John s Island Lake Worth Lagoon Standards (NGSSS) Nancy Kinard K-12 STEM Manager Tom Salinsky K-5 Science Program Planner

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2 John s Island Dear Teachers, The Department of Secondary Education is pleased to make Lake Worth Lagoon Discover a Local Treasure available to all 5th and 8th grade students in the School District of Palm Beach County. This resource was developed to enhance our students environmental education and to spark an interest in the restoration and conservation of Lake Worth Lagoon. Based on the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, this Newspapers in Education tab provides valuable information about the lagoon. The tab also provides challenging questions that students can explore the answers to using their science notebooks as a tool, graphic organizers, and a variety of other activities to extend students thinking about the environment and their role in it. This tab can be utilized in the classroom to supplement daily lessons. It can also be used at home to encourage family involvement. Please go to Blender to find a digital version of this resource and additional instructional materials to support its use in the classroom. If you have questions about this resource or Lake Worth Lagoon, please contact our department. Nancy Kinard K-12 STEM Manager Gregory Goebel Secondary Science Program Planner Tom Salinsky K-5 Science Program Planner The Lake Worth Lagoon Discover A Local Treasure Newspapers in Education project is the result of a collaborative effort among many community partners and individuals. Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management The School District of Palm Beach County The Palm Beach Post The School Board of Palm Beach County is committed to excellence in education and preparation of ALL of our students with the knowledge, skills, and ethics required for responsible citizenship and productive employment. Lake Worth Lagoon Standards (NGSSS) THIRD GRADE: SC.3.N.1.1; SC.3.N.1.4; SC.3.N.1.5; SC.3.N.1.7; SC.3.N.3.2; SC.3.N.3.3; SC.3.L.14.1; SC.3.L.14.2; SC.3.L.15.1; SC.3.L.17.1; SC.3.L.17.2 FOURTH GRADE: SC.4.N.1.1; SC.4.N.1.2; SC.4.N.1.4; SC.4.N.2.1; SC.4.L.16.2; SC.4.L.16.3; SC.4.L.16.4; SC.4.L.17.2; SC.4.L.17.3; SC.4.L.17.4; SC.4.P.10.4; SC.4.E.6.3; SC.4.E.6.4; SC.4.E.6.5 FIFTH GRADE: SC.5.N.1.1; SC.5.N.1.5; SC.5.N.1.6; SC.5.N.2.1; SC.5.L.14.2; SC.5.L.15.1; SC.5.L.17.1; SC.5.E.7.2 SIXTH GRADE: SC.6.N.1.1; SC.6.N.2.3; SC.6.E.6.1; SC.6.E.6.2; SC.6.E.7.4 SEVENTH GRADE: SC.7.N.1.1; SC.7.N.2.1; SC.7.E.6.6; SC.7.P.11.2; SC.7.P.11.3; SC.7.L.15.3; SC.7.L.17.1; SC.7.L.17.2; SC.7.L.17.3 EIGHTH GRADE: SC.8.N.1.1; SC.8.N.2.2; SC.8.N.4.1; SC.8.N.4.2; SC.8.L.18.1; SC.8.L.18.2; SC.8.L.18.3; SC.8.L.18.4 Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Department of Environmental Resources Management 2300 N. Jog Road - Fourth Floor, West Palm Beach, FL Phone: Follow us on Instagram and Special thanks to: Diana Fedderman, Director of Secondary Education Thomas Salinsky, K-5 Science Program Planner Doris Milano, Teacher Ramona Bradlyn, Teacher Shawn McCall, Teacher Historical Society of Palm Beach County Cover design provided by the South Florida Water Management District Seahorse cover photo by Anne DuPont Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative: Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management: Exploring Estuaries: The School District of Palm Beach County: South Florida Water Management District: The Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative is a partnershipdriven effort to increase public awareness of Palm Beach County s largest estuary and coordinate activities to protect and enhance this valuable natural system. We invite you to learn more about our work and to join us in supporting efforts to enhance fish and wildlife habitat and improve and protect water quality in the lagoon. There is a role for everyone to play in the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative. If you would like to get involved or volunteer, please contact the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management at Copyright 2016, The School District of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management, and Palm Beach Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

3 The Lake Worth Lagoon Lake Worth Lagoon is the largest estuary in Palm Beach County. An estuary is a place where freshwater meets salty ocean water. This mix of fresh and salt water creates the brackish water unique to coastal estuaries. The lagoon is over 20 miles (32 kilometers) long and a half mile (almost 1 kilometer) wide. It stretches from the Village of North Palm Beach at its northern end to the Town of Ocean Ridge and the City of Boynton Beach at its southern end. It is separated from the ocean by two barrier islands, Singer Island and Palm Beach Island. It has two permanent, man-made inlets, Lake Worth Inlet and South Lake Worth Inlet (also known as Boynton Inlet). These inlets connect the lagoon to the ocean. Lake Worth Lagoon and other Florida estuaries are extremely important natural resources. Our cities are built along their shores. We use their waters for recreation and commerce. The fish and wildlife which make Florida unique also depend upon estuaries for survival. Some human activities over the past 100 years have hurt the lagoon. Less food and shelter is available for fish and wildlife. Water running off the land can carry pollutants into the lagoon. At times, the quality of the water is poor and murky. Many people who care about Lake Worth Lagoon are working together to improve it. Individuals and families are planting mangrove trees for wildlife. Groups are cleaning up trash in and around the lagoon. Scientists are monitoring manatees, sea turtles, and seagrass. Students are sharing what they learn about Lake Worth Lagoon with family members and friends. Turn the pages to learn more about Lake Worth Lagoon. Discover a local treasure and the role you can play in protecting it! Use the Internet to research Lake Worth Lagoon. On the map, label the following features using the numbered lines. Atlantic Ocean Village of North Palm Beach Lake Worth Inlet Town of Ocean Ridge South Lake Worth (Boynton) Inlet Earman River/ Canal-17 West Palm Beach Canal/Canal-51 Boynton Canal/ Canal-16 Singer Island Palm Beach Island Peanut Island South Lake Worth Inlet To learn more, view the Lake Worth Lagoon video. Teachers can find it on Blender. Others can view it online at 4. Peanut Island 10. South Lake Worth (Boynton) Inlet 11. Town of Ocean Ridge 9. Boynton Canal/Canal Atlantic Ocean 7. West Palm Beach Canal/Canal Palm Beach Island 5. Lake Worth Inlet II 3. Earman River/Canal Singer Island 1. Village of North Palm Beach ANSWERS:

