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Aquatic and Wetland Plants

In August 2005, large swaths of Biloxi, Mississippi were underwater. In particular, Main Street and historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church—0.7 miles from the coastline—were inundated with 12 feet of floodwater. While the levee failures and desperation in New Orleans grabbed most news headlines after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, storm surges in coastal Mississippi reached an [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_39261" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39261" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-tour.jpg"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="size-medium wp-image-39261 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-tour-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39261" class="wp-caption-text">Landscape designers describe an underground stormwater project at New Bethel Church in Biloxi, MS. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
In August 2005, large swaths of Biloxi, Mississippi were underwater. In particular, Main Street and historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church—0.7 miles from the coastline—were inundated with 12 feet of floodwater. While the levee failures and desperation in New Orleans grabbed most news headlines after <a href="https://www.weather.gov/mob/katrina">Hurricane Katrina </a>made landfall, storm surges in coastal Mississippi reached an unbelievable 21 feet.
<figure id="attachment_39265" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39265" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-7.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-39265 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-7-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39265" class="wp-caption-text">The landscaped strip at the edge of this parking lot is part of a highly engineered stormwater vault system. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
Years later, New Bethel and surrounding homes and businesses have dried out but not completely recovered. For years, when it rained, the church’s parking lot filled with standing water, forcing parishioners in their Sunday best to wade ankle-deep in water back to their vehicles.
As part of a broader effort to revitalize and increase the overall c<a href="https://placeslr.org/our-work/activeprojects/resilient-east-biloxi/">ommunity resilience of East Biloxi</a>, a creative arm of Mississippi State called the <a href="https://www.gulfcoaststudio.msstate.edu/current-work">Gulf Coast Community Design Studio </a>stepped in to help. They had a creative solution that not only addressed the flooding problem, but also improved the aesthetics of the open lot adjacent to the church.
<figure id="attachment_39263" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39263" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-39263 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/stormwater-cell-2-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39263" class="wp-caption-text">These black plastic cells can be connected adjacent to and above or below similar cells to create underwater stormwater storage capacity. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
While I have written about <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2023/08/23/weekly-what-is-it-bioretention/">bioretention</a> here before, the New Bethel project is a bit different. Instead of digging a deeper open-air swale and planting it with vegetation, this effort incorporates an underwater stormwater vault. The designers placed hard plastic open-structure “<a href="https://citygreen.com/product_info/stratavault/">stratavault</a>” cells below ground, wrapped them in geotextiles, and covered them in landscape soil. The vaults formed an open cavity for water storage, in which the parking lot runoff could be directed. Hidden below ground, the vault was planted over with grasses and other low-growing vegetation.
<figure id="attachment_39273" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39273" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/Strata-animated.gif"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39273 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/Strata-animated-300x300.gif"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39273" class="wp-caption-text">Illustration of how the stratavaults work underground. Courtesy Citygreen.com</figcaption></figure>
While other options, including pervious pavement, were considered for the project, funding was limited, so they looked for less expensive options. The designers had access to a stockpile of free stratavault cells, so they decided to use them as a demonstration project. So far, it has worked beautifully and kept the parking lot dry.
Many sites that use underground <a href="https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_topics/water/ultraurban_bmp_rpt/3fs6.aspx">stormwater vaults</a> do so to save space.  Open real estate is expensive, especially on beaches or urban sites. So, many builders use this technique under the foundation of a building or directly below sidewalks and parking lots. Because structures are built over these underground vaults, care must be taken to provide access for future maintenance. The design of underground vaults varies from gridded cells like the East Biloxi project (often used due to their load-bearing capacity) to open concrete or metal tanks.
For more information on the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio and resilience projects in East Biloxi, check out their websites below.
Mississippi State University Gulf Coast Community Design Studio: <a href="https://www.gulfcoaststudio.msstate.edu/current-work">https://www.gulfcoaststudio.msstate.edu/current-work</a>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="bim2GlFTY6"><a href="https://placeslr.org/our-work/activeprojects/resilient-east-biloxi/">Resilient East Biloxi</a></blockquote>
<iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="&#8220;Resilient East Biloxi&#8221; &#8212; PLACE: SLR" src="https://placeslr.org/our-work/activeprojects/resilient-east-biloxi/embed/#?secret=gMHBHbYA2Y#?secret=bim2GlFTY6" data-secret="bim2GlFTY6" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Landscape designers describe an underground stormwater project at New Bethel Church in Biloxi, MS. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
In August 2005, large swaths of Biloxi, Mississippi were underwater. In particular, Main Street and historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church—0.7 miles from the coastline—were inundated with 12 feet of floodwater. While the levee failures and desperation in New Orleans grabbed most news headlines after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, storm surges in coastal Mississippi reached an unbelievable 21 feet.
The landscaped strip at the edge of this parking lot is part of a highly engineered stormwater vault system. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
Years later, New Bethel and surrounding homes and businesses have dried out but not completely recovered. For years, when it rained, the church’s parking lot filled with standing water, forcing parishioners in their Sunday best to wade ankle-deep in water back to their vehicles.
As part of a broader effort to revitalize and increase the overall community resilience of East Biloxi, a creative arm of Mississippi State called the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio stepped in to help. They had a creative solution that not only addressed the flooding problem, but also improved the aesthetics of the open lot adjacent to the church.
These black plastic cells can be connected adjacent to and above or below similar cells to create underwater stormwater storage capacity. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
While I have written about bioretention here before, the New Bethel project is a bit different. Instead of digging a deeper open-air swale and planting it with vegetation, this effort incorporates an underwater stormwater vault. The designers placed hard plastic open-structure “stratavault” cells below ground, wrapped them in geotextiles, and covered them in landscape soil. The vaults formed an open cavity for water storage, in which the parking lot runoff could be directed. Hidden below ground, the vault was planted over with grasses and other low-growing vegetation.
Illustration of how the stratavaults work underground. Courtesy Citygreen.com
While other options, including pervious pavement, were considered for the project, funding was limited, so they looked for less expensive options. The designers had access to a stockpile of free stratavault cells, so they decided to use them as a demonstration project. So far, it has worked beautifully and kept the parking lot dry.
Many sites that use underground stormwater vaults do so to save space.  Open real estate is expensive, especially on beaches or urban sites. So, many builders use this technique under the foundation of a building or directly below sidewalks and parking lots. Because structures are built over these underground vaults, care must be taken to provide access for future maintenance. The design of underground vaults varies from gridded cells like the East Biloxi project (often used due to their load-bearing capacity) to open concrete or metal tanks.
For more information on the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio and resilience projects in East Biloxi, check out their websites below.
Mississippi State University Gulf Coast Community Design Studio: https://www.gulfcoaststudio.msstate.edu/current-work
Resilient East Biloxi

