Pollinators
C ON S E RVAT ION
D id you know that one out of every three
bites of food we eat depends on bees and
other pollinators? We’ve begun partnering
with Brevard Backyard Beekeepers, Inc. to maintain the
honey bee hives on Zoo
grounds, which provide homes
to thousands of honey bees and
are used to promote awareness
of pollinator conservation
issues. To learn more about the
importance of honey bees and
beekeeping in Brevard County,
visit brevardbackyardbeekeepers.com. R ockwell Collins has generously
helped us create Zero Waste
Stations for use during special events.
By enhancing our ability to compost and recycle, we are
lessening the negative impacts our operations have on
wildlife. Thank you for your support!
Diamondback Terrapins Restore Our Shores
T hank you to all who submitted your diamondback
terrapin sightings! These unique turtles, which are found in
the Indian River Lagoon, were busy breeding and nesting
throughout the spring and summer. Now the
hatchlings, which
are just the size of a
quarter, have begun
emerging from their
lagoon-side nests! O ur Restore Our Shores
The harvesting of
diamondback terrapins
for use in soup nearly
drove these turtles to
extinction in the early
20th century. Today, loss of habitats to seawalls and growing
raccoon populations are the main threats to their survival. By
logging your sightings, you’re helping scientists identify and
protect terrapin nesting and feeding sites. Share your sightings
at jotform.us/brevardzoo/irlterrapin.
Beach Mice
T his season, our Perdido Key
beach mouse breeding program
bolstered the population of
this endangered species by
producing 12 male and 12
female pups! These mice, which
are found only on a tiny island
off the Florida Panhandle,
are known as “keepers of the
dunes” because they help
coastal plants reproduce by storing seeds in their tunnels
and living chambers. Sadly, feral cats, hurricanes and habitat
loss are contributing to the decline of Perdido Key beach
mice, but we’re doing what we can to ensure their survival!
team has spent the last year
collaborating with local
agencies to create Brevard
County’s first-ever living
shoreline demonstration
site! Living shorelines are
networks of native shoreline
vegetation, oyster reefs
and other organic features that
naturally protect our coasts more
effectively than artificial shorelines
like seawalls and rock revetments.
These ecosystems enhance the lives
of people and wildlife by offering
a natural connection between the
land and water, improving water
quality and providing habitat to
economically important fishes and invertebrates.
The demonstration site showcases three types of shoreline
available to homeowners along the Indian River Lagoon.
Researchers from Florida Tech’s Department of Ocean
Engineering tested the designs to optimize the reduction
of wave energy and erosion along the shoreline. Located
at the eastern base of the Melbourne Causeway, the
demonstration site was funded by a grant from the
Florida Department of Economic opportunity. The Town of
Indialantic and Eastminster Presbyterian Church graciously
allowed the use of their lagoon-front properties. Visitors are
invited to take a self-guided tour along the shoreline.
This fall, you’ll be able to see a living shoreline for yourself
at the Zoo, though on a smalle r scale. This new exhibit will
highlight all the features found at the demonstration site,
such as mangroves, cordgrass and oysters, and provide a
new home to our resident diamondback terrapins. Opening
during Cold Blooded Weekend on September 2!
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