4 Originally, the lake was a landlocked body of freshwater until early settlers created the first inlet. It was a lake so clear and clean that the bottom was easily visible even at its deepest point. JEAN ANN B. THURBER, member of a Palm Beach pioneer family and an officer of the Lake Worth Pioneers Association Even if you don t live next to Lake Worth Lagoon, your individual actions can have a big effect on the lagoon. This is true because of the Lake Worth Lagoon watershed. Everyone lives in a watershed! A watershed is an area of land where all of its water drains into one place. If you live in the Lake Worth Lagoon watershed, water from your backyard can make it all the way to the lagoon. It can drain into a canal or flow into the street, then into a storm drain, and finally into the lagoon. Lake Worth Lagoon has three freshwater canals (Earman River/Canal-17, West Palm Beach Canal/Canal-51, and the Boynton Canal/Canal-16) that flow directly into it. If the water is polluted, it will pollute the lagoon too. For example, when it rains, water washes pollutants such as fertilizers, pesticides, oil, or trash from neighborhood yards, driveways, and streets into the lagoon. No matter what watershed you live in, you and your family can take some simple steps to preserve or protect water bodies without leaving your own yard. Use fertilizers and lawn chemicals wisely. Don t apply them right before a rainstorm they will just wash away. Throw away waste items in the proper place, a recycling bin or trash can. Don t throw litter on the ground or in canals, lakes, or the lagoon. Clean up and dispose of pet waste properly. Recycle used motor oil. Don t pour it or other substances like paint or pool chemicals into storm drains. Contact the Solid Waste Authority for more information about recycling and proper chemical disposal ( The Lake Worth Lagoon watershed is very big. It starts as far north as the City of Palm Beach Gardens and stretches as far south as the City of Boca Raton. So if someone says, I don t live near the lagoon, so I don t care, you can tell them about the Lake Worth Lagoon watershed. Lake Worth Lagoon was originally a freshwater lake and part of the larger Everglades ecosystem. There were no permanent inlets that connected the lake to the ocean. The Seminole Indians were early inhabitants of this area. They called it Hypoluxo meaning water all around no get out. In the 1870s, settlers started to move to the Lake Worth area to establish homes and Peanut Island to escape the northern winters. Pioneer life on the lake was not an easy one. There were no roads. Most settlers main form of transportation was by boat. The Gulf Stream, a strong ocean current, and hidden underwater reefs created hazardous conditions for ships which often sunk offshore or wrecked along the shore. The settlers scavenged the shipwrecks along the beach to find building materials for their homes. They hunted, fished, and farmed for food. Since there was no inlet, the settlers had to drag their boats over the barrier island to get to the ocean. In 1877, the pioneers constructed the first stable inlet that connected the lake to the ocean. As a result, the lake changed from a freshwater lake to a brackish lagoon (salt and fresh water mixed). Now, the pioneers had direct access to the ocean which made life a little easier. To learn about Lake Worth and what it was like for settlers who made their home on the lake, read Livin on the Lake. You can find out about transportation, housing, food, communication, and even mail delivery during the 1800s. Livin on the Lake, a teacher s guide to a special exhibit created by the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, can be found on Blender. Others interested in the guide can view it online at

5 Lake Worth Lagoon is home to a wide variety of organisms or living things each with their own role in the lagoon ecosystem. An ecosystem is the interaction of all living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things in an area. Each organism is important to the overall health and well being of the ecosystem. Together the inhabitants of Lake Worth Lagoon represent one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in Florida. Diversity refers to the number of different kinds of living things in an ecosystem. Humans have caused changes to the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem. Sometimes changes in an ecosystem cause harm to the ecosystem and the organisms that live there. If a living thing cannot adapt to the changes in its environment, it can become threatened, endangered, or extinct. Laws have been passed and many conservation and restoration efforts have been put into place to protect the organisms that live in Lake Worth Lagoon. The Florida manatee, or sea cow, is a large plant eating aquatic mammal commonly found in freshwater and shallow coastal waters of Florida. Endangered manatees are present in Palm Beach County year round, but their numbers increase in the winter as they migrate in search of warmer water. Many use the warm water discharge of the Florida Power and Light Company Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center as an artificial refuge. Many manatee