In March, the third annual Wesley’s Island Pig Roast was held to benefit MMPS Environmental and its continued progress on Wesley’s Island, located on the west end of the Fort Pierce Inlet. The event was conceived by MMPS to remember John Wesley Davis, former resident of the island, who used to walk his pet pig, Ollie, on a leash around Downtown Fort Pierce.
Honored at the pig roast were several organizations and people who distinguished themselves through environmental volunteerism in the Artificial Reef Program over the last ten years. These included: American Dream Factory, LeRoy Creswell,
Fort Pierce Sportfishing Club, Lewis Garrett, Jack and Jill of the Treasure Coast, Debbie Langley, Marine Cleanup Initiative, Mark McGee, Sea-life Habitat Improvement Project, SWORD Outreach Ministries, Tomeu Mentors Club, Treasure Coast Casters, Don Voss and Tom Zwarych.
Restoration of the island is to improve habitats for environmental concerns (the island is classified as a conservation island with an emphasis on its bird populations) while allowing it to retain its benefits to human recreation and education.
In 2016, Stella Maris Environmental Research hosted its first environmental summer camp for teenagers on the island. MMPS and Keiser University are establishing a research program for faculty and students using the island to demonstrate ecological principles while testing hypotheses on the island.
It is hoped in the future the island will become a focal point for the environmental significance of the Port Planning Area. Located just east of the Port of Fort Pierce turning basin, this island could become a focal point of any attempts for environmental enhancement in this area. Now that restoration of the uplands is well underway, the area can be used for experimental hardbottom (artificial reef module) placement and seagrass restoration experiments.
Success of this year’s pig roast was helped by many business sponsors. Thanks to these sponsors, MMPS will contribute $2,000 towards the purchase of additional trees for planting on the island. A list of business sponsors can be viewed on the third annual Wesley’s Island Pig Roast Facebook Page (http://bit.ly/2qzexGo).
During the next rainy season, ERD plans to plant larger trees on the island pending potential grant funding from the Indian River Lagoon Council. In a public/private cooperative effort, it is hoped that ERD will be able to plant the additional trees, leaving even more money for trees on the island.
The island has been the focal point of volunteers since 2014. In 2016 St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department (ERD) helped volunteers by removing exotic vegetation and replanting coastal grasslands on the island. Planting of larger trees is hoped to commence in the upcoming rainy season. In the future, maintenance of the island will be the responsibility of MMPS Environmental and a group of dedicated volunteers.
For more information on the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program or if interested in volunteering to maintain or help restore fish habitats around Wesley’s Island, contact Jim Oppenborn, St. Lucie County Coastal Resources Coordinator at oppenbornj@stlucieco.org or (772) 462-1713.
