Mirror Lake Gateway Demonstration Project: �Phase 1 Overview

Margaret Zak, Vice-President

Jennifer Faller, Lake Champion

Stewards of Our Urban Lakes Inc. (SoUL)

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Presented to

Tampa Bay Estuary Program

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

May 24 2024

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SOUL Projects 2024

2

Winston

Jungle

Round

Mirror

Crescent

Eagle Crest

Meadowlawn

• SoUL’s mission: to improve water quality and restore the natural habitat of urban lakes through the education and engagement of our communities.

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• A 501c3 not-for-profit organization

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• Grew from Friends of Crescent Lake since 2007

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What We Proposed

• Convert 1,903 square feet of lake shoreline dominated by exotic and invasive plants to a natural, native upland and wetland habitat mosaic.
• Conduct follow-up weed removal.
• Conduct quarterly lake cleanups.
• Share knowledge (social media, neighborhood meetings)

Additional area

What We Accomplished

• Converted 4,300 square feet to a natural, native upland and wetland habitat of pollinator-friendly plants.
• Implemented weed barrier technique on designated site and added a pilot installation on north lake shoreline.
• Installed 720 plants comprised of 27 native species.
• Conducted monthly lake cleanups, removing 1,307 lbs of debris and 6,580 lbs of invasive plants over 1,009 volunteer-hours.
• Promoted project on multiple platforms and neighborhood meetings.
• Total In-Kind Match: $71,358.
• Ratio In-Kind to Contract – 20:1

What We Are Working on Now �(Phase 2 Mini-Grant Underway)

Complete shoreline rehabilitation and re-vegetate native pollinator garden

Features

• Approach
• “In-fill” planting area (early 2024)
• Remove shoreline muck/tussocks
• Install and plant weed barrier on north shoreline
• Maintain planting areas monthly
• Installed 3 new Water Goats
• Maintain Water Goats
• Benefits
• Increased native plant diversity
• Cost-effective maintenance
• Significant aesthetic improvements

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New Water Goats

Acknowledgements and Thanks:�We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!

Support

Funding

• Tampa Bay Estuary Program
• Surfing’s Evolution and Preservation – Three Water Goats
• Armando Lopes
• Slagle Foundation

Boats and Plants

• GoKo Kayak Rental
• Sweetbay Nursery
• Florida Natives Nursery
• Amplex Nursery