Beach and Dune Habitat Protection at Gulf Islands National Seashore
Implementing Organization
US Department of the Interior
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$853,821
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA)
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
Targeted Resources
Other
Project Description
The project will protect beach-dune habitat and associated wildlife in the Perdido Key, Fort Pickens, and Santa Rosa areas at Gulf Islands National Seashore from three different threats: 1) humans impacts, 2) predators, and 3) vehicle collisions on paved roads. The project will last for three years. Specifically, this project will: 1) identify and, with symbolic fencing (i.e., post and rope fences), temporarily close sensitive areas to protect habitat, wildlife, and bird nests, and also prevent dune trampling; 2) if feasible, establish wildlife viewing areas at the edge of major bird colonies; 3) educate visitors on habitats and wildlife (including breeding birds) with public outreach materials such as score cards of hatches and mortality provided at the entrance stations; 4) establish law enforcement patrols to monitor and control speeding vehicles and reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife; 5) implement predator management techniques such as perch deterrents and enclosures around bird and turtle nests; and 6) monitor and survey animal and bird burrows, nests, and colonies for predator activity and human encroachment and measure nesting and hatch rates (for birds). This information will provide insights into causes of mortality and allow for adaptive management throughout the project by identifying the most effective closure areas and protection methods.
Contact
Mark VanMouwerik(970) 225-3507
mark_vanmouwerik@nps.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/