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BEFORE BUILDING
Native
Seagrape in
season,
photographed on our islands |
Among the
reasons you
bought in
this natural
island
paradise are
the beauty
of the
natural
vegetation
and the
wonderful
wildlife
that shares
its habitat
with us all.
With just a
little
thought and
care, a
great deal
of that
vegetation
and habitat
can be
saved,
protected,
relocated if
necessary,
to
everybody’s
advantage. |
Transplanting is
a great idea!
Precious native
vegetation, like
Sabal palms, can
be moved on your
own lot to a
“buffer zone.”
And if your lot
can’t
accommodate the
move, or if you
choose not to,
WHPP can
find “adoptive
homesites” eager
and willing to.
Truth be known,
moving a tree a
few feet or to
another lot
actually costs
less than
tearing it down
and getting rid
of it. And
replacing one
tree can cost a
thousand
dollars.
So, before you
level the land
and tear down
the trees,
tell your
contractor you
want to protect
and save
vegetation and
habitat.
Please take a
few simple,
environmentally
responsible
steps:
1. INVENTORY.
Find out what’s
on your lot ...
what should and
could be
preserved …what
has to be
removed.
WHPP
can help.
2. SET
BUFFER ZONES.
Set aside as
much perimeter
green space area
as you can. It
conserves water
and energy,
creates
corridors for
wildlife,
filters
nutrients from
runoff, and
provides privacy
for you. Leave
natural
vegetation along
the shoreline
alone. This
stabilizes our
island shores
and helps keep
the water clean
and vital.
WHPP
can help.
3. CLEAR
RESPONSIBLY.
(There are
clearer/landscapers
who know how.)
Native trees can
be removed in
minutes, but
require a
lifetime to
replace. When
possible, wait.
Remove invasive
and noxious
species, like
Brazilian
Peppers and
Australian
Pines, first.
WHPP
can help.
REMEMBER WHPP
WILL HELP!
We’ll help with
lot preparation
guidelines (like
teaching you and
your contractors
about how to
gauge and mark
tree sites for
preservation).
Also,
inventorying,
relocation of
trees and
habitat
awareness.
Some Additional
Thoughts and
Reminders...
Before
you mess with
the mangroves...
Black, red and white mangroves are part of the foundation of
our islands.
They prevent shoreline erosion. They provide food and habitat
for the marine
food chain,
including our
feathered
friends and the
fish you catch.
They filter
runoff from our
lots … improve
quality of the
waters … and
help protect our
homes from
severe wind
damage.
Before you cut or trim mangroves, note that there are State
and County
restrictions,
and in some
cases, permits
will be
required.
Check out
www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/mangroves/mangrove.htm
How about
creating an
environmentally
friendly boat
dock?
Did you know you could? And it may enhance your property
values … be
longer lasting …
and best of all,
help you protect
the waters your
family enjoys!
THE PROBLEM:
The most common
dock pilings are
constructed of
marine treated
lumber (pressure
treated wood).
This wood is
impregnated with
a mixture of
copper, chromium
and arsenic (CCA)—heavy
metals toxic to
many forms of
marine life, and
contaminating to
the aquatic food
web.
THE
ALTERNATIVES:
To decrease
pollution
sources,
consider using
alternative
materials, such
as concrete,
plastic and
recycled
plastic.
Compared to
marine treated
lumber, these
materials have
relatively low
toxicity and
last longer. And
plastic has the
added advantages
of encouraging
the use of
recycled
material and
reducing the
waste stream.
Another method
is to use an
impermeable,
flexible PVC
sleeve around
existing
pilings. These
should extend
from 6” below
the “mud line”
to several
inches above the
seasonal high
water line.
CHOOSING A
DECK:
Decks can be
constructed of
plastic,
fiberglass grid
or mesh, and
even concrete.
All have their
advantages.
Plastic decking
needs no
maintenance and
lasts much
longer than
wood. It does
need appropriate
treads to avoid
a slip or fall.
Fiberglass
grid or mesh
material allows
light
penetration
through the
deck, thereby
encouraging
growth of
seagrasses.
Concrete
floating docks
are long
lasting,
virtually
maintenance
free, and
encourage growth
of important
marine
organisms.
Another
enhancement
is to elevate
the access piers
five feet above
the mean high
water line—to
allow more light
to the habitats
below.
For more information, call The Florida Department of
Environmental
Protection /
Environmental
Resource
Permitting
Section in Punta
Gorda at
941.575.5814.
WHPP Partners in
Preservation
To date, fourteen companies who work on our islands share our
goals and are
committed to
join WHPP as
Partners in
Preservation.
They are as
follows:
Barbara Dumdie & Associates,
Island Horticulture,
Islander Builder
Company,
Islander
Properties, Jay
M Julian, Mackin
Realty,
Magnum Development,
Mary Tracy
Design,
No Excuses
Landscaping,
Palm Breeze Landscaping LLC,
Palm Island
Investment Corp,
Palm Island
Properties,
Russell Design
Associates,
and
Southern Design
Builders
Call us if you'd
like
Like we said, whether you’re in the middle of building, in
the planning
stages, or have
been a resident
for awhile, we
hope you will
take the time to
give us a call
with your
questions, ask
for information,
or just share
your thoughts.
Bob & Merrill Horswill 697-7082
Kjell Plotkin
697-5252
Sarah Fahlmark
697-7844
Carol Peterson
828-2616
Dan Kett
697-3735
IF YOU'D LIKE
TO BE A
"PARTNER" OR ONE
OF OUR ADOPTIVE
HOMESITES,
PLEASE CALL US!
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