natural transition, scraping away to a natural wetland level."

One of the more exciting aspects of the restoration, says Higgins, is the planting on the upland area.

White crowned pigeons may look abundant in the Key West skies, but they are classified as threatened. The tropical species has been hunted in the Caribbean. They nest only in specific areas of South Florida.

Working with biologist Tom Wilmers from the Keys’ National Wildlife Refuges, the group working on the Salt Ponds decided to provide a natural place for the pigeons.

"We’re planting specifically for the threatened bird," said Higgins. "One of the reasons the species is so important is that it eats 80 percent of hammock fruits. It is a huge disperser of all our native plants. In fact, it may have brought the tropical plants from the Caribbean to the Keys."

One of the bird’s favorite fruits grows on the poisonwood tree. "When the tree is in fruit, there is just the right combination of fats and sugars and the birds can sustain twice as many chicks."

The aptly named tree, however, is somewhat dangerous for human visitors to the area. So, says Higgins, the trees will likely be clumped in the back of the land and be clearly marked.

Restoration includes a row of native short leaf figs and stranger figs planted along Government Road.

"When these guys grow up," said Higgins, "they’ll have a 30- to 40-foot crown to shade the road."

The Nature Conservancy is not focusing any efforts at the end of the runway, where airport officials may eventually plan to extend the tarmac.

"The area they want to extend into doesn’t need restoration," said Higgins. "It’s pristine. That’s the problem with expansion."

She says that, overall, the Salt Ponds are in extremely good shape. "They just need to be enjoyed passively," she said. "The main thing we need to do is get rid of the threat of invasives. Usually the native seed bank is there and can take care of itself."

Higgins says that the parcel outside of Little Hamaca is not officially part of the park, but it is public land. This week the area was officially dedicated as the Fran Ford White Crowned Pigeon Preserve in honor of the driving force in preserving the natural areas in Key West.