Gulf Power grants support grassroots efforts to protect waterways

Barely visible among tall shore grass, a blue heron stalks pinfish near a mature oyster reef on Pensacola Bay.

Pockets of restored shoreline — made possible by partnership-powered Five Star grants — are providing haven for fish and wildlife while protecting sections of the Northwest Florida coast.

Projects to protect and restore three unique and diverse habitats in Northwest Florida — two in Pensacola — are among 11 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grants awarded in the Southeast through the partnership between Gulf Power’s parent company, Southern Company, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The program encourages environmental stewardship and community partnerships to protect vital habitats.

Keep Pensacola Beautiful will develop a living shoreline on Bayou Grande in Pensacola Bay, using recycled oyster shells to create breakwater reefs along with emergent grasses. The group recently completed a similar project at Bayou Texar in Pensacola with Five Star grant support.

A second Five Star grant enables Escambia County to conduct habitat restoration at Jones Swamp — a sensitive wetlands area hidden in a bustling tourist area in southwest Escambia County.

Projects can apply for and receive up to $40,000 each from the one-year grants. The key factor with the Five Star grants is the community partnerships and volunteer contribution match resulting with each project.

“We take pride in protecting our environment and supporting these projects will connect our communities to help protect Northwest Florida’s priceless natural resources,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “These are grassroots efforts that thrive from partnerships between businesses, agencies or colleges and the people who live in these communities.”

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program provides financial assistance to diverse local partnerships for wetland, forest, streamside and coastal habitat restoration with a particular focus on urban waters and watersheds. It also emphasizes results-based collaboration with diverse partners, including environmental groups, public agencies, non-governmental organizations, landowners, schools, businesses and others.

Since 2006, Southern Company has contributed more than $1.9 million to 89 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grants, resulting in an on-the-ground conservation impact of more than $10.2 million. Altogether, these efforts are restoring more than 1,088 acres of wetlands and more than 126,000 square feet of riparian buffer in the Southeast.

Gulf Power-supported Five Star projects for 2014-15:

•Bayou Grande Living Shorelines — Keep Pensacola Beautiful and its partners will restore oyster reefs and intertidal marsh habitat on one acre at two locations in the Pensacola Bay system. Volunteers and staff will build about 30 recycled oyster shell reefs along 1,000 feet of shoreline and plant sea and shore grass to protect the shoreline. This will protect the shore and provide nursery and foraging grounds for finfish, shellfish and wading birds, and aid in filtration of stormwater runoff.

•Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve Patton Restoration — Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and its partners will improve the ecology of 35 acres to help this natural wetland function better as a buffer zone to protect the waterways. The project aims to remove invasive plant species and replant native grasses and plants that will in turn protect the waterways. The group also will install educational signs, launch outdoor programs and improve 2,500 feet of trail — with an aim to draw more visitors.

•Coastal Dune Lakes Monitoring and Restoration — The coastal dune lakes in south Walton County are a unique geographical feature — found elsewhere only in Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and Oregon. Northwest Florida State College Foundation and its partners, led by the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, will remove invasive plants and engage volunteers in the monthly monitoring of 58 water quality stations on 16 coastal dune lakes in Walton County. Outreach activities will include coastal dune lakes tours for residents and visitors.