Restoration of Florida’s Robinson Preserve Benefits Fish, Visitors, and Local Economy

Investments in the restoration of Florida's Robinson Preserve are paying off for fish, visitors, and the local economy, according to a recent economic study and fisheries monitoring results. The 700-acre coastal preserve-once degraded farmland-now supports a healthy sportfish population, attracts about 240,000 visitors each year, and generates millions of dollars in economic activity.

Manatee County, Florida, with support from NOAA Fisheries and other project partners, spent about $17 million transforming the farmland into a haven for fish and nature lovers. Robinson Preserve now features wetlands and mangrove forests, along with recreational amenities such as walking and paddling trails and wildlife observation towers.

Economic Benefits of Restoration

A new economic study funded by NOAA found that the restoration project:

• Supported 239 jobs
• Generated $12.7 million in income for workers
• Produced $32.7 million in total economic activity

But the economic benefits didn't stop when construction ended. Researchers also learned that outdoor recreation at Robinson Preserve supports an additional 25 jobs and generates more than $3 million in economic activity each year.

All told, the restoration supported about 16 jobs for every $1 million invested.

"Recreation continues long after the backhoes and shovels leave the site," said Economist James Maples, coauthor of the study. "When restored places are open to the public, visitors keep coming for years, and that activity supports local businesses."

Survey results show that both local residents and tourists visit Robinson Preserve, with many returning repeatedly. Most visitors come to use the Preserve's walking and biking trails, while others cite kayaking, birdwatching, and fishing as reasons for their visit.

"This project shows what's possible when a community chooses to invest in the environment," said Mike Elswick, division manager for Manatee County's Natural Resources Department. "Beyond conservation, Robinson Preserve delivers massive public health benefits. It gives people a reason to get up, get outside, and experience the natural world."

Restoring Habitat for Fish

The original 482-acre farmland property had been slated for development until Manatee County acquired the land in 2003. The county led an effort to restore wetland habitat, remove invasive species, and plant native vegetation at the site. NOAA supported the restoration through our Community-based Restoration Program , alongside other partners. We completed this first phase of restoration in 2008 and the area was opened to the public. Robinson Preserve quickly became a favorite destination for wildlife and people alike.

A few years after the first round of restoration, an additional donation of land expanded the preserve by 150 acres. With funding from the RESTORE Council , NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation and its partners restored nearly 135 acres of coastal habitat, including shellfish habitat, seagrasses, mangroves, and salt- and freshwater wetlands. The project was one of five NOAA has supported under Connecting Coastal Waters, an initiative that restores Gulf Coast wetlands under the RESTORE Act after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill .

The second phase of restoration focused on creating habitat to support popular Florida sport fish, including common snook and tarpon.

"Creating nursery habitat for these species was especially important because sportfishing plays such a large role in Florida's economy," said Kris Kaufman, a NOAA marine habitat restoration specialist who has managed the project since 2017. The American Sportfishing Association estimates that recreational fishing contributes about $13.9 billion in economic impact each year.

Juvenile snook need the calm, protected waters found in coastal wetlands and mangrove forests to survive. Fisheries biologists, restoration ecologists, and civil engineers designed features to protect juvenile fish from predators.

To make it more challenging for larger fish to reach juveniles, the project team created water features with restricted access. This mimicked natural coastal ponds and creeks used by snook and tarpon as nursery habitat. They also planted mangroves in strategic locations to act as barriers. By minimizing the number of large fish predators entering the nursery, juveniles could eat and grow in relative safety. The project created habitat that seemed ideal for fish, but scientists still needed to see if it would be successful.

Measuring Restoration Success

NOAA Fisheries funded a 3-year monitoring study at Robinson Preserve to determine whether the restored habitats were functioning as intended. Researchers monitored water levels, sampled fish communities, and tagged fish to track their movement through the preserve and into the surrounding estuary.

Surveys found high numbers of juvenile sport fish-including snook, sheepshead, and red drum-using the restored wetlands. Scientists also noted that snook in Robinson Preserve were growing as fast, or faster, than those in other restored or natural habitats in the region.

"We found that the restoration created high-quality nursery habitat," said Kaufman. "The protected areas helped reduce predation on young fish, and the habitats also provided abundant prey so the fish could grow."

Monitoring also showed that the nursery habitat contributes to the broader fish population in Tampa Bay. Tagged snook were observed leaving the preserve during summer spawning season and returning later in the year, suggesting they successfully reproduced.

Partners

The habitat restoration, monitoring, and outreach efforts at Robinson Preserve has involved many partners, including:

• RESTORE Council
• Manatee County
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
• Tampa Bay Estuary Program
• Southwest Florida Water Management District
• Oyster River Ecology, Inc.