deaths are human-related. Collisions can occur between manatees and watercraft. Loss of habitat is also a serious threat to manatees. High mortality rates associated with human activity continue to threaten the future of the species. Lake Worth Lagoon is used by many species of wading birds, migratory songbirds, and raptors. Some of the common bird species found in the lagoon are: ibis, osprey, brown pelican, royal tern, seagull, snowy egret, and great blue heron. Brown pelicans are a great success story. At one time, their numbers greatly decreased because of the overuse of pesticides such as DDT. Pesticides from the watershed ran off the land in the form of stormwater and into water bodies such as Lake Worth Lagoon where they contaminated fish. The fish were then eaten by pelicans and other birds. This caused the pelican s egg shells to be very thin, and the embryos could not survive. As a result, DDT use was eliminated. Now, the brown pelican, as well as other affected bird species, have made a comeback. A less common bird is the American oystercatcher. This coastal seabird is large with bold black and white feathers and a bright orange beak. It uses its beak to pry open bivalve mollusks, invertebrates with a pair of hinged shells, like oysters and clams. Oystercatchers feed mainly on animals in the soft sand or mud and make their nests on sand or shell-covered beaches. These birds are considered a Species of Special Concern in Florida. Loss of nesting habitat and egg- and chick-stealing by dogs, cats, raccoons, and foxes are suspected reasons for their decline. But there is good news! American oystercatchers are successfully breeding in the central area of the lagoon. At Snook Islands Natural Area, a pair has produced at least one chick each year from A nesting pair at the Bryant Park Wetlands Restoration site produced three chicks in Environmentalists are confident that the restoration of the lagoon s habitat has contributed in part to the comeback of this species. American Oystercatcher White Ibis Green Heron Brown Pelican Credit: Gael Silverblatt Manatees do not have eyelashes. Manatees can hear very well despite having no external ears. The manatee s lungs lie along its backbone instead of along its rib cage as is found in most mammals. Manatees cannot turn their head sideways because they only have six neck vertebrae. Manatees can hold their breath for as long as 20 minutes when resting. Manatees spend up to eight hours a day eating. The adult manatee averages about 10 feet (3 meters) long and weighs about 1,000 pounds (454.5 kilograms). The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management is studying manatees in Palm Beach County. Between February 2009 and March 2011, scientists documented the number of manatees using our coastal waters and their location. At least once a month, a scientist boarded an airplane and flew over Lake Worth Lagoon to count the manatees swimming below. The counts below are from marine scientist Buddy Powell. Lake Worth Lagoon Date North Central South March 16, April 23, May 14, June 11, July 17, August 4, September 7, October 9, November 1, December 15, January 27, February 24, March 31, Graph this data (line graph). Using your graph, identify the section of the lagoon (north, central, or south) where most manatees are found. Write in your science notebook two reasons why you think manatees like this area. Manatees are in Palm Beach County coastal waters throughout the year, but during certain months a larger population is present. Identify the three months of the year when most manatees are found in the lagoon and explain why in your science notebook.

6 Green Sea Turtle Oysters Common Snook Sea turtles are reptiles that are remarkably adapted to life in the sea. They have a streamlined shape, a large size, and powerful front flippers that enable them to dive to great depths and travel long distances. In recent years, because of human activities, sea turtles are labeled as endangered or threatened species. This means that steps must be taken to stop their decline or they may become extinct. When something is extinct, it is gone forever. Sea turtles live most of their lives in the ocean. There are four species of sea turtles commonly found in the ocean off Palm Beach County. Three species are endangered: the green, leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles; the loggerhead sea turtle is threatened. Sea turtles are also tied to the land because females leave the water at night to lay their eggs on the beach in the spring and summer. Loggerhead sea turtles lay the majority of nests in Palm Beach County. Green and leatherback sea turtles also lay nests. The eggs incubate 6-10 weeks and hatch from late April to October. Scientists have discovered that the Lake Worth Lagoon is important for juvenile green sea turtles. More than eighty turtles have been captured, tagged, and then released back into the lagoon. These young turtles come from beaches up to 5,000 miles away to feed on seagrasses in northern Lake Worth Lagoon. They may live here for up to five years before they move out into the open ocean. These threats include: Buildings and seawalls on beaches Lights on the beach and coastal areas Plastics and other debris in the water People disturbing sea turtles as they nest at night Boat strikes Entanglement from fishing gear In your science notebook, list three things you could personally do to help protect sea turtles. Oysters are an important part of a healthy estuarine ecosystem. They provide habitat and a food source for animals. Oysters clump together, forming reef structures. These reefs can attract more than 300 species of invertebrates and fish. Oysters also clean the water. One individual can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day! Filtering removes phytoplankton and other microorganisms, sediments, and pollutants from the water. Cleaner water allows light to reach underwater plants like seagrass. Oyster