YEAR 2008 - CRP Project #7001 (Gulf of Mexico)
Project #7001
Helen Wood Park
Wetlands Restoration Project
Mobile, Alabama
Project name: |
|
Helen Wood Park Wetlands Restoration |
|
Project number: |
|
7001 |
|
Project status: |
|
In Progress |
|
Grant Administrator: |
|
Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA) |
|
Grantee: |
|
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program |
|
Project location: |
|
Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama |
|
Grant period: |
|
Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2020 |
|
Grant amount: |
|
$38,550 |
|
Land Ownership: |
|
Public |
|
Lat/Long: |
|
30 ° 34’ 09” N, 88 ° 05’ 11” W |
|
Types of Habitat: |
|
Salt Marsh |
|
Project leader: |
|
Roberta Arena Swann
Deputy Director
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
4172 Commanders Drive, Mobile, AL 36615
www.mobilebaynep.com |
|
|
|
|

BEFORE - Park before
recent improvements |

AFTER - Park after recent
improvements |
Species Benefiting From Restoration:
• Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)
• Great Blue Heron
• White-crowned Night Heron
• Black Needle Rush (Juncas romerianus)
• Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
• Salt Meadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens)
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
Approximate 3.5 acres
Project Summary:
Helen Wood Park is a triangular eight-acre tract immediately
to the north and east of Dog River Bridge. The property
occupies part of a low, flat, wet salt marsh peninsula
bordered by Dog River to the west and south and by Mobile Bay
to the east. This project will involve the restoration of the
wetlands located along the western/northwestern side of
developed area of Helen Wood Park. These wetlands receive
tidal flows directly from Mobile Bay through two small tidal
guts and from Dog River through a culvert under Dauphin
Island Parkway which connects to a tidal creek on the west
side of the parkway. The area is approximately 3.5 acres in
size and is heavily infested with Phragmites with some
Chinese Tallow Trees. The project will involve three phases:
removing existing invasive species, reducing the elevation of
the area, and replanting of native species.
The first phase will take place during the first two months
of 2008 and will involve a prescribed burning of the entire
wetlands at the site. During spring of 2008, the area will be
monitored for Phragmite re-sprouting and any re-infestation
will be treated with a glyphosate-based herbicide approved
for use in wetland areas. This monitoring/treatment will
continue throughout the rest of the year.
Phase two will involve excavation of areas of higher
elevation along the shore of the 3.5 acre site, lowering
these areas six to eight inches to allow flooding during high
tides. This was left out of the pre-proposal because of
ongoing discussion of whether or not it was needed. A recent
site survey of the area prepared by Fred Nation, a local
environmental consultant concluded that the elevation and
hydrologic changes to this area are the principal reasons for
Phragmite infestation.
Phase Three of this project will occur during fall, 2008 and
include a volunteer planting using the Mobile County Grasses
to Classes program volunteers and plants. In addition
volunteer recruitment of native species from adjacent areas
may take place and neighborhood grassroots organizations will
be recruited to assist with planting the site and installing
educational signage throughout the area on salt marshes and
their importance.
Project Objectives:
- Control invasive species and re-establish native
vegetation
- Improve security at the park
- Improve education & outreach efforts through community
involvement and signage
Community Involvement:
Volunteers, including local high school students and community
volunteers, will be used to help with planting native
vegetation and installing signage. Educational Signage placed
at the site will provide park users with information on native
species of flora and fauna and the importance of coastal
marshes.
|
|
|