The bug-eyed fish who's ogling you with such a bad temper has a point. He's a local juvenile snook and you may be affecting his habitat.

    As he sees it, every time our human species has drained a marsh, plowed it or built a city on it, since 1492 or so -- there went the neighborhood. Brings into perspective why heíd pull up stakes and leave!

    Donate $10 for his future, and we'll see that nice, protected spots -- just the kind he and his friends need to grow in -- are left undisturbed for keeps and reserved for them. Yes, maintain a nursery for "our young'ns" for only $10. Hear that snook popping, just once, and you're paid back. Makes you feel great doesnít it? When you make this commitment, only then can the snook relax and so can you. A Bit.

    No, we will not be demonstrating, staging sit-ins, or filing lawsuits. First we identify suitable locations that already have the basic natural amenities, but are poorly maintained and inefficient. e then eradicate unwelcome visitors such as Brazilian pepper, melaleuca, and Australian pine trees. Our next step is to establish a plan to reopen any existing mangrove sloughs. The goal is to restore each site to its naturally productive state. All the while, we are monitoring the results of our efforts.

    How do we choose where to focus our efforts? Well, we are starting right in our own back yard with the 40 acre site we currently are improving and will be expanding up and down the Indian River Lagoon. Were you aware that the Indian River Lagoon and the waters off shore, contain the highest diversity of marine organisms in the coastal area of the continental United States? Yes, there are over 2,100 types of plants and 2,200 species of animals that call this home. The waters of the treasure coast lie in a transitional range that brings tropical and subtropical marine life together in numbers not found in other areas. Experts have already identified over 100 types of plants on our site alone. In addition, over seventy percent of recreational fish depend on our estuarine habitat.

    All of it is prime real estate, if you're a snook, tarpon, snapper or a seahorse. Some of it's nice for people too -- lovely hammocks, uplands, berms and even spoil islands. If it sounds strange to administer this type of marsh, here's the deal. We have been participants for the last six years in the "Creating Marsh Management Program," run by the State of Florida. As administrators, we return the land to its naturally productive status, then monitor the results.

    You may be wondering why we have chosen such an ambitious venture. When you understand the numbers, you will agree this level of commitment is important for our region. The mangrove habitat that we are targeting fulfills two important functions for the marine environment. First, it offers shelter for juvenile fish within its prop root structure. Second, the start of the food chain is through nutrients, in the form of detritus, that comes from the leaves and debris from the mangrove trees. Scientists, in their studies, have determined that it takes several ounces of mangrove leaves to support each ounce of snook. What, you say? Yes, for every ounce of weight on each Snook, it takes several ounces of mangrove leaves to create the nutrients to support the food chain for that fish. This mangrove habitat is a critical link to the entire fish population.

    Our staff will guide you and your guests through our preserve where you're most welcome. Walk along our paths, sit on one of the benches, look about, and say to the youngster that may be with you, "This will be here, as is, for your grandchildren." What a nice feeling you and our future generations can share together.

    We do ask that you don't bother the natives. In our preserve Black Snakes, Indigo Snakes, Ring Neck Snakes, Mangrove Tree Snakes, River Otters, Bob Cats, Raccoons, Opossums, Armadillos, Foxes and Florida Panthers consider this home. PLEASE LEAVE UNDISTURBED. For $10, you're privileged to observe the animals or stroke some poison ivy. What a bargain!

    In addition to this program of nursery enhancement, we also pursue other marine related habitat that desperately needs protection and preservation. For example, we survey and have awareness programs on the Sabellaiird Worm Reef, commonly know as "The Bath Tub Reef." This not only serves as a home for these cute little worms, but this is also a place where divers, fisherman and kids see our mature snook, tarpon, snapper and limitless tropical fish in action. We also promote the preservation of habitat for the numerous turtles that nest on our beaches. We do this through educational lectures and guided turtle walks with permitted guides.

    The Florida Oceanographic Society currently has two Reef Research Dive Teams that are observing, categorizing, and surveying our natural and artificial reefs in Martin and Palm Beach County waters for long-term monitoring of the health of our ocean environment and its inhabitants. These projects require specialized training for dedicated, qualified divers.

    All of these pro-active plans for preservation of our marine habitat have an associated cost. That is where we need your partnership. We plan to use your money responsibly. In addition to promoting awareness and conservation, we are considering added land stewardship opportunities in which we may buy some lands, trade for others, get leases, easements, and even ask to be mentioned in wills. We will work hand-in-hand with any responsible organization that can also care for and protect these delicate areas from "anyone" who does not live in the water, builds nests or eat acorns.

    In this pursuit you may find that the land you and the rest of us have just protected is harboring fiddler crabs, shrimp or Gambusia fish that thrive on mosquito larvae. You've a lot to learn and see that's most intriguing, as you'll discover.

    YOU BET, in two very important ways. First, your dollars add up. Second, your willingness to make a contribution becomes noticed by others who make contributions. Those discriminating foundations, corporations, and individuals who can contribute substantial money or property need assurance that our ranks include a lot of intelligent, concerned, articulate citizens: people who know that the natural world and all it harbors needs our help.

    Yes. We need you, your voice, -- and your $10. Please join us today. It's easy, just fill out the donation form and send your check for $10 (send more if you can) today. Within six weeks of sending your contribution, you will receive your contribution certificate. NOTE that it's tax-deductible.

    You may also consider a membership in the Florida Oceanographic Society. Privileges include free admission to the Frances Langford Visitors Center, along with our extensive Maritime Hammock Nature Trail System and multiple programs offered throughout the year. New exhibits teamed with educational opportunities for kids of ages from 2-102 are arriving on a continual basis.

    Thank you, and welcome fellow investors in a partnership for a healthy marine habitat. For your fanfare, listen for the wondrous sounds of the happy fish flopping in the water and the kids saying "Wow - this is really neat!"

Sincerely,

Glenn E. Massnick, Jr.
President

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