Cypress Saplings Are Thriving at Douglas Slough
Back in January 2026, our Riverkeeper, Cameron Baxley, and a dedicated group of volunteers headed to Douglas Slough to plant cypress saplings as part of the ongoing restoration efforts. Douglas Slough had recently undergone a dredging project funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to reopen natural water flow after years of erosion had blocked the channel. Restoring this connection allows nutrient-rich water to once again reach the slough, creating healthier habitat for fish, wildlife, and native vegetation.
July 6th, 2026, Cameron led another crew back to Douglas Slough for a little “yard work” to check on those young cypress trees and give them the best chance at survival. Joining the effort was Rebecca Means with Conservation Pathways and three of her summer interns, making a team of six ready to tackle the task.
The skies were a little gloomy, but the water was calm as we made our way up the Chipola River toward Douglas Slough. Along the way, we stopped at Spider Cut to check on the cypress saplings planted there. When we arrived at Douglas Slough, the mosquitoes were already waiting for us! Armed with good spirits, generous amounts of bug spray, and plenty of determination, we began searching for our tiny cypress trees hidden among the thick summer growth.
With six of us working together, hearing someone call out, “Found one!” became frequent. One by one, the flagged saplings emerged from a jungle of vegetation. Even better, we discovered several volunteer cypress seedlings that had sprouted naturally. We carefully cleared competing vegetation around both the planted and naturally occurring saplings, giving each one more room, sunlight, and opportunity to thrive.
As the morning wore on, an approaching storm and relentless swarms of mosquitoes reminded us it was time to wrap up. We didn’t bring chainsaws or shovels this trip, but we accomplished plenty with the tools we had and left knowing these young trees now have an even better chance to grow.
The ride back to the boat ramp came with a warm shower courtesy of Mother Nature. Wet, muddy, and smiling, we reflected on another successful morning helping restore this incredible place.
We’ll be back. Mosquitoes and summer storms can’t keep an Apalachicola Riverkeeper down!
Every cypress tree planted today helps strengthen tomorrow’s floodplain forest, improving water quality, providing wildlife habitat, and ensuring the Apalachicola River remains healthy for generations to come.
Amanda James 7/6/26