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Couple Fights Erosion on Own Florida Keys Islands
1 Sep
Summary
- Islands bought in mid-2010s are shrinking and reshaping.
- Erosion control involves stacking rocks and replanting mangroves.
- Stewardship efforts aim to preserve vanishing Florida Keys land.
Frank and Monica Woll acquired two small islands in the Florida Keys, known as the Molasses Keys, around the mid-2010s. After years managing a busy outfitting business on Key Largo, they sought a quieter retirement focused on environmental stewardship. Their ownership became a lesson in the dramatic impact of hurricanes on low-lying islands.
The Wolls treated their purchase as a conservation project, allowing limited day visitors and campers who agreed to leave no trace. The islands are environmentally sensitive, home to nesting birds and protected mangrove species. However, their location on the Atlantic side of the Keys makes them vulnerable to major storms.
Scientists have documented significant land loss on similar islands after hurricanes. For instance, a study after Hurricane Irma in 2017 showed a substantial reduction in island width and vegetation. While a precise measurement for the Molasses Keys since 2016 is unavailable, they face similar exposure risks.
Since taking ownership, the islands have visibly shrunk and reshaped. The Wolls have undertaken manual erosion control methods, including reinforcing shorelines with rocks and planting mangrove seedlings. This ongoing effort aims to counteract the powerful forces of wind and surge that can reshape these islands in a single tide cycle.
