The principal investigator for this restoration project at Indian River lagoon works at cutting Brazilian Pepper out of the canopy.

Cutting Brazilian Pepper from mangrove habitat.

This image shows the area cleared during the restoration. Mangroves are in the foreground.

Mangrove seedlings are placed in PVC pipes to protect them from boat wakes caused by boats traveling at high speeds in the shallow estuarine waters of the Indian River Lagoon. The PVC protects them until they are large enough to establish themselves in the marine environment. The mangrove seedlings in the PVC are approximately one year old plants.

Mangrove seedlings are placed in PVC pipes to protect them from boat wakes caused by boats traveling at high speeds in the shallow estuarine waters of the Indian River Lagoon. The PVC protects them until they are large enough to establish themselves in the marine environment. The mangrove seedlings in the PVC are approximately one year old plants.

A one year old mangrove seedling is protected from high speed boat wakes by a PVC cage.

A group of mangrove seedlings are protected by PVC pipes at a marina in Florida.

One year old mangrove seedlings are protected from high speed boat wakes by a PVC cage.

One year old mangrove seedlings are protected from high speed boat wakes by a PVC cage.

An aerial view of Chandeleur Islands.

An aerial view of Chandeleur Islands.

Spartina alterniflora plants stockpiled prior to planting.

Contractor drilling holes in sand flat, dropping in fertilizer pellet and then planting.

Contractor and NMFS manager explaining the project to the media.

A view of the area after the plants were installed.

A view of the area after the plants were installed.

A view of the area after the plants were installed.

A view of the area after the plants were installed.

A view of the area after the plants were installed.

A view of the area after the plants were installed.

Plants showing one year of growth from the pilot test project.

Contractor drilling holes in sand flat, dropping in fertilizer pellet and then planting.

Reporters photographing pilot test plantings.

A juvenile blue crab in the shallow waters near the plantings.

A series of recently installed plants.

A close - up of a recently installed plant.

A wooden bulkhead protects the end of an oil and gas pipeline on the Gulf of Mexico. The restoration was conducted to fortify this area as it filled repeatedly with water.

Area 2; southeast view of the bulkhead, beach and dunes.

Area 2; southeast view from the bulkhead looking down the beach towards Area 1.

Area 2; a northwest view of the bulkhead.

Area 2; a northwest view of the beach and dunes.

Between areas 1 and 2, a northwest view of the beach and dunes. Placing rock to fortify the shoreline and beach and maintain a separation between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Canal.

Area 1; a southeast view of the narrowest section of beach that shows evidence of overwashing.

Area 1; a southeast view of the narrowest section of beach showing evidence of overwashing.

Area 1; a southeast view of the narrowest section of beach showing evidence of overwashing.

Southeast of area 1; the northwest view of the beach area fronting the eastern end of Mobile Canal.

Southeast of area 1; a southeast view of the beach area fronting the eastern end of Mobile Canal.

Southeast of area 1; a north northeast view from the beach towards Mobile Canal showing part of the Mobile Oil facility in the background.

The Mobile Oil facility off Mobile Canal.

Area 1; a south southwest view from Mobile Canal looking across the narrowest section of beach. The Gulf of Mexico is in the background.

Roles of geofabric cloth (white) and geogrid (black) on the beach. These materials were used extensively in the restoration.

A close up of the breach at ground view.

A crane loads rock from the barge into a truck.

Another view of the crane loading rock into the truck.

Plug 4 at the south end of Transco Canal.

Another view of the plug 4 at the south end of Transco Canal.

Plug 6 at the Transco Canal.

An aerial view of the construction. Placing a roll of filter cloth and geogrid on the surface, rock is then placed on top of the fabric.

Between areas 1 and 2, a northwest view of the beach and dunes.

An aerial view of the construction at area 1.