A portion of the mangrove fringe and tidal wetlands these wading birds formerly foraged in has recently been destroyed for development purposes - but - with careful planning, the mangrove fringe surrounding these filled areas can be preserved. Through enlightened management, the remaining portion of this eco-system - though seriously impacted - can continue to provide a home for native species and the marine life so important to the health of the Indian River Lagoon and, ultimately, the Ocean beyond."

The Mangrove Garden Foundation was created to provide charitable funding for preservation of wetland environments, for the support and maintenance of educational programs conducted in the Mangrove Gardens at Carwill Oaks, and development of its bilingual educational website.

As a participant in the "Open Days Directory" The Mangrove Garden Foundation raised money through on-site ticket sales. Local beneficiary projects were McKee Botanical Garden, a public garden located on Route 1 in Vero Beach, and the Environmental Learning Center located on Route 510 were the recipients of all funds collected. These funds were designated for the restoration of these public facilities.

In addition to the "Open Days Directory" program, The Mangrove Gardens are open to visitors interested in learning how to preserve the wetlands environment and specifically, the mangroves which are so important to the fragile eco-system which supports marine life in the estuary known as the Indian River Lagoon (a.k.a. the Inland Waterway/Intra-coastal Waterway). It is important to educate the public and by example, The Mangrove Gardens, demonstrate that mankind and mangroves can thrive together. When the mangrove fringe is maintained and healthy, it provides a nursery for our rivers and ultimately provides our ocean's bounty. The tidal lagoons within the mangrove fringe provide foraging areas for wading birds - such as the Wood Stork, breeding areas for game fish - such as Snook - and nesting and breeding areas for indigenous wildlife, i.e. the Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake, the Florida Panther, Marsh Rabbits and Swamp Mice, Blue Crabs, Shrimp, various shellfish most of which are endangered species.

Visitors to the gardens not only learn about the ecology of the mangrove wetlands, they learn about the Indian River Lagoon, the spoil islands created by the Army Corps of Engineers when the Indian River Lagoon was dredged to allow for deepening of the channel that is part of the Intra-coastal Waterway (ICW) and the mosquito abatement ditches dug at the same time by the Mosquito Control District of Indian River County. Walkways through this mangrove environment take you from spoil island to spoil island within the gardens and provide an inside view of the mangrove eco-system, allowing views of spawning fish, crabs, birds, wild orchids, wild bromiliads, indigenous plants and tropical species.

It is the mission of the Mangrove Garden Foundation to provide informational links through its website to state, local, governmental, national and international research sources. Please take a few moments to review the links listed on our site. Free lecture tours are available throughout the year for groups and individuals, on an appointment basis. Our goal is to educate all those who visit to the importance of this eco-system - and to demonstrate that mankind and mangroves are not mutually exclusive but can co-exist and flourish with careful planning, not only in Florida but around the World.