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Years ago, nothing existed on the sensitive wetlands between Naples and Marco Island that nature didn’t put there. With access limited to an occasional canoeist or hiker, what is now Rookery Bay was a pristine mangrove ecosystem.

In 1964, a highway was proposed to more directly link the two towns, dubbed by critics, “the road to nowhere.” And the scene was set for a showdown between progress and conservation.

Today, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is part of a federal network of 27 protected areas around the nation’s coasts, established for long-term research, monitoring and coastal stewardship.

As one of the nation’s premier research and educational facilities for coastline ecology, now celebrating its 30th year, the wealth and scope of Rookery Bay’s activities is unmatched in the region.

History

Citizens concerned for the natural resources in the region, arose in protest, collecting 1,000 signatures in two days on a petition to oppose the development of the highway. In 1966, a group of dedicated Neapolitans raised $400,000 in less than a year to buy 26,000 acres in the area, which was deeded to the National Audubon Society.

They formed The Collier County Conservancy and established a Rookery Bay Sanctuary, with cooperation from the state. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the group acquired more land by purchase and gifts from the Collier family. The Nature Conservancy, a national organization, helped arrange funding.

National support for the cause grew, and in 1971 another $800,000 was raised to protect the entire perimeter of the bay. By 1972, the federal Coastal Zone Management Act set the stage for creation of a national network to communicate more effectively and tap federal resources available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other agencies. At that time, Tampa’s fisheries had nearly collapsed, as the result of runaway development and poor conservation.

In 1976, The Conservancy went to court to block a 3,200-acre Deltona development south of the bay. Then, they petitioned the federal government to include their collective holdings in the new program. In 1978, Rookery Bay was born, which today manages 110,000 acres of wetlands in Southwest Florida.

A sustained pattern of growth at Rookery Bay during the years has witnessed not only a huge increase in land acquisition and management, but also a proliferation of programs that address vital environmental concerns. From basic scientific research to public education, The Reserve stands in the forefront of efforts to find solutions to problems like conserving resources in the face of unremitting population growth and global warming.

Research and training

“One of the critical roles we play as a national reserve is to be a source of accurate, informed, objective information going out to the people that is very important on the issue of climate change,” says Rookery Bay Environmental Administrator Gary Lytton.

Some of the ways that Rookery Bay puts its philosophy into action are hosting event at the Environmental Learning Center as well as leading field trips for students and teachers and holding training workshops for leaders and professional decision-makers.

One such event is the 12th Annual National Estuaries Day, to be held this Saturday. As part of the celebration, Bernie Yokel, a key figure in the Reserve’s history, will receive a Coastal Stewardship Award.

Another is The Coastal Training Program, which originated at Rookery Bay. It targets professions that have a significant impact on the environment. The first program, which packed an auditorium of 150, gave instruction in English and Spanish to landscape professionals, whose use of fertilizer and pesticides is very important to the local ecology.

Its enormous success was due not only to the group’s willingness to learn, but the fact that more conservative techniques save money for the businesses, because they use less of the expensive chemicals. This program is serving as a model for two other Reserves in St. Augustine and Apalachicola.

Eco-tour operators have been receptive to the training as well, and now also serve in a partnership with Rookery Bay to spread important knowledge to tens of thousands of people. Upcoming training programs will be presented to golf course professionals, land use planners and water management officials. Rookery Bay’s goal is to “train the trainers,” as Lytton puts it, so that this important educational resource is available everywhere.

Friends of Rookery Bay

The Friends of Rookery Bay was established in 1987 as a volunteer citizen support organization. It helps the Reserve spread its message in the community and provides assistance with the Environmental Learning Center, from maintaining inventory for the Palmetto Patch Nature Store to hosting fundraisers and other events.

The center hosts interactive exhibits that focus on the plants, animals and cultural resources of the Reserve. A two-story exhibit hall features daily programs, as well as aquariums, a nature store, art gallery, butterfly garden and self-guided plant trail to help visitors explore, enjoy and help protect our estuaries and coastal habitat.

Activities include Munchin’ in the Mangroves, Native Plant Walk and Talk, Skulls and Bones and Slithering Snakes, offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, through October. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 ages 6 to 12, and free for members and children under 6. Group rates and special tours are available.

Monthly Brown Bag Lunch lectures on the first Wednesday of the month and Amazing Adventures, on the first Friday, cover a variety of topics. Wildlife-related art exhibits and events, historic walks, nature trails and outdoor excursions, such as kayaking and nature talks, are all part of an ongoing schedule that brings people closer to nature, while they learn about its relevance to our daily lives.

Stewardship

Lytton believes “people are starting to connect the dots with regard to the economy, human health issues and the environment. Increased awareness is one thing, but does that awareness lead to changes in behavior and lifestyle?” In his view, “As a natural research reserve, it’s our mission to promote informed decisions about the coast and estuaries.”

As for the idea of coastal management, he states, “It’s all about a balancing act between the needs and uses of people who live along the coast and the needs and uses of natural wildlife. It’s important that we use the latest technology available, so that we don’t repeat mistakes of the past.” For example, some of the permanent jetties and seawalls that have been built over the years interfere with natural processes.

Red tide and global warming

Red tide has a negative economic impact and poses a public health hazard. Research indicates that storm water runoff and fertilizer from land use along the coast intensifies its effects. NOAA tracks red tide using satellite images that are analyzed and relayed to beach sentinels along the coast, including Collier County. The information is available to the public at coolgate.mote.org/beachconditions, where people can check the conditions of a specific beach in real time. They can even sign up to have a report sent to them automatically, via e-mail.

Southwest Florida is one of the country’s highest risk areas for sea level rise as a result of global warming. To that end, energy audits are being discussed for Naples and Collier County to reduce the amount of fossil fuels that are being used. With NOAA’s help, Rookery Bay is part of an effort to develop graphical models of sea rise for local governments to use in their planning efforts to retreat from the sea.

At the state level, Lytton says, “The good news is that Governor Crist has shown strong leadership on the issue of climate change.” That includes the creation of a Climate Action Team to analyze scientific data and coordinate strategies statewide.

Conservation goals

Lytton says, “I think leadership plays a very important role. You have to try to sustain the political will to keep some of the massive restoration efforts, like those in the Everglades and the southern Estates, now Picayune Strand State Forest, going.” More than 15,000 landowners were involved in that acquisition to restore the sheet flow of water to the Everglades.

“We don’t make those decisions. It’s the people, developers, county commissioners, voters, landowners and kids, who are going to eventually be our decision-makers,” says Lytton. At the Environmental Learning Center, his goal is to change children’s lives because, “Kids represent our future.”

Moving forward into a new century, Lytton passionately believes that, “If people have a sense of responsibility and stewardship for this balancing act, we have a chance of sustaining that effort long enough to get some on-ground benefits. Our mission places us right in the middle of that spectrum. That’s where we need to be.”

For more information call 417-6310 or visit www.rookerybay.org.