Volunteers clean up Calusa Land Trust’s newest preserve
Saturday morning a half-dozen volunteers assembled at the Calusa Land Trust’s newly acquired Wigert/Barron Preserve at the corner of Barrancus and Aura Lane in Bokeelia to begin the cleanup on this 33 acre preserve.
“This is actually a new archeological district named “Calusa Island Barrancas Archeological District,” Chief Ranger Ed Chapin said. “This district includes Calusa Island, an original 11 acres and the 22 acres donated by Mr. and Mrs. Weigert. What makes this ‘Calusa’ is the shell mounds that were on all three properties. We think one of them has been destroyed.”
The Calusa land Trust’s primary mission is to “protect the natural diversity and beauty of the Pine Island region by acquiring, managing and preserving in perpetuity environmentally sensitive or historically important land and to foster appreciation for and understanding of the environment and our past.”
The Land Trust is a broad coalition of individuals, families, and businesses who believe that the acquisition and protection of natural land is important if we are to retain the quality of life which makes the Pine Island region so attractive to people and to wildlife. The Land Trust is supported entirely by people who donate their time, talent, and financial support to protect irreplaceable natural resources.
The Wigert-Barron Preserve is at Barrancas Avenue and Aura Lane in Bokeelia and has several vegetation types. Initially you walk through a relatively open but patchy coastal sand scrub habitat with several species of scrub oak (Quercus spp) and cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto) but as you continue on north towards Jug Creek there is a dense canopy of invasive Australian pine (Casuarina spp). Under this shady spot are clusters of Rivina humilis L., which is popularly known as Rouge Plant, Bloodberry or Pigeon Berry.
About one-half of the parcel consists of healthy mangroves with another 16 acres of rare coastal transition zone habitat (with a true colony of gopher tortoises); virtually all of this type of land has already been destroyed in south Florida.
“We’re just doing the smaller stuff today, opening up this area and putting signs up,” Chapin said. “We hope to have someone come in and make mulch out of 8 or 9 acres in the fall.”
Work parties are scheduled periodically and are mainly centered around removing invasive plants. If you are able to join the group, suitable clothing for rough terrain and hydrating beverages are recommended. For more information call Ed Chapin at 281-7531.