In August 2005, large swaths of Biloxi, Mississippi were underwater. In particular, Main Street and historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church—0.7 miles from the coastline—were inundated with 12 feet of floodwater. While the levee failures and desperation in New Orleans grabbed most news headlines after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, storm surges in coastal Mississippi reached an […]

Weekly “What is it?”: Stormwater Detention Vaults

Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many contributions to human and planetary health, state and federal laws do outline protection for these fragile systems that surround us. But [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_35525" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35525" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2022/12/gb-wetland-view.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-35525 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2022/12/gb-wetland-view-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35525" class="wp-caption-text">View of Santa Rosa Sound from the new wetland boardwalk. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many contributions to human and planetary health, state and federal laws do outline protection for these fragile systems that surround us.
<figure id="attachment_39231" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39231" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/bridge-wet.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39231 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/bridge-wet-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39231" class="wp-caption-text">Master Naturalist students crossing a bridge in Blackwater State Forest. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
But how do you define a wetland? The <a href="https://floridadep.gov/water/submerged-lands-environmental-resources-coordination/content/wetland-evaluation-and">Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)</a> describes them as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and a duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils.” Breaking this down in regular English, wetlands are areas dominated by wet (or signs of wet) soils and specific plants adapted to those soils. While soggy coastal marshes are pretty easy to recognize, freshwater wetlands can be more complicated. Besides the incredible diversity of vegetative species found in them, disturbance from construction, interruption of natural water sources, drainage, and erosion can make them hard to recognize.
<figure id="attachment_39235" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39235" style="width: 185px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/wet-signature.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39235 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="185" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/wet-signature-185x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39235" class="wp-caption-text">A satellite image near Blackwater State Forest shows the wetland signatures (branched, dark green areas) present in the landscape. Screenshot, Apple Maps</figcaption></figure>
My Sea Grant colleagues and I are currently teaching a <a href="https://masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/become-a-master-naturalist/master-naturalist-courses/">freshwater wetlands Master Naturalist class</a>. Included in the course have been trips to pitcher plant prairies, cypress and gum swamps, and rivers. Yesterday, we had a colleague and longtime wetlands consultant demonstrate how he determines whether a piece of property includes wetlands or not, and where to draw the line between wetlands and uplands.
This process of <a href="https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/delineationmanual.pdf">wetland delineation</a> requires a lot of background knowledge and several important tools. To begin with, you want to start with soil maps and satellite imagery. These will show wetland signatures—often appearing as darker routes of water—along a creek or riverbed. Soil maps describe the texture and water-holding capacity of hundreds of named soil types, which are divided up geographically into very specific parcels of land.
<figure id="attachment_39233" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39233" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/buttressed-trunks.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39233 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/buttressed-trunks-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39233" class="wp-caption-text">The flared shape of wetland trees in standing water is called &#8220;buttressing&#8221; and is a hydrologic indicator of wetland habitats. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
After initial analysis comes the ground-truthing. To truly evaluate a wetland’s boundaries, it’s necessary to go onsite and walk the whole area. The easiest way to corroborate those first guesses at a wetland boundary is to start looking at the vegetation. There are hundreds of groundcover, shrub, and tree types recognized as wetland species. If these dominate the landscape, odds are you’re in a wetland. Other signs of water, known as “hydrological indicators,” like buttressed trunks, crayfish mounds, or water lines yield clues about water’s presence. Sometimes, an area will have been cleared of vegetation before its proper evaluation, which are why understanding soils is so important.
