Aquatic Preserve Program

Most of lands surrounding Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve are state and federally owned conservation lands. However, the aquatic preserve is still experiencing a gradual decline in estuarine habitat, partly due to water quality and sedimentation. Staff have several strategies to deal with these issues.

Improving degraded water quality in the Pensacola Bay Watershed is a main priority for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Much of the decline in habitat throughout, including seagrass, can be attributed to a reduction in water quality from decreased light penetration. The degradation in water quality can be attributed to several factors including point and non-point pollution sources impacting Blackwater and East bays.

Project GreenShores is a multimillion dollar habitat restoration and creation project in downtown Pensacola along the urban shoreline of Pensacola Bay. This habitat restoration effort partners DEP's Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves with the city of Pensacola, Escambia County, the Ecosystem Restoration Support Organization, the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S.