GreenSpace Water Alliance Indian River Lagoon Pine Flatwoods Education Station & Restoration Project Needs Your Help

Location: Florida Department of Environmental Protection Field Station

5332 Riveredge Drive, Titusville, Florida

Project Overview

In collaboration with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Team, GreenSpace Water Alliance and Friends are helping raise funds to launch a Pine Flatwoods Education Station along the Indian River Lagoon, in Titusville, Florida.

The project area encompasses approximately 4,200 square feet and will serve as a living demonstration site, an educational showcase, and an ecological monitoring area, designed to promote biodiversity, native habitat restoration, and environmental stewardship.

The project will highlight the importance of Florida's native Pine Flatwoods ecosystem through the installation of native vegetation, interpretive educational signage, pollinator and wildlife habitat enhancements, and a future walking trail that will allow visitors to experience and learn about the ecological functions and benefits of native plant communities.

The site will serve as a long-term data-collection and monitoring area to document plant establishment, wildlife use, pollinator activity, and recruitment over time.

Help Fund Phase One!

$3,188.00 is needed to begin the Planting.

Your donation will help fund the purchase of plants and irrigation equipment needed to ensure the establishment and long-term success of the project.

Donate Today! We Hope to Begin Planting in 45 Days.

Whether you contribute $5 or $500, any donation will help us begin this fun and vital project. Thank you for your support!

Project Purpose

  • Demonstrate the ecological value of native Pine Flatwoods habitat.

    • Provide valuable environmental services that directly benefit the Indian River Lagoon

      • Filter stormwater runoff before it reaches the estuary

      •  Reduce erosion and sediment transport

      • Capturing excess nutrients that contribute to harmful algal blooms

      •  Increase rainwater infiltration and groundwater recharge

  • Promote biodiversity and pollinator resources.

  • Provide environmental education opportunities for staff, volunteers, schools, and community groups.

  • Showcase native plants suitable for restoration and landscaping applications.

  • Support wildlife habitat enhancement.

  • Document project success through long-term monitoring.

  • Encourage stewardship of native Florida ecosystems and waterways

Multi-Year Implementation Strategy

Due to funding, labor, and resource considerations, the project is proposed as a multi-year phased effort.

This phased approach will:

  • Reduce initial project costs.

  • Allow fundraising and grant opportunities to support future phases.

  • Minimize labor requirements during installation and maintenance.

  • Increase plant establishment success rates.

  • Allow adaptive management based on observed site conditions.

  • Provide opportunities to evaluate which species perform best on site.

  • Allow monitoring of natural native plant recruitment over time.

Future Site Features

Upon completion, the Pine Flatwoods Education Station will include:

  • Native Pine Flatwoods vegetation community.

  • Interpretive education access trail.

  • Educational signage and plant identification markers.

  • Pollinator habitat and wildlife enhancement areas.

  • Rainwater harvesting and water conservation demonstrations.

  • Wildlife observation opportunities.

  • Long-term ecological monitoring plots.

  • Picnic tables, quantity: 2. 

Phase 1 – First 1,400 sq. ft. Restoration Project Area

Phase 1 Objectives

1. Secure Project Approvals ✔

  • Finalize project design and implementation strategy. ✔

2. Develop Water Management Strategy / Rainwater Harvesting Education Station

  • Evaluate available water sources. ✔

  • Determine irrigation requirements for plant establishment. ✔

  • Explore rainwater harvesting opportunities. ✔

  • Develop a long-term, low-maintenance watering and maintenance plan. ✔

3. Install Project Irrigation System / Rain Harvesting Education Station:

A sustainable, commercial-quality temporary irrigation setup will provide a durable, reusable water system that can be moved between restoration phases and projects, delivering many years of service with minimal maintenance.

~Equiptment including: Interconnected containerized rain harvesting system (440 gallons), sprinkler pump and power hookup, inline filters, tripod impact sprinklers, fittings, clamps, adhesives, bulkheads, adapters, diverters, timers, valves, pipes, and hoses.

Please Click Here To Help Fund This Awesome Project!

*To Purchase A Rain Barrel For Your Home Or Business, Please Call (321) 210-8738.

4. Remove Invasive and Non-Native Vegetation

Targeted removal of invasive and undesirable vegetation currently occupying the restoration area.

  • Species Targeted for Removal

    • Rattlepod (Crotalaria pallida)

      • Listed on UF/IFAS invasive watch and caution lists.

    • Centipede Grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides)

    • Tuberous Sword Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)

      • Florida Category 1 Invasive Plant.

5. Preserve Existing Native Vegetation

Existing native vegetation within the project area will be retained and incorporated into the restoration design.

6. Install Native Pine Flatwoods Plant Community

The following native species are proposed for Phase 1 installation.

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Native Grasses

  • Bushy Bluestem ~Andropogon glomeratus var. Pumilus

  • Wiregrass ~Aristida stricta 

Native Wildflowers and Forbs

  • October Flower ~Polygonella polygama var. Polygama

  • Chapman's Goldenrod ~Solidago odora var. Chapmanii

  • Pinebarren Goldenrod ~Solidago fistulosa

  • St. Andrew's Cross ~Hypericum hypericoides

  • Pale Meadowbeauty ~Rhexia mariana

  • Blazing Star ~Liatris spicata

  • Leavenworth's Coreopsis ~Coreopsis leavenworthii

  • Florida Paintbrush ~Carphephorus corymbosus

Native Shrubs

  • Coastalplain Staggerbush ~Lyonia fruticosa

  • Fetterbush ~Lyonia lucida

  • Gallberry ~Ilex glabra

  • Atlantic St. John's Wort ~Hypericum tenuifolium

  • Saw Palmetto ~Serenoa repens green

  • Shiny Blueberry ~Vaccinium myrsinites

  • Darrow's Blueberry ~Vaccinium darrowii

Expected Outcomes

Phase 1 will establish the foundation of a native Pine Flatwoods restoration area that showcases biodiversity, habitat restoration, and environmental stewardship.

Over time, the Pine Flatwoods Education Station can become a valuable educational asset for illustrating the importance of native vegetation, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem restoration throughout Florida.

*As project support and funding increase, we can expand upon the initial planting on an annual basis, ideally during the rainy season. 

The Education Station will provide opportunities for:

1. Monitoring and Data Collection

  • Plant survival rates.

  • Species growth and coverage.

  • Pollinator activity.

  • Wildlife utilization.

  • Native species vs invasive species recruitment.

  • Seasonal flowering cycles.

  • Long-term ecosystem development.

2. Community Engagement Opportunities

  • Volunteer workdays.

  • Native plant workshops.

  • School field trips.

  • Citizen science projects.

  • Pollinator monitoring.

  • Habitat restoration demonstrations.

  • Environmental education programming.

We hope this project inspires you to stay involved, spread the word, and continue caring for the wildlife, waterways and green spaces that sustain us all. Thank you for showing up, for giving so much, and for being part of the solution!

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