populations have suffered over the years, but thanks to environmental restoration and volunteer efforts, oysters are making a comeback. Numerous invertebrates, animals with no backbones, are found throughout the lagoon. They are a diverse group, varying in size, behavior, and habitat. A few octopuses can usually be found near the Lake Worth Inlet. They are very intelligent animals with two eyes and four pairs of arms and flee quickly or use color-changing camouflage to hide. Smaller invertebrates like shrimp live close to the bottom and are an important food source for fish. A shrimp s head makes up 50% of its entire body! What happens when one species is removed from an ecosystem? In your science notebook, write what might happen if oysters were removed from Lake Worth Lagoon. Fish are vertebrates, animals with backbones. Many kinds of fish live in Lake Worth Lagoon. Some fish live their whole lives in the lagoon. Others migrate into or out of the lagoon through the inlets. The lagoon s protected waters make it a perfect place for fish breeding and nursery grounds. Scientists have documented over 250 fish species in the lagoon. A few favorites of local fishermen include snook, tarpon, jack crevalle, barracuda, and sheepshead. Did you know a powerful, warm ocean current called the Gulf Stream carries unique animals into the lagoon? The southern stargazer fish can be found living on the sandy bottom of the lagoon near the Lake Worth Inlet. Stargazers create electrical currents from a special organ located behind the eyes. They use this special talent to fend off threatening fish. Tarpon Sheepshead Jack Crevalle Illustrated by Diane Rome Peebles, Provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Marine Fisheries Management Use the Internet to research other unique fish and invertebrate species in Lake Worth Lagoon. Visit the Florida Museum of Natural History online at View the list of over 600 marine mollusks found near Peanut Island online at

7 The Snook Islands Natural Area was restored to provide a suitable environment for seagrass, oysters and improved habitats for birds and fish. The list below is taken from the science notebook of birder, Cynthia Plockelman, with the Audubon Society of the Everglades. These bird species were observed at the Snook Islands Natural Area on February 14, These are all the species she observed in 2.5 hours and submitted for The Great Backyard Bird Count. The Snook Islands Natural Area has become a prime birding place. Bird diversity has increased with continuing restoration and habitat enhancement projects in Lake Worth Lagoon. Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) - 2 Mallard (Domestic type) - 1 Mottled Duck - 49 Lesser Scaup - 6 Brown Pelican - 10 Double-crested Cormorant - 1 Anhinga - 1 Great Blue Heron - 1 Snowy Egret - 4 Cattle Egret - 6 Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 White Ibis - 24 Black Vulture - 4 Turkey Vulture - 7 Osprey - 3 Cooper s Hawk - 2 American Kestrel - 2 Common Moorhen - 2 American Coot - 10 Black-bellied Plover - 2 Killdeer - 5 American Oystercatcher - 2 Willet - 1 Short-billed Dowitcher - 5 Laughing Gull - 7 Ring-billed Gull - 7 Herring Gull - 2 Great Black-backed Gull - 1 Royal Tern - 4 Rock Pigeon - 71 Eurasian Collared-Dove - 6 White-winged Dove - 1 Mourning Dove - 8 Monk Parakeet - 2 Belted Kingfisher - 1 Gray Kingbird - 1 Loggerhead Shrike - 2 Blue Jay - 2 Fish Crow - 7 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 7 European Starling - 15 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 7 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Northern Cardinal - 10 Common Grackle - 4 Boat-tailed Grackle - 5 House Sparrow 10 Environmental restoration is the process of repairing parts of the environment that are damaged. Often human activities have caused the damage. For example, as more people moved to cities along the lagoon, sand was dredged (removed) from the bottom of the lagoon. The sand was used to fill the marshy shoreline in order to build roads, houses, and other buildings. This process of dredging left behind deep holes in the bottom of the lagoon. The holes provide little habitat for fish and other wildlife. Today, environmental scientists are working to restore these areas in Lake Worth Lagoon. The Snook Islands Natural Area, located within the city of Lake Worth just north of the Lake Worth Bridge, is a good example. Several deep holes in the lagoon were filled with 1.2 million cubic yards of sand. Imagine one cube that is 3 feet tall, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet deep filled with sand. Now imagine 1.2 million of these cubes. That s a lot of sand! Mangrove islands were created and volunteers planted thousands of red mangrove seedlings. The seedlings covered eleven acres or almost eleven football fields. About 28,000 tons of rock were used to stabilize the islands and provide a hard surface for oysters to attach. All that rock weighed about the same as 14,000 small cars. The Snook Islands Natural Area was completed in A boardwalk, fishing pier, kayak launch, and floating boat dock opened in To learn more, including information about current restoration efforts, visit the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management at or call (561) Osprey Identify the eight most commonly observed bird species. Organize this data in a table. Use the data in your table to create a bar graph that displays the most common bird species at the Snook Islands Natural Area on this particular day. Participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count at: and find more birding resources at the Young Birders Network: ebird.org/content/ybn

