The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has provided an update on its ongoing efforts to restore fish and wildlife habitats at Lake George, located in Volusia and Putnam counties. Since 2020, the FWC has been working on restoration projects that include the installation of temporary fenced enclosures and the planting of eelgrass, a native freshwater aquatic plant.
Historically, Lake George was home to thousands of acres of submerged native plants, predominantly eelgrass. These plants served as crucial habitats for various fish and wildlife species, including manatees. However, following Hurricane Irma, this habitat disappeared from Lake George and has not naturally re-established due to significant grazing pressure from local fish and wildlife populations.
To address this issue, the FWC planted over 90 acres with approximately 1 million eelgrass plants this spring. Temporary fenced enclosures were set up to prevent herbivores from grazing on the recovering vegetation. In total, there are now 34 fenced enclosures around Lake George’s shoreline covering more than 110 acres. These efforts aim to provide ecological benefits crucial for restoring Lake George and the St. Johns River ecosystem. Established eelgrass beds offer food, habitat, breeding grounds for native species, improve fishing opportunities for anglers, and enhance water quality.
The FWC advises boaters to exercise caution when navigating near Lake George’s shorelines due to these installations. Maps indicating fence locations are available for reference. The fences have reflective tape at their tops for nighttime navigation assistance and signage informing boaters of their presence. Both federal and state agencies have permitted these enclosures.
Each year, the FWC plants thousands of native submerged aquatic vegetation across Florida to restore and maintain aquatic habitats statewide. For further information or inquiries about the restoration project at Lake George, individuals can visit MyFWC.com/AquaticHabitats or email AquaticHabitat@MyFWC.com.