<figure id="attachment_39227" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39227" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/wet-delin-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39227 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/wet-delin-4-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39227" class="wp-caption-text">Sean O&#8217;Toole, wetlands consultant, describes how he examines soils during a wetland evaluation. On the ground is a Munsell soil color chart. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
To evaluate soils, wetland consultants use a soil probe or a long spade that will allow them to remove a sample of soil and evaluate its color and texture. In general, wetland soils are darker and slicker than others, although a handful of other indicators can show wetland properties in relatively sandy soil. Soil color can be compared on a Munsell color chart, which is like comparing wetland-associated paint chips.
Once a stretch of land is identified as a wetland, consultants will generally mark it physically by tying plastic tape around trees, outlining the entire parcel to differentiate it between adjacent uplands. From there, a digital GPS-based map is created that can be easily translated into construction plans and permits.

View of Santa Rosa Sound from the new wetland boardwalk. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many contributions to human and planetary health, state and federal laws do outline protection for these fragile systems that surround us.
Master Naturalist students crossing a bridge in Blackwater State Forest. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
But how do you define a wetland? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) describes them as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and a duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils.” Breaking this down in regular English, wetlands are areas dominated by wet (or signs of wet) soils and specific plants adapted to those soils. While soggy coastal marshes are pretty easy to recognize, freshwater wetlands can be more complicated. Besides the incredible diversity of vegetative species found in them, disturbance from construction, interruption of natural water sources, drainage, and erosion can make them hard to recognize.
A satellite image near Blackwater State Forest shows the wetland signatures (branched, dark green areas) present in the landscape. Screenshot, Apple Maps
My Sea Grant colleagues and I are currently teaching a freshwater wetlands Master Naturalist class. Included in the course have been trips to pitcher plant prairies, cypress and gum swamps, and rivers. Yesterday, we had a colleague and longtime wetlands consultant demonstrate how he determines whether a piece of property includes wetlands or not, and where to draw the line between wetlands and uplands.
This process of wetland delineation requires a lot of background knowledge and several important tools. To begin with, you want to start with soil maps and satellite imagery. These will show wetland signatures—often appearing as darker routes of water—along a creek or riverbed. Soil maps describe the texture and water-holding capacity of hundreds of named soil types, which are divided up geographically into very specific parcels of land.
The flared shape of wetland trees in standing water is called “buttressing” and is a hydrologic indicator of wetland habitats. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
After initial analysis comes the ground-truthing. To truly evaluate a wetland’s boundaries, it’s necessary to go onsite and walk the whole area. The easiest way to corroborate those first guesses at a wetland boundary is to start looking at the vegetation. There are hundreds of groundcover, shrub, and tree types recognized as wetland species. If these dominate the landscape, odds are you’re in a wetland. Other signs of water, known as “hydrological indicators,” like buttressed trunks, crayfish mounds, or water lines yield clues about water’s presence. Sometimes, an area will have been cleared of vegetation before its proper evaluation, which are why understanding soils is so important.
Sean O’Toole, wetlands consultant, describes how he examines soils during a wetland evaluation. On the ground is a Munsell soil color chart. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
To evaluate soils, wetland consultants use a soil probe or a long spade that will allow them to remove a sample of soil and evaluate its color and texture. In general, wetland soils are darker and slicker than others, although a handful of other indicators can show wetland properties in relatively sandy soil. Soil color can be compared on a Munsell color chart, which is like comparing wetland-associated paint chips.
Once a stretch of land is identified as a wetland, consultants will generally mark it physically by tying plastic tape around trees, outlining the entire parcel to differentiate it between adjacent uplands. From there, a digital GPS-based map is created that can be easily translated into construction plans and permits.