8 2. Snorkel and fish at Phil Foster Park. Visit Palm Beach County's Phil Foster Park located on Blue Heron Blvd. in Riviera Beach. This park offers a beach for swimming and an artificial reef snorkel trail. If you don't want to get in the water, bring your fishing pole and try to make a big catch at one of the fishing platforms. Learn more at 1. Take a walk on the wild side. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is a great location to explore the lagoon. The boardwalk is a perfect place to look for manatees, sea turtles, birds and fish. Don't forget to look closely for fiddler crabs around red mangrove roots! Ask a park ranger about Munyon Island, a natural island in the lagoon that was restored with 120,000 native plants to enhance wildlife habitat. Learn more at and 3. Take a water taxi to Peanut Island. Observe manatees. Visit Manatee Lagoon: An FPL Eco-Discovery Center to learn about manatees and the lagoon. You might catch a glimpse of the gentle giants as they gather in the warm water refuge along the edge of the lagoon in Riviera Beach. Peanut Island is a man-made island, formed from material dredged to create Lake Worth Inlet. At high tide, clear Gulfstream-fed ocean water enters through the inlet. The island was enhanced with native plants and recreational amenities to create a complete island adventure. Bring your snorkeling gear and see fish like snapper and parrotfish, take a walk around the entire island, or plan a camping trip. Learn more at 6. Stroll the waterfront and visit the South Cove Natural Area. Take a stroll along the city of West Palm Beach's waterfront, walk out onto the municipal docks, or simply take a seat on a nearby bench and enjoy spectacular views of the lagoon. At the South Cove Natural Area you can explore the natural wonders of Lake Worth Lagoon without getting wet! Check out the elevated boardwalk that extends to one of three mangrove islands. The project created over six acres of wildlife habitat to support local fisheries, wading and shorebirds, manatees, and sea turtles. Learn more at and www. wpb.org/waterfront 5. Attend LagoonFest. Celebrate Lake Worth Lagoon at this annual family-friendly festival held on the West Palm Beach waterfront in the fall. Learn more at Watch the boats pass through South Lake Worth Inlet. The inlets connect the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Worth Lagoon. Construction of the South Lake Worth Inlet, also called the Boynton Inlet, was completed in Visit Ocean Inlet Park at 6990 N. Ocean Blvd. in Ocean Ridge, and watch the boats travel back and forth between the calm waters of the lagoon and the rough waters of the ocean. Within the lagoon you'll see Bird Island. This island was restored in Australian pine trees and other invasive exotic plants were replaced with native vegetation, and a least tern rookery was created by Bird Island Trust. Learn more about Ocean Inlet Park at com/parks 7. Look for American oystercatchers at Snook Islands Natural Area. Before the man-made intertidal islands were created here, this area had large deep holes that trapped sediments and offered little habitat for fish and wildlife. Now the islands provide food and shelter for a variety of animals including the American oystercatcher. This large coastal shorebird uses its orange bill to feed on oysters and other invertebrates. Learn more at lakes/estuarine/snook

9 Seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and cordgrass supply food and shelter for creatures as diverse as the great blue heron and the manatee. They play a vital role in the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem. Unfortunately, when the lagoon s natural plants are threatened, all of the living organisms within the lagoon are threatened. These precious plants are the foundation of this natural habitat and feed the web of life within Lake Worth Lagoon. Without native plants like seagrasses and mangroves, the lagoon cannot thrive. Cordgrass Red Mangroves Seagrass Vegetation symbols courtesy of the Integration and Application Network (ian.umces.edu/symbols/), University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Seagrasses, underwater flowering plants, are found just below the water s surface. Several species of seagrass cover 22% of the lagoon area. They include turtle grass, manatee grass, shoal grass, paddle grass, Johnson s seagrass, star grass, and widgeon grass. These can be found in patches ranging to extensive beds. Regardless of species, all of these seagrasses provide important functions. Seagrasses create habitat for a wide variety of marine life and provide a nursery area for juvenile fish, shrimp and crabs. They increase water clarity by capturing sediment (tiny particles) with their roots and help to absorb excess nutrients from stormwater (water running off the land). They also provide a direct food source for endangered manatees and green sea turtles. Can you guess what seagrass manatees like the best? It is manatee grass of course! During low tide, many species of wading birds found in Lake Worth Lagoon use the seagrass beds to forage (look for provisions) for shrimp, crabs, and fish. Even dead and decaying plant matter are important. They serve as the base of the food chain when they decompose, providing an important food source for crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and mullet. There are several major threats to seagrass. Human activity such as dredging, removing sand from the bottom of the lagoon, can result in the removal or burial of seagrass. The amount of sediments in the water can make the water cloudy, blocking sunlight that the seagrass needs for photosynthesis. Structures like docks can also cause this problem. Fertilizers that make their way to the lagoon can cause harm by speeding up the growth of undesirable plant species that out-compete seagrass. Finally, boat propellers can cut through seagrass beds. Recovery and growth of seagrasses in these scarred areas take years. Seagrass South Lake Worth Inlet

