Project Page

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. Specifically, this project will: ? 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. ? Possibly establish wildlife viewing areas at the edge of major bird colonies. ? 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. ? Establish law enforcement patrols to monitor and control speeding vehicles and reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife. ? Implement predator management techniques such as perch deterrents and enclosures around bird and turtle nests. ? 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
Project Partners

None

Affiliated Institutions

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/

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