Understanding Mangroves and Coastal Ecosystems – Hands On Initiative

Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Location: TBD (Palm Island Placida Florida)

Join us for a special Island Living Lecture Series presentation, in partnership with the Bocilla Islands Conservancy Hands On Initiative, on mangroves with Armando Ubeda, Florida Sea Grant Agent with UF IFAS Extension Sarasota County.

This program brings education directly into our community as we prepare for upcoming mangrove restoration efforts on the island. Residents will gain a deeper understanding of the vital role mangroves play in protecting shorelines, supporting marine life, and strengthening the coastal ecosystems that make island living possible.

Discover the remarkable world of mangroves and the vital role they play in protecting our shorelines, supporting marine life, and improving water quality throughout our estuary. In this engaging presentation, Armando will explore the unique ecology of mangrove ecosystems, their extraordinary adaptations, and the many species that depend on them for survival. This lecture serves as a precursor to upcoming mangrove restoration efforts on the island by helping residents better understand the value of these essential coastal habitats.

Mangroves are one of the most important natural systems surrounding the Bocilla Islands Chain. They stabilize shorelines, provide nursery habitat for fish such as snook and tarpon, support birds and invertebrates, and strengthen the coastal environment that makes island living possible.

If mangroves are producing propagules at that time, we hope to include a hands on planting component where participants can learn how to nurse a young mangrove for later replanting at their home. This portion of the program is still to be determined and will depend on seasonal conditions closer to the event date.

Whether you are curious about mangrove restoration, interested in protecting our waterfront habitats, or simply want to deepen your connection to the place we call home, this presentation offers both insight and preparation for the restoration work ahead.

Come mingle, learn, and explore how mangroves help keep our island environment strong and resilient.