Marine Discovery Center - New Smyrna Beach, Florida (Volusia-Flager Surfrider Chapter)

Description

The Volusia-Flagler Chapter’s Ocean Friendly Gardens Committee chose the headquarters of the Marine Discovery Center (MDC) in New Smyrna Beach as their first project. There were several locations and possibilities onsite that were offered. Though the site they chose did not have an obvious rainwater retention component (remember R in CPR), they thought that Surfrider members as well as the public could learn from it more given its high visibility.

The Chapter partnered with MDC and Shangri La Landscaping, a local landscaping company. Discussions and meeting with Shangri La and MDC occurred prior to the Garden Assistance Party (GAP) workday to go over the requirements of the OFG criteria as well as other information. Shangri La did most of the directing during the GAP, and Chapter OFG activists weighed in to insure it followed the OFG criteria. The design creates a "moat/dry creek bed" around the perimeter, which was filled with reclaimed oyster shells to capture any run off from the sloping garden. At various times throughout the day, about 25 people participated in installing the garden.