Rewilding under way at Venus Lake Preserve
The Venus Lake Preserve is an 11-acre property that contains a five-acre tidally influenced lake that the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation acquired in 1984. Three areas need to be restored to make the entire property beneficial to native wildlife. The rewilding of the areas will include the removal of exotic species and the planting of native vegetation, according to the SCCF.
In July, SCCF Land Conservation Steward Victor Young and field technician Dustin Lucas planted about 100 trees and shrubs in three areas on the lake’s west side. The areas total about an acre of open habitat dominated by St. Augustine grass, a residential turf grass. There are also some Australian pine trees that will need to be topped or taken down. The plants chosen for the replanting include sea grape, white indigo berry, wild olive, mastic and gumbo limbo. They were chosen because they are the dominant plants adjacent to the open areas. The aim is to create a continuous stretch of wildlife habitat.
Wildlife cameras have documented several species visiting the preserve, including bobcats, coyotes, river otters and various wading birds. The trees immediately adjacent to the lake are buttonwood and various mangrove species that help prevent erosion and provide nesting habitat for several avian species. As the area grows in, the spreading cover and habitat diversification will attract more wildlife.
After the trees are planted, frequent watering will be needed to get the plants established; however, the summer rains are aiding the process. The preserve will be furnished with new signs depicting the preserve name and new SCCF logo.