St. Vincent Island NWR
Oyster Pond Restoration

Purpose: This project involves renovation and restoration of 113 acres of brackish marsh habitat on St. Vincent Island NWR through installation of water control structures to prevent encroachment of cattails. Herbicidal treatment, salt water, fire, and periodic drawdowns will be used to control cattails throughout the growing season. In addition, 50 wood duck nest boxes were constructed and placed along the lower Apalachicola River Basin. Blue-winged teal will be the primary species of waterfowl benefiting from this restoration project. Wood ducks will benefit from additional nesting sites along the Apalachicola River. This project is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain high quality wetland habitat for wintering and resident waterfowl.

Location: Approx. 9 miles southwest of Apalachicola, FL (Franklin County)

Acres Impacted: 113 acres

Habitat Type: Brackish Marsh

Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Ducks Unlimited, Inc

Timeline: Construction was completed in fall 1998

DU Contact: Craig LeSchack
Director of Conservation Programs – Florida
3896 Leeds Avenue
Charleston, SC  29405
(843) 745-9110
cleschack@ducks.org