The problem.
A thriving community of seabirds and raptors and a decreasing plant community to support them.
The good part.
I live in a small island in St. Petersburg, Florida. We are surrounded by a brackish water canal rich in fish, that attracts a variety of seabirds
(great blue herons, egrets, double crested cormorants, anhingas, pelicans) ospreys, dolphins. The abundance of small mammals and old trees on the island also make it a favorite spot for raptors. Just a couple of days ago I saw a juvenile bald eagle perched on a a pine tree. Great horned owls and peregrine haws have also been observed. Night herons have also established large nesting communities on the old pine trees and southern oaks on the island.
The bad part.
In the last two years pine trees have been gradually dying possibly due to pests (pine beetle?). Our old Southern oaks numbers are also declining.
Before Christmas a huge southern oak was taken down. They said the trunk was damaged by the recent hurricanes and gad a crack.
My next door neighbor said his oak might be next. A rotting disease is affecting its trunk.
The solution.
Is there something I can do? Is there a local department I can contact and ask for help assessing-treating-replacing trees?
I live in Pinellas county , Florida.
Any suggestions?