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Annual Fish Stocking Day! Our staff arrives at 5:00am to load up over 500,000 fingerling fish to stock in lakes in Miami, Broward and Palm Beach Counties!
We will be going Facebook Live around 5:30 am, we hope you join us to watch this fun event!
Allstate Resource Management has over 25 years of experience in maintaining the health of lakes, ponds, wetlands, and stormwater systems. We have continued since our inception to be the leader in resource management. Our services include lake management, wetland management, stormwater drain cleaning and maintenance, erosion control, fish stocking, native plantings, debris removal, water quality, aquatic pest control, and upland management. All of our technicians are thoroughly trained and certified in order to meet the strict standards imposed by governmental agencies. This ensures that your property will be treated by only the most competent individuals who are proud of the services we render.
In addition to providing a healthy habitat, we specialize in the installation and maintenance of beautiful color lit fountains, bringing beauty and enjoyment to any lake or pond.
We also offer support services for property managers and HOA’s including educational presentations and CEU programs. Our approved courses offer continuing education credit to CAMs.
Algae growth in South Florida lakes is not an uncommon thing, but it seems to be more of a nuisance in the summer months. What are the causes of algae growth in our community lakes and why is it more prevalent in our warmer, rainy season? Algae, like all other plants, requires sunlight and nutrients to grow. These ingredients are the primary factors in how much and how fast algae is going to grow, but our urban waterways have unique circumstances that also contribute to the potential for algae growth during our summer months.
How Sustainable Lake Management Creates Happier, Healthier Communities (1 CE Credit).
You may have noticed the positive effects on your health and happiness when spending time around the water, but do you know the science behind this phenomenon? Humans have an undeniable connection to waterbodies. This underscores the importance of continuous freshwater management and the prioritization of sustainable techniques.
In this presentation, attendees will learn:
Partner with the aquatic management experts at SOLitude for your continuing education needs in 2022. Reply to this email to schedule a presentation in your area today!
SOLitude Lake Management is a nationwide environmental firm with local offices throughout the U.S. We are dedicated to making water a more healthy and beautiful part of our world. In that pursuit, SOLitude offers sustainable solutions that improve water quality, enhance beauty, preserve natural resources and reduce our environmental footprint. Do you have a lake, stormwater pond, wetland, or fisheries management question or concern?
Call us at 866-996-3294 or simply fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you right away.
Wetlands play an extremely important role in the ecosystem, particularly in Florida. In addition to their cultural relevance, they are a central feature that is home to thousands of incredible species. Preserving them is not only beneficial to the natural ecosystem, it benefits our communities in many ways.
Simply put, wetlands are lands that transition between terrestrial and aquatic environments. More specifically, wetlands contain soils that are inundated long enough to support the growth and reproduction of diverse vegetation.
The plants that grow in wetlands have adapted in a way that lets them survive in the hydric or wet soils. Swamps, marshes, bayheads, bogs, cypress domes and strands, sloughs, wet prairies, riverine swamps, mangrove swamps, and other similar areas meet the criteria of wetlands.
There are wetlands on every continent. Although the Everglades are the most well-known wetlands in Florida, there are many other wetland areas throughout the state. A healthy wetland supports a wide range of wildlife such as birds, amphibians, crustaceans, fish, and reptiles.
The aquatic freshwater and marine life of Florida depend on wetlands for feeding grounds and nurseries for their young. In addition, wetlands also offer outstanding recreational opportunities for fishing, boating, bird watching, and photography – to name just a few. Unfortunately, wetlands face many threats:
Wetlands originally covered approximately 60% of the state’s land, but over time, wetlands have been reduced by urban development to less than half of that amount. Human activities are arguably the greatest threat to wetlands due to the draining of these lands for agriculture or development. Historically, wetlands were considered wastelands and were drained and cleared of vegetation without a second thought to make way for homes, roads, and shopping centers.
Loss of wetlands habitat not only affects animals and plants, but it also diminishes the water supply for the human population, since wetlands hold, filter, and slowly release immense amounts of rainwater into the aquifers that serve as central and south Florida’s only source of freshwater.
