On January 24, 2009 Coastal Tech Staff, along with their family members and volunteers from Indian River County, completed the first workday for the Prange Islands, in accordance with Coastal Tech's adoption agreement with Indian River County. This marked the first large scale effort to repair the island since the hurricanes of 2004. The primary focus for this initial trip was to clear paths and clear the existing primitive campground from overgrowth and exotic vegetation. Remarkably, there was a minimal amount of trash that had to be removed. After a long day, these goals were achieved thanks to the help of the 27 volunteers that donated their time to this effort.
Coastal Tech has since completed seven additional work days and is planning future workdays for 2010.
During the these additional workdays:
A trail was blazed toward to the southern part of the island. The new trail was marked and native plant species were tagged. Several large new burn piles were created in the process. This trail was further extended on the most recent workday.
-
Herbicide application to exotic species of plants along trails and the north side of the island.
-
The campsite area was expanded and a fire ring created around the large burn pile in the center of the campsite.
-
The picnic area was further expanded and is now mostly cleared. Picnic tables will be installed in an upcoming workday.
-
Numerous large Australian Pine and Brazilian Pepper trees were toppled.
-
The planting area on the northern part of the island has been mostly cleared.
-
Many of the burn piles have been ignited on several of the more recent workdays and new burn piles created.
The image at the bottom right depicts the Prange Islands Conservation Area management plan. Click the image to enlarge.
Please check back for additional updates!
|