10 Mangrove forests serve vital functions in the ecology of South Florida including Lake Worth Lagoon. There are three mangrove species found within the lagoon. The red mangroves, also known as walking trees, are found spreading out into the shallows, while black and white mangroves are often just inshore. These trees provide habitat for many species of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Red mangroves, with their hanging prop roots, serve as nursery grounds for juvenile (young) fish. The juvenile fish can find food and hide among the mangrove roots which provide protection from predators. Mangroves serve as a buffer during storms. Their roots are so good at holding on to soil that they can protect shorelines from being washed away. They also trap sediments in their roots, forming land masses where new plants can grow. There are more than fifty species of mangroves found throughout the world. Three types of mangroves are found in Lake Worth Lagoon: Red, Black, and White. Mangroves can live in both salt and fresh water. Red mangrove roots filter salt before it reaches other parts of the plant. Black and white mangroves push salt out through special pores in their leaves. Coastal development, the building of roads, houses, and other buildings in coastal areas, is a major threat to mangroves in Florida and around the world. About 85% of the mangrove trees that used to line the shores of the lagoon have been destroyed. This loss of mangrove habitat has decreased the biodiversity of the lagoon. However, many environmental restoration projects are underway to replace the mangroves. Read about the Snook Islands Natural Area (Page 7) and Munyon Island Restoration Project (Page 14) for more information. In your science notebook, create a Venn diagram that compares and contrasts the important jobs of seagrasses and mangroves. Red Mangroves Cordgrass is a perennial grass found on tidal mudflats in the lagoon. A perennial is a plant that lives for many growing seasons. Cordgrass grows quickly and can occur in the same areas as mangrove forests. A variety of wildlife use cordgrass as habitat, but manatees are one of the few species that eat it. A major benefit of cordgrass is that its root system holds sediment in place, preventing shoreline erosion. Cordgrass

11 All of the living things in an ecosystem need energy to live and grow. Most living things on Earth depend on the Sun for their energy. This energy is transferred from one organism to another organism in the form of food. The flow of energy starts when solar (light) energy from the sun is converted into chemical (food) energy during a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is carried out by organisms called producers (they produce their own food) which include plants, algae, and some types of bacteria. Examples of producers in the lagoon are mangroves, seagrasses, algae, and phytoplankton. Energy is then transferred to consumers. There are several types of consumers. Primary consumers are called herbivores and eat only producers. Examples of herbivores in the lagoon are manatees, some fish, and green sea turtles. Secondary consumers are called carnivores. They only eat the bodies of primary consumers. Tertiary consumers are carnivores that only eat other carnivores. Examples of carnivores in the lagoon are seahorses, other types of fish, and birds, such as the American oystercatcher. Omnivores are organisms that eat both plants and animals. An example of an omnivore in the lagoon is a raccoon. The energy flow ends at each level with decomposers such as bacteria and fungi that feed on detritus (waste products and remains of producers and consumers). Examples of detritivores (organisms that eat detritus) in the lagoon are fiddler, horseshoe, and spider crabs; shrimp; brittle star; conch; and worms. The breakdown of organisms and their waste prevents buildup of waste and returns energy to the ecosystem. By recycling nutrients to soil, plants are healthier and in turn provide a source of food for consumers. Food chains and food webs show the transfer of food energy through an ecosystem. Food chains show the transfer of food energy from one organism to another. A food web is composed of many overlapping food chains. Any energy that is not used for an organism s life functions (e.g., respiration or movement) or stored in the organism s body tissue, is lost as heat. It is the stored energy in the organism s tissue that is transferred. Only about 10 percent of the energy available within one trophic level (a particular step in the food chain or web) is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level. That means there is less energy available farther up the food chain. Predator/prey relationships can also have an effect in an ecosystem s food web. If predators decline, then their prey population increases, causing far-reaching effects on the biological community. Visit content/animals/kidscorner/games/ foodchaingame.htm PRODUCER (PHYTOPLANKTON) PRIMARY CONSUMER (ZOOPLANKTON) SECONDARY CONSUMER (SHRIMP) TERTIARY CONSUMER (BIRD) An adaptation is a characteristic that helps an organism survive, compete, and reproduce in an ecosystem. For example, mangrove trees have special features that enable them to live in saltwater. Some mangrove trees can filter salt out as they take water in through their roots while others concentrate extra salt in old leaves, which eventually die. Sea turtles are strong swimmers. They can swim fast using their strong front flippers to escape predators and dive deep to find food. 1. What are some adaptations of other organisms in Lake Worth Lagoon? 2. Identify adaptations of a great blue heron, an oyster, or a manatee. 3. What happens if an organism is not adapted to its environment? Make a model of a unique organism that has a variety of adaptations that enable it to survive in Lake Worth Lagoon. In your science notebook, write what would happen if one organism such as seagrass was removed from Lake Worth Lagoon. What effect would this have on the other plant and animal life such as manatees and/or sea turtles in this ecosystem? Construct a food chain using organisms that you have read about in this newspaper to show how organisms within an ecosystem are dependent upon one another.