Like all ecosystems, the survival of the plants and animal species that live in wetlands depend on a delicately balanced environment. When non-native species are brought in, either on purpose or accidentally, it can unbalance the existing system. Invasive species compete with native species for limited resources. When native species start to die off as a result of competition with an invasive species, the food chain of the ecosystem is disrupted.
For example, some wetlands are being overrun by water hyacinth. This plant is held in check in its native environment, but in North American habitats, it spreads at an alarming rate. Similarly, Burmese pythons were brought into the country as pets and released into local wetlands where they grow too big to be sufficiently supported by their environment. These large snakes thrive in wetlands like the Everglades and threaten the survival of endangered species.
Wetlands work as natural water filtration units. Polluted water washes into the wetlands and is purified as it flows through and out of the wetlands. The pollutants either settle to the bottom of the wetlands or are used by the plants growing in these habitats. But if the concentration of pollutants reaches and then crosses the saturation level, and toxic contaminants continue entering the wetlands, the plants and animals struggle to survive.
In addition, wetlands are often used as dumping grounds for industrial and household waste and sewage. High pollution rates in wetlands kill off fish, wildlife, and plants, destroying the habitat.
Like other ecosystems and habitats, wetlands are also affected by alterations to the environment caused by climate change. Sea-level rise caused by warming temperature is submerging or drowning wetlands, while extreme weather such as drought is drying them out. Higher water levels and lower water levels are caused by the various effects of climate change.
The construction of dams that alter the natural flow of a river also has a huge impact on the environment where it is built. Altering the flow of a river disturbs the ecosystems that depend on that river. Wetlands like swamps or marshes suffer from a higher or lower flow of water when a dam is built. Dams can permanently damage wetland ecosystems.
Wetlands are productive ecosystems that provide environmental benefits to the areas that surround them. Waterfowl and migratory birds, and other wildlife make wetlands their home. As important as that is, these dynamic natural systems provide services such as removing harmful chemicals and excess nutrients from storm runoff, recharging aquifers used for drinking water and irrigation, and protecting communities from coastal storm surges and flooding.
Coastal wetlands and estuaries support diverse habitats that provide shelter and food for recreational and commercial fisheries, which in turn contribute to local economies. People are often drawn to wetlands for outdoor recreation and wellness. Outdoor recreation is important for the health of the population as well as the economy.
These important functions make wetlands a vital part of our environment. Maintaining and improving the health of wetlands support plants, animals, and people. Here are five ways to help conserve Florida’s wetlands:
Improve the health of wetlands by planting buffer strips of native plants near and around water resources. These buffers can help filter out fertilizers and pollutants before they enter the water and cause environmental imbalances. They also help hold soil in place for lasting structure and aesthetic appeal.
Non-native plants that quickly become invasive can have devastating consequences on wetlands. They choke out native species and change the function of the wetlands. Likewise, invasive animals compete with native wildlife for food and habitat, creating a negative cycle within the food web. Monitor the area and report the presence of any invasive species immediately.
Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers for lawn or garden care. These chemicals can harm aquatic species and wildlife by negatively affecting water quality and encouraging invasive plant growth. When absolutely necessary, use organic products in place of chemicals.
Animal waste can wreak havoc on wetlands and their population. Make sure that pet waste is kept out of wetlands by keeping dogs fenced in or leashed, and keeping your cats inside as much as possible. When walking pets or playing outdoors, always pick up and properly dispose of any waste.
Wetlands are amazing ecosystems containing a complex web of plants, animals, fish, and organisms. Change is always occurring, so it’s important to stay informed about the health of the environment. Freshwater management professionals are experienced in monitoring and maintenance solutions aimed at preserving the health and beauty of these habitats. Consider implementing an annual management program to preserve wetlands in your area.
