Not all seagrass beds are marked, so if in doubt, boaters should go slow to protect the seagrass beds. Seagrasses are flowering plants that live underwater in shallow coastal areas. According to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), 70 percent of Floridas marine recreational fish depend upon seagrass communities at some time in their lives.

The completion of the installation marks the culmination of a five-year project by the Apalachicola Riverkeepers in collaboration with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, Northwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Marine Research Institute and SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

Instrumental in the installation process were faculty, students and President of the Board from AMIkids Panama City Marine Institute and AMIkids West Florida. Pictured standing on boat from left to right are; (in back) Pete Harrison, outdoor instructor for AMIkids West Florida, Wayland Fulford (Capital City Bank), President of the Board, AMIkids West Florida, Rusty Russell (seated) Executive Director of AMIkids Panama City Marine Institute, and three kids from both programs.

Also this last week the boys did their monthly trip to help out at the Laidlaw Audobon Preserve south of Bonifay. The boys help cut and maintain the trails, shelters and feeding boxes at the unique preserve, working side-by-side with local volunteers.

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