Wetlands are beautiful, important, and valuable components of our ecosystems. But for a long time, they were considered little more than insect-riddled cesspools, places devoid of worth. While not everyone fully appreciates wetlands’ many contributions to human and planetary health, state and federal laws do outline protection for these fragile systems that surround us. But […]

Weekly “What is it?”: Wetland delineation

Florida is blessed with an abundance of ecologically diverse state parks. Among them are opportunities to hike, camp, and see wildlife lush forests and wide-open savannas or fish, swim, and paddle through pristine bayous and rivers. One park worth spending time in this time of year is Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve. Yes, that’s “Tar-KILN” not [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_39181" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39181" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/tarpines.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39181 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/tarpines-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39181" class="wp-caption-text">Native pine trees put the Tarkiln property on the map for early European settlers. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
Florida is blessed with an abundance of ecologically diverse state parks. Among them are opportunities to hike, camp, and see wildlife lush forests and wide-open savannas or fish, swim, and paddle through pristine bayous and rivers.
<figure id="attachment_39183" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39183" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/Tar-kiln-illustration-from-NPS.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39183 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="199" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/Tar-kiln-illustration-from-NPS-300x199.png"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39183" class="wp-caption-text">Illustration of the tar kilns used to process sap from pines in the 1800&#8217;s. Courtesy of National Park Service.</figcaption></figure>
One park worth spending time in this time of year is Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve. Yes, that’s “Tar-KILN” not “Tar-KLIN” as I hear often—this area was known for many years as a place of<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/tarkiln-bayou-preserve-state-park/history"> processing pine tar from the native yellow pine</a> in the area. Many products were made from tapping the bark and collecting sap from pines, including tar, pitch, and pine, a collection of compounds called “naval stores” that were used to help waterproof wooden ships. To process tar from the trees, the resin-rich cores of pine trees were placed in stacks and burned, releasing liquid tar into barrels. These were the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mocr/learn/historyculture/naval-stores-in-north-carolina.htm">“kilns” used to extract tar</a>, and they were located all around the peninsula.
<figure id="attachment_39187" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39187" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/tar-two-paths.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39187 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/tar-two-paths-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39187" class="wp-caption-text">Not far from the park entrance, two paths emerge. To the left is an ADA-compliant 1-mile up and back paved path; to the right a dirt/grass path that goes for about 6.5 miles. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/tarkiln-bayou-preserve-state-park/history">Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve is one of the newer state parks</a> in Florida. Left relatively undisturbed since the end of the pine processing days of the mid-20th century, the property was eventually slated for a huge development project (1,300 homes, a golf course, and a marina). A “Friends of the Prairie” group purchased 900 acres in the mid 1990’s, which was then taken on by The Nature Conservancy. After a community-wide support effort including a letter-writing campaign from local 2nd graders, the state took over the land almost exactly 26 years ago, creating Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve.
<figure id="attachment_39191" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39191" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/tarkiln-sundew-1-rotated.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39191 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/tarkiln-sundew-1-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39191" class="wp-caption-text">The small red pinwheel-shaped plants are carnivorous sundews. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
Part of the Big Lagon State Park system, Tarkiln has two separate trails. One is just at a mile long (round-trip) and more accessible, paved or boardwalked all the way from the parking lot to the bayou. A longer vegetated foot path, the Perdido Bay Trail, extends 6.5 miles through longleaf pine forest and wetland habitats.
Currently in the sunniest and wettest spots in the park, you’ll see carnivorous plants in flower. A large percentage the park is considered wetlands, and their waterlogged, acidic soils are prime habitat for pitcher plants and sundews.
<figure id="attachment_39193" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39193" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/tarkiln-dead-bay.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39193 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/tarkiln-dead-bay-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39193" class="wp-caption-text">Sadly, native red bay trees are dying in our forests due to an insect-borne fungal disease. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
As you move past the more open prairies and closer to the boardwalk on the shorter trail, you’ll wind through forested swamp. Species diversity increases, transitioning from a primarily pine overstory to sweet bay magnolia, wax myrtle, bald cypress, titi, and blackgum trees. In contrast to the bright green spring growth on most trees, there are several dead swamp bay trees that have turned an ominous shade of brown. These trees have been hit with laurel wilt, a fungus brought in by borer insects that specifically infest trees in the Persea genus. Of particular interest is that this disease affects avocado trees, Persea americana.
<figure id="attachment_39195" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39195" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/Tarkiln-banner.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-39195 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/files/2024/04/Tarkiln-banner-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39195" class="wp-caption-text">Tarkiln Bayou is a remote and peaceful body of water surrounded by protected wetlands. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension</figcaption></figure>
At the end of the boardwalk, the vegetation transforms from freshwater species to saltwater marsh. The <a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/bayou">bayou</a> is ringed with black needlerush and buffered by more than <a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/sites/default/files/media/file/tbp-brochure.pdf">4,200 acres preserved</a> since the original acquisition in the 90’s.
The park is open year-round, and rangers offer several popular guided walks every winter. For more information, check out the <a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/tarkiln-bayou-nature-walks">Florida State Parks website</a>.
&nbsp;

