ELNOR ISLAND: RESTORATION OF A MANGROVE KEY
Contact: Bob Minning 727-343-4499
rminning@mytreasureisland.org

THE FIRST CLEANUP
On May 10, 2008, Treasure Island ’s Beach Stewardship Committee and volunteers from www.naturematters.us, the Admirial Farragut Academy and residents of Treasure Island embarked on the first step in the cleanup of a mangrove key in John’s Pass.

About 30 volunteers stood in a line for almost four hours as a daisy-chain of old lumber was passed hand-to-hand to an awaiting barge for disposal. The tides were fairly low that day and the weather not too hot. Actually, once inside the mangrove key, it's a pretty shady area and not too buggy. Lots of crabs underfoot and, of course, the perpetually soggy ground.

LOTS OF WOOD
The amount of lumber trapped in the mangroves is stunning, overwhelming and daunting. Once it gets piled up, though, it is surprising how fast even a small group of volunteers can restore an acre to its natural beauty.

The wood found on Elnor is old, perhaps washed in 25 to 30 years ago. Exposed to the elements that long, the wood weathers beautifully into a one-of-a-kind local artifact that would be a nifty decoration in your home or on your porch or deck. Florists pay a bundle for this kind of wood for their arrangements and here we have 15 acres of it, practically in our backyard. You can have whatever you collect but you have to help us clean the island in the process.

AGE BEFORE BEAUTY
The oldest volunteer is 80; the youngest, 14, proving age is no obstacle in making a green difference.

BRINGING BACK THE BIRDS
Local TI residents Bob Dowling and TI Beach Stewardship Chair Dennis Velasco made trips out to the island subsequent to the cleanup to set rat traps and rather quickly nailed a few 2-footers. Those are big rats and they're the major problem in preventing nesting birds returning to the island. Bob did mention that just a few hours after the cleanup he spotted about 20 ibis feeding in the freshly cleaned area. So, it doesn't take long for the birds to know a good restaurant when they see one. Next: convincing the birds it's a safe neighborhood to raise a family. That means trapping a lot more rats.

We assure you, we saw no live rats the day of the cleanup. As of June 4th, though, Bob has managed to trap and kill 14 rats. The next phase of the "Rat Patrol" requires professional extermination services. The City of Treasure Island is exploring the distinct possibility of using grant money available for habitat restoration.


THE SECOND CLEANUP - JUNE 28, 2008 - ELNOR'S SMILE
Elnor Island's patience is to be admired. Decades of debris rest on her feet and still she smiles. Before Saturday's clean up, Elnor hoisted a spoonbill to the top of the roost to welcome the volunteers who endured the mud and muck on her shores to help make her shine. The circling osprey kept a watchful eye over the crew as did the brown pelican that swam just beyond the shore. We are committed to "Bringing Back the Birds" to Elnor and you can help.
Nature is calling...can you hear it? It's a magical sound that can't be heard when swimming in the thoughts of every day life... it's a sense. It can't be seen in the news or on this screen... it has to be experienced. It can't be touched through the glass of a car or the window at home... it must be caressed with your feet and fondled with your hands. What is nature saying to you today, are you listening?
-- Kurt Zuelsdorf

NATURE MATTERS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
A huge round of applause and a tip of our floppy beach hat goes to Greg McIntosh and Kurt Zuelsdorf of www.naturematters.us, a non-profit organization founded by them in 2007 dedicated to keeping Florida's communities, bays, beaches and island clean and healthy. The project would not have begun with such a soaring start without them and the Nature Matters volunteers. More thanks and the Green Beyond the Call of Duty Award goes to Sid, Agnes and C.C. Rice for dock and dumpster space and the use of C.C. Rice's tugboat, The Resolute, for hauling away the debris. Special recognition for the Treasure Island Public Works Department and to all the wonderful help from volunteers that read about the project on this website and drove to Treasure Island from miles away to help out. For this, you we give our heartfelt thanks.

UPDATE - DECEMBER 2, 2008 - from Sherry McDaniel
i participated in the three Elnor Island clean-up adventures and, since that time, have been quite emotionally attached to that wonderful little sanctuary. Weather permitting I often kayak out to John's Pass and around the spoils. Last week's venture almost brought me to tears when I paddled into Elnor Island and was surrounded by numerous different species of birds. I observed flocks of different types of herons, egrets, osprey, ibis, and a roseate spoonbill graced me with a flight overhead. I did not linger as to not upset them. Our hard work has certainly been rewarded with a revitalized estuary.

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS
The Elnor Island Cleanup video can been seen on TITV615 in Treasure Island. For the rest of the world not fortunate to be in Treasure Island, click below.

NEXT ELNOR ISLAND CLEANUP
No scheduled cleanups at this time


VOLUNTEERING FOR THE NEXT CLEANUPS
Volunteers should bring their own work gloves, sunscreen and bug repellent and rubber-soled boots or shoes. Volunteers meet at 8:30am on at the Gator’s Marina docks adjacent to Kingfish Park (just past Gator’s Café & Saloon on Kingfish Drive).

City of Treasure Island barges will haul away all debris removed from the island.

Mariners who wish to provide boat shuttle service should coordinate with Bob Minning at 727-343-4499

PICTURES
Click on thumbnail to enlarge

Beach Stewardship Chair Dennis Velasco and his chair


Dennis and Commissioner Bildz and Mayor Maloof. Debris pile in background


Kurt Zuelsdorf of Nature Matters kayaked in from Gulfport


What a clean Elnor Island looks like