12 Lake Worth Lagoon is a local treasure. It is a precious natural resource that provides homes to a wide variety of living things. It is important to the local economy because it provides jobs and is a source of recreation for tourists and local residents. Over the years, the lagoon has suffered greatly due to development and pollution. Development includes the building of homes, roads, and businesses so that people can live in a certain place. In the 1950s, the lagoon smelled bad due to the sewage (waste matter) that flowed into it. Today, thanks to the community as well as local, state, and federal agencies, it is a body of water that is on the rebound. It is proof that people can make a positive change in the environment through education, conservation, and the restoration of our natural habitats. Lake Worth Lagoon has made quite the comeback from its earlier years, but it is important to know that it is still a body of water that needs continued protection and restoration. It still faces many challenges such as pollution, stormwater runoff, freshwater discharges, muck deposition, habitat loss, and protecting endangered species. Thus, our community has established a variety of programs to ensure the restoration of Lake Worth Lagoon. On the next few pages, read about restoration efforts and what you can do to help save Lake Worth Lagoon. When it rains, stormwater runoff moves downhill over the land and mixes with pollutants like pesticides and fertilizers. In the Lake Worth Lagoon watershed, stormwater flows from neighborhoods into the lagoon. Pollutants can harm fish and other wildlife. Freshwater flowing into the lagoon from the surrounding watershed can cause big changes in the lagoon s salinity levels (the amount of salt in the water). These changes can harm plant and animal life. Plastic Pollution Plastics hurt the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem. Birds, fish, manatees, sea turtles and other marine life are affected by entanglement or ingestion. Learn how you can play an important role in preventing marine debris at type/oceb/marinedebris/ Lake Worth Lagoon is home to many endangered and threatened species. Florida manatees, green sea turtles, and Johnson s seagrass live in the lagoon. These species are sensitive to activities such as shoreline development, dredging and filling, and even some recreational activities. Collisions with watercraft are a leading cause of death for the manatee. Boat propellers may also damage seagrass beds. Stormwater carries fine sediments to the lagoon. This muck clouds the water, making it difficult for sunlight to reach the bottom. This harms seagrasses and other organisms. Most of the lagoon s shoreline is now made of concrete, not sand. Mangrove forests and sand were replaced with seawalls, concrete structures that protect the shoreline from eroding. It is critical to support efforts to increase habitat for fish and wildlife. Efforts are underway to add more mangroves to the lagoon.

13 For more than twenty years, many government agencies, community organizations, and individuals have worked to improve the lagoon. Efforts aim to improve water quality, restore wildlife habitat, prevent pollution, and get the community involved in taking care of the lagoon. The Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative was established in 2008 to coordinate these efforts and continue the good work. Millions of dollars have been spent on more than forty environmental restoration and stormwater management projects. These projects have removed invasive exotic plant species, restored wildlife habitats, increased the number of mangroves and other native plants, and provided recreational opportunities for the community to enjoy the lagoon. Scientists are observing many positive effects of the projects. Seagrasses are growing beneath the water s surface, fish are swimming among the mangroves, and birds are nesting throughout the lagoon. As you read about Munyon Island, make a list of the improvements made to the island as a part of the restoration efforts. Before After Maritime Hammock Munyon Island, part of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, is located in the northern portion of Lake Worth Lagoon. The original 15-acre island was called Nuctsachoo by the Seminoles, which means Pelican Island. It reportedly supported one of South Florida s largest wading bird rookeries, an area where birds come to breed. In the 1930s and 1960s, sand was dredged from the bottom of the lagoon to construct and maintain the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a deep channel running through the lagoon that makes it easier for boats to navigate. The dredged sand was placed on Munyon Island. So much sand was placed on the island and around its wetlands that it tripled in size to forty-five acres. As the island grew, important wildlife habitat was lost. Wetlands within and around the island were filled. Native plants, including mangroves and seagrass, were destroyed. Invasive exotic plant species like Australian pine and Brazilian pepper took over. These plants do not provide the same quality wildlife habitat as plants native to the lagoon. The Munyon Island Environmental Restoration Project began in the early 1990s. Invasive exotic plant species were removed from the island, and volunteers planted 120,000 native plants including mangroves and cordgrass. A maritime hammock, an area of higher elevation where a group of trees grow, was restored. These forests are unique to South Florida. Gumbo limbo and seagrape are just two of many hardwood tree species planted. Some sand on the island was removed to lower the island s elevation, allowing the land to become soaked with water. Narrow channels and ponds were dug to allow water to reach the mangroves and plants in the middle of the island. The restoration project was completed in The goal of this environmental restoration project was to make Munyon Island what it used to be, before humans caused harm. You can kayak, canoe, or boat over to Munyon Island to see a variety of wildlife. Bring your binoculars to view migratory songbirds and raptors in the tall coastal hammock forest. Watch fish jumping in the channels and ponds, and dashing in and out of the mangrove roots. Also, keep your eyes open for manatees who love to grab a bite to eat and swim among the extensive seagrass beds in the area. Today, Munyon Island is one of the prettiest and most productive wildlife spots of Lake Worth Lagoon, just like it used to be.

