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Projects

WE ARE RESTORING FLORIDA, ONE BLADE OF GRASS AT A TIME

Save Crystal River partners with aquatic restoration experts, Sea & Shoreline to remove Lyngbya and detrital materials in Crystal River, starting with the successful pioneering Kings Bay Restoration Project.

CLEAN

Before the ecosystem can be restored, decades of decay and muck must be removed.  Biologists remove the grime and clean down to the sand, removing nitrogen and phosphorous, which opens spring vents and creates a happy environment for planting seagrass.

PLANT

Once the sandy bottom is cleared, varieties of seagrass including “Rockstar” and “Salty Dog” are planted, with protective cages to help them grow and flourish. This new seagrass is the primary food source for manatees and other sea life as well as a habitat for many fish, crabs and invertebrates.

PROTECT

Planting is not the finish line, but rather a starting point. Biologists return regularly to clean the cages and ensure the grass is growing.  The canals are monitored and maintenance is performed on all the enclosed and exposed seagrass (or as it is scientifically referred to, “Submerged Aquatic Vegetation- SAV”)

CRYSTAL CLEAR RESULTS

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New spring vents opened

and flowing

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Acres of canals cleaned (roughly 22 football fields!)

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“Rockstar” and “Salty Dog” native grasses planted

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Of phosphorous removed through specialized filtration

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Million LBS of Lyngbya removed