Florida is known for its magnificent wetlands, but that doesn’t mean they will be around forever. Through urban development, invasive species introduction, pollution, and other factors, humans have expedited the deterioration of wetland areas. We should each play an active role in the protection of these unique aquatic ecosystems so that we can enjoy, admire, and benefit from them for as long as possible.
Is your waterbody suffering from erosion damage? Enter to win a $10,000 shoreline makeover for a chance to enhance your waterbody. Entries due March 31, 2022.
Humans have a powerful connection to water. Learn how consistent lake management can help create happier, healthier communities.
It is scientifically proven that being around healthy, beautiful water can reduce anxiety and stress, boost creativity and improve our overall wellness. This is one of the many reasons why our community’s freshwater resources should be maintained with diligence. Discover how to best manage water quality issues and create a more relaxing, enjoyable space you, your loved ones, and your community can enjoy.
Lakes, rivers, beaches, and even swimming pools have beneficial effects on the well-being of visitors that are hard to define. Water is not only essential for our survival, it has a profoundly relaxing and refreshing impact on people’s mental health and happiness. Human beings will always be inextricably connected to water physically, mentally, and spiritually. This helps explain why communities near large water systems are common vacation destinations and highly desirable places for residential communities. It also underscores the importance of preserving our precious aquatic resources.
Maintaining balanced aquatic ecosystems is more important than ever as water scarcity, eutrophication, drought, and increasing demand continue to cause depletion and degradation of water quality worldwide. Water pollution can lead to Harmful Algal Blooms, toxicity, nuisance and invasive aquatic weed growth, bad odors, and taste issues in drinking water reservoirs – among many other issues. These types of water quality challenges can lead to diminished property values and will undoubtedly have a negative effect on swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and overall enjoyment of nature.
In many areas, it’s common for water quality problems to shut down lakes and beaches throughout the summer, but few people are cognizant of why these problems occur and how significantly they can threaten our innate connection with the water. Assessing and addressing issues with water quality requires the experience and knowledge of experts who focus on optimizing all the benefits that balanced water can provide.
Preserving and enhancing water quality calls for successful proactive management with long-term results in mind. Lake and pond management is a science and taking all variables into account is the only way to address water quality issues at their root causes. Aquatic biologists pay close attention to detail and consider the entire aquatic ecosystem when collecting sound physical, chemical, and biological data.
Water quality assessments are a common starting point to uncover this important information and identify potential nutrient imbalances, pollutants, watershed inputs, algal populations, or other problems. With every visit to your waterbody, aquatic biologists can learn more from each new water sample. This data creates a basis for management recommendations and informs the use of eco-friendly tools and advanced technologies.
Depending on the challenges your waterbody faces, it may require a combination of solutions. Fountains and submersed aerators are excellent at increasing healthy dissolved oxygen levels in the water while circulating different areas of the water column. Likewise, new aeration solutions like side stream supersaturation are changing the game by making it possible to directly inject oxygen into the water to correct deficiencies, eliminate bottom muck, and potentially end reliance on herbicides.
In the event that herbicides are required to achieve lasting aquatic weed control, advanced drone technology is now available to efficiently and precisely target affected areas. Drones also aid in surveillance, making it easier than ever to identify problems such as eroded shorelines, which can be rebuilt with innovative mesh technologies that integrate seamlessly into the landscape for lasting stabilization. These efforts are often paired with sediment removal strategies like hydro-raking and the application of nutrient management products that prevent future algae and aquatic weed growth. These steps can be further supported with the introduction of deep-rooted native vegetation, which form beneficial shoreline buffers that prevent undesirable nutrients and pollutants from entering the water.
These solutions provide immediate benefits, but they are not permanent. Lakes and ponds require year-round care for long-term success. An annual management program comprehensively supports aquatic ecosystems with many of these solutions and others that nurture waterbody health and functionality. When an annual plan is uniquely tailored to the individual characteristics of your waterbody, you can maximize the many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of time spent in and around the water.
Is your eroded shoreline hindering the enjoyment of your waterbody? Enter to win a shoreline makeover and enhance your lake or pond.
Tags: Condo and HOA, Lake Management Articles
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