Daytona Beach & Space Coast

Daytona Beach and the Space Coast (Volusia, Flagler, and Brevard counties)

Volusia County Conservation (Daytona Beach, Deltona, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, DeLand)

Coastal and Marine Conservation

Land and Wetland Conservation

Cities Involved: DeLand, Deltona, Ormond Beach.
Key Areas:
- Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge (DeLand): Protects freshwater marshes and hardwood swamps, providing critical habitats for migratory birds and reptiles.
- Spruce Creek Preserve (Port Orange): Includes 1,600 acres of wetlands and uplands to conserve biodiversity and improve water filtration.

Urban Green Spaces

Cities Involved: DeLand, Deltona, Ormond Beach.
Initiatives focus on expanding urban tree canopies and preserving native habitats in city parks such as:
- Gemini Springs Park (DeBary): A protected area with natural springs and trails.
- Lyonia Preserve (Deltona): Dedicated to restoring scrub habitat for Florida scrub-jays, a threatened species.

Flagler County Conservation (Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell)

Coastal and Marine Conservation

Cities Involved: Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell.
Key Efforts:
- Beach Renourishment: Ongoing projects to combat erosion and protect dunes along Flagler Beach.
- Sea Turtle Conservation: Monitoring and protecting nests for loggerhead and green turtles on Flagler County beaches.
- Estuarine Restoration: Efforts in the Matanzas River Estuary, including mangrove and oyster reef restoration, aim to improve water quality and enhance marine habitats.

Land Conservation

Cities Involved: Palm Coast, Bunnell.
Key Areas:
- Princess Place Preserve (Palm Coast): A 1,500-acre conservation area preserving salt marshes, hardwood forests, and historic structures.
- Graham Swamp Preserve (Palm Coast): Protects freshwater wetlands and provides hiking and biking trails.
- Haw Creek Preserve (Bunnell): Conserves floodplain ecosystems and critical habitats for black bears and wading birds.

Urban Conservation

The city of Palm Coast emphasizes sustainable urban planning, tree preservation, and stormwater management to mitigate impacts of development.

Brevard County Conservation (Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville, Palm Bay, Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral)

Coastal and Marine Conservation

Cities Involved: Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Titusville, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Cape Canaveral.
Key Efforts:
- Indian River Lagoon Program:
  - A collaborative initiative to restore the health of the lagoon, which spans Brevard County.
  - Efforts focus on reducing pollution, restoring seagrass beds, and improving stormwater management.
- Canaveral National Seashore (Titusville):
  - Protects undeveloped barrier islands, beaches, and lagoons.
  - Critical for sea turtle nesting and migratory bird habitats.
- Sebastian Inlet State Park (Palm Bay): Restores dune systems and protects nearshore reefs vital for marine life.

Land and Wildlife Conservation

Cities Involved: Titusville, Cocoa, Merritt Island.
Key Areas:
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge:
  - A cornerstone of conservation in the region, this refuge spans 140,000 acres of wetlands, scrub habitats, and coastal areas.
  - Provides essential habitats for manatees, bald eagles, and migratory birds.
- Enchanted Forest Sanctuary (Titusville): Preserves scrub and oak hammock habitats for the threatened gopher tortoise and other species.

Urban and Suburban Conservation

Cities Involved: Melbourne, Cocoa, Palm Bay.
Key Initiatives:
- Melbourne and Palm Bay promote urban tree-planting programs to increase green space and improve air quality.
- The Cocoa Riverfront Park focuses on preserving natural shorelines and providing public access to the Indian River Lagoon.

Regional Conservation Efforts Across Volusia, Flagler, and Brevard Counties

Indian River Lagoon Restoration

All three counties are part of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, which aims to:
- Restore water quality and seagrass coverage.
- Mitigate algal blooms caused by nutrient pollution.
- Protect species like manatees and dolphins that rely on the lagoon.

Wildlife Corridors and Connectivity

Florida Wildlife Corridor:
- Ensures connectivity between preserved lands, such as Merritt Island NWR, Princess Place Preserve, and Lake Woodruff NWR.
- Provides critical movement corridors for black bears, bobcats, and migratory birds.

Sea Turtle Conservation

Coastal cities in all three counties, including Daytona Beach, Flagler Beach, and Cape Canaveral, play vital roles in protecting nesting sites.

Climate Change and Resilience

Preparing for sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, and increased storm activity is a priority across all counties.
Brevard County leads in implementing living shorelines and mangrove restoration to mitigate erosion.

Invasive Species Control

Targeting invasive plants like Brazilian pepper and aquatic species such as tilapia in wetlands and estuaries.

Community Involvement and Organizations

Key Organizations:

Marine Resources Council: Focuses on Indian River Lagoon restoration.
Save the Manatee Club: Advocates for manatee conservation across all three counties.
Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division: Protects land, water, and species through education and restoration projects.
Flagler County Land Management: Oversees conservation and recreational use of natural areas.
Brevard Zoo’s Restore Our Shores Program: Leads oyster reef building, mangrove planting, and shoreline stabilization projects in the Indian River Lagoon.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Beach cleanups in New Smyrna Beach, Flagler Beach, and Melbourne Beach.
Seagrass and water quality monitoring programs through the Indian River Lagoon Program.
Invasive species removal events at local preserves and parks.

Challenges and Future Goals

Water Quality:
- Reducing pollution and restoring wetlands to address water quality issues in the Indian River Lagoon and other waterways.
Urban Growth:
- Managing development in cities like Palm Coast, Melbourne, and Daytona Beach to prevent habitat loss.
Sea Level Rise:
- Enhancing coastal resilience through dune restoration and living shorelines.
Wildlife Protection:
- Expanding protected habitats for species like Florida scrub-jays, manatees, and sea turtles.