By: Isa Leen

Along the coast of Ponte Vedra is the Guana River Reserve. It is one of the few estuaries in Florida and many enjoy nature and wildlife while hiking and biking. The secret to its beauty? It is in the hands of the researchers and those willing to volunteer.  

There are 30 national estuary research reserves and three of them are in Florida. Serving as a meeting point between freshwater rivers and saltwater seas, estuaries are vital nurseries for countless marine species.  

Since preserving the area asks for a lot of hands-on work, every effort counts toward ensuring that future generations can enjoy the reserve as much as we do today. From collecting data to sea turtle patrol, the researchers would not be able to do their work without the help of volunteers.  

For volunteers, Guana is more than a place where people enjoy nature. It is a feeling of being part of something bigger.  

Tom Meister, volunteer since May 2024, is addicted to working on the reserve ever since he started. If you can’t find him out on the trails, he is probably working in the garden or at the beach. It gives him hope for the future to see young researchers work at the reserve. 

The reserve always needs more volunteers. To get involved, visit their website:  https://gtmnerr.org/volunteer/