Thousands of baby mangrove trees planted around Pine Island last year to replace ones previously damaged or destroyed by hurricanes have taken root and grown up to a foot. Nearly all of the mangrove propagules that were planted on Benedict Key in Pine Island Sound in 2021 are bearing green leaves, which provide shade for the tiny creatures in the water below and food for things like the aptly-named mangrove tree crab in branches above.
Tropical Storm Bonnie is expected to form sometime Thursday, forecasters say, adding that its forecast track doesn't impact Florida, let alone the entire U.S.