14 Oyster Reef Restoration There are many ways for you and others to protect and restore Lake Worth Lagoon. You can get involved by educating yourselves and others about the lagoon, volunteering, and taking personal action every day to protect the lagoon. Lake Worth Lagoon offers an excellent learning opportunity and promotes a deeper understanding of our environment. Explore the lagoon to view the wildlife and plants discussed in this publication. Don t keep what you ve learned to yourself! Sharing your knowledge with a family member or friend is one of the easiest actions you can take to protect the lagoon. There are many fun volunteer programs that can put you and your family or friends on the front lines of the effort to save Lake Worth Lagoon. Of course, everyone is encouraged to join the fun. Throughout the year there are opportunities to clean up litter in the lagoon and its watershed. These events are put forth by many individuals and organizations who come together as a team for the same cause: to protect and restore Lake Worth Lagoon. Please do your part to help Lake Worth Lagoon. We are connected to the environment no matter where we live or where we go. Our actions impact the environment we depend on. Recycling is an effective action everyone can do to make a difference. There are other actions you can take too. Try conserving your water use, use less fertilizers and pesticides on your lawns and gardens, use natural fertilizers, car pool (share a ride) more often, and support your local environmental groups. You can also make an effort by using reusable grocery bags rather than the disposable plastic bags stores provide. Although the large restoration projects in Lake Worth Lagoon are great success stories and have made a positive difference, there is much more work to be done. We must remember that it will be the small continuous efforts of individuals that will restore our natural habitats and save Lake Worth Lagoon! Together, we can make a difference. Munyon Island Cleanup Get Involved in Monofilament Recycling The Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP) is dedicated to reducing the environmental damage caused by discarded fishing line. Monofilament fishing line lasts up to 600 years in the environment where it entangles wildlife, is eaten by animals including birds, fish, manatees and sea turtles, and is hazardous to boaters and swimmers. Learn more at To manage a MRRP location in Palm Beach County, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful ( sponsors two major cleanups every year: The Great American Cleanup in April and the International Coastal Cleanup in September. Hundreds of volunteers mobilize during these events to clean up neighborhoods, streets, beaches, and the shoreline of Lake Worth Lagoon. There is also a program offered by the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County ( through which any family, classroom or organization can Adopt-A-Spot. A team of volunteers commits to clean up a certain area in Palm Beach County. The spot could be your street, neighborhood or school grounds. In return, the Solid Waste Authority will provide trash bags and gloves for every cleanup. A perfectly manicured lawn with a large variety of non-native plants (plants from areas outside of South Florida) may be beautiful, but it may not be environmentally-friendly. Florida-friendly yards conserve water, are easy to maintain, and don t use a lot of pesticides and fertilizers. Native plants that grow naturally in South Florida are often found in Floridafriendly yards. They provide food and shelter for birds and butterflies. Here are some simple landscaping practices that you and your family can follow: Select native plants which require less water and support the life cycle of Florida wildlife. Start small select a portion of your existing yard to make more Florida-friendly. Keep mulch on your plant beds to control weeds, retain soil moisture, and reduce stormwater runoff. Water your lawn and plants only when you know they need it. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to recycle nitrogen. Reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Learn more at Write a letter to the mayor of a city or town within the Lake Worth Lagoon watershed to convince this public official of the importance of the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative. Give examples of how the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative has had a positive impact on the lagoon ecosystem. Visit the Palm Beach County League of Cities online to find contact information. To support habitat restoration of the lagoon and learn more about the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative (LWLI), please visit Here you will find updates on lagoon management, research, restoration efforts, and volunteer opportunities. On the Get Involved page, you will find a list of youth-related events and activites. To learn more about the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management s efforts to protect, preserve, and enhance all the land and water resources of the county, please visit Write a script and act out a play demonstrating the impact that humans have had on Lake Worth Lagoon. Identify the ways in which humans have helped and harmed this ecosystem.

15 Is science one of your favorite subjects in school? Are you interested in plants, animals, and protecting the environment? If so, there are many jobs in the field of science that might be right for you! At the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management there are about 150 people who work to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural environment in our county. Continue your education and someday you can join our workforce! Biologist Natural resource specialist Biologists study living things and their environments and how they affect or are affected by the world around them. For example, biologists study plants and animals found in Lake Worth Lagoon. They monitor (observe and keep track of) sea turtles and manatees using the lagoon and the location and growth of seagrass beds and oyster reefs. Natural resource specialists manage natural areas, lands protected for the plants and animals that live there. They remove invasive exotic plant species that invade and overtake native plants, perform plant and wildlife surveys, and improve wildlife habitat. Environmental scientists define environmental problems and apply knowledge to identify solutions. Often, their work includes understanding human relationships and policies towards the environment. For example, environmental scientists have identified sources of pollution and are working with people and communities to eliminate them. Engineers work with environmental scientists to design habitat restoration projects. They apply scientific and mathematical knowledge to create plans for building structures, like a boardwalk, and wildlife habitats, like mangrove islands. Hydrologists study the movement, distribution, and quality of water. For example, they take water quality samples in Lake Worth Lagoon, evaluate the data, and determine the overall health of the lagoon. Public outreach specialists inform people about the work done by the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management. They develop written materials, give presentations, maintain the Department s website, and organize volunteers to help improve wildlife habitat. Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists use computer software to organize and display data in useful maps. For example, they create maps of Lake Worth Lagoon and the location of seagrass beds, mangroves, and oyster reefs. Hydrologist Public outreach specialist Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist Environmental scientist Choice Programs: Choice Programs offer unique opportunities for in-depth experiences and study in specific areas of interest for students in Palm Beach County schools. For more information about Choice Programs that focus on environmental education, students can visit Engineer