Native pine trees put the Tarkiln property on the map for early European settlers. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
Florida is blessed with an abundance of ecologically diverse state parks. Among them are opportunities to hike, camp, and see wildlife lush forests and wide-open savannas or fish, swim, and paddle through pristine bayous and rivers.
Illustration of the tar kilns used to process sap from pines in the 1800’s. Courtesy of National Park Service.
One park worth spending time in this time of year is Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve. Yes, that’s “Tar-KILN” not “Tar-KLIN” as I hear often—this area was known for many years as a place of processing pine tar from the native yellow pine in the area. Many products were made from tapping the bark and collecting sap from pines, including tar, pitch, and pine, a collection of compounds called “naval stores” that were used to help waterproof wooden ships. To process tar from the trees, the resin-rich cores of pine trees were placed in stacks and burned, releasing liquid tar into barrels. These were the “kilns” used to extract tar, and they were located all around the peninsula.
Not far from the park entrance, two paths emerge. To the left is an ADA-compliant 1-mile up and back paved path; to the right a dirt/grass path that goes for about 6.5 miles. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve is one of the newer state parks in Florida. Left relatively undisturbed since the end of the pine processing days of the mid-20th century, the property was eventually slated for a huge development project (1,300 homes, a golf course, and a marina). A “Friends of the Prairie” group purchased 900 acres in the mid 1990’s, which was then taken on by The Nature Conservancy. After a community-wide support effort including a letter-writing campaign from local 2nd graders, the state took over the land almost exactly 26 years ago, creating Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve.
The small red pinwheel-shaped plants are carnivorous sundews. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
Part of the Big Lagon State Park system, Tarkiln has two separate trails. One is just at a mile long (round-trip) and more accessible, paved or boardwalked all the way from the parking lot to the bayou. A longer vegetated foot path, the Perdido Bay Trail, extends 6.5 miles through longleaf pine forest and wetland habitats.
Currently in the sunniest and wettest spots in the park, you’ll see carnivorous plants in flower. A large percentage the park is considered wetlands, and their waterlogged, acidic soils are prime habitat for pitcher plants and sundews.
Sadly, native red bay trees are dying in our forests due to an insect-borne fungal disease. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
As you move past the more open prairies and closer to the boardwalk on the shorter trail, you’ll wind through forested swamp. Species diversity increases, transitioning from a primarily pine overstory to sweet bay magnolia, wax myrtle, bald cypress, titi, and blackgum trees. In contrast to the bright green spring growth on most trees, there are several dead swamp bay trees that have turned an ominous shade of brown. These trees have been hit with laurel wilt, a fungus brought in by borer insects that specifically infest trees in the Persea genus. Of particular interest is that this disease affects avocado trees, Persea americana.
Tarkiln Bayou is a remote and peaceful body of water surrounded by protected wetlands. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
At the end of the boardwalk, the vegetation transforms from freshwater species to saltwater marsh. The bayou is ringed with black needlerush and buffered by more than 4,200 acres preserved since the original acquisition in the 90’s.
The park is open year-round, and rangers offer several popular guided walks every winter. For more information, check out the Florida State Parks website.

Florida is blessed with an abundance of ecologically diverse state parks. Among them are opportunities to hike, camp, and see wildlife lush forests and wide-open savannas or fish, swim, and paddle through pristine bayous and rivers. One park worth spending time in this time of year is Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve. Yes, that’s “Tar-KILN” not […]

Weekly “What is it?”: Tarkiln Bayou State Preserve

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