Did You Know: Fun Facts About Grassy Waters Preserve

From the City of West Palm Beach:

November 5, 2020

Interacting with nature can be a bit daunting for some of us. After all, the urban environment of downtown West Palm Beach is in very stark contrast to the swamps of Grassy Waters Preserve of West Palm Beach.

We often use conventional wisdom to explain the mysteries of nature. While many of those traditional stories have survived through the ages, they are not always based on fact. We may have been told moss always grows on the north side of a tree, never touch a baby bird, and angry snakes chase people.

These familiar narratives of nature, while legendary, are myths that we have adopted and passed down from generation to generation. When interacting with nature, consider the below “myth busters.”

MYTH #1: Moss always grows on the north side of a tree, and therefore can be used as a compass. Moss growing on the north side of trees is no myth, but the notion that it can aid with navigation has led many a hiker astray. In truth, moss can grow on every side of a tree. Any side of a tree that is consistently in the shade or damp may provide optimal conditions for moss to thrive. Dry climates and wind can inhibit the growth of moss on trees.

LESSON: Moss makes a lousy compass. Natural navigation is a complex skill best left to experts. So, when hiking, be prepared, tell someone where you are going, stay on marked trails, and always bring a phone with a full charge.

MYTH #2: If you return a baby bird to its nest, the parents will smell your scent and reject it. The origin of this myth is based on the belief that birds have a keen sense of smell. While some species use their olfactory glands to detect the fragrances of flowers and fruits to find their food, sight and sound are a bird’s most trusted senses.

LESSON: If you find a baby bird on the ground, return it to its nest, and you can proudly put a feather in your cap for coming to an animal’s rescue.

MYTH #3: Snakes chase people. In animal lore, snakes are known to “chase” people when disturbed. In nature, when serpent and people cross paths, both species are often caught off-guard. A startled snake plans an escape route, which in some instances may be in the direction we are standing. While snakes communicate with clear body language, flattening their head to look venomous, hissing, or in the case of a black racer rattling its tail. Snakes like people would prefer to turn tail and slither away to safety.

LESSON: No snakes actively hunt or chase humans. The best thing to remember with snakes is that they are cowards first, then bluffers, and lastly, warriors.

Grassy Waters Preserve is located at 8264 Northlake Blvd. in the City of West Palm Beach. Grassy Waters serves as the drinking water supply source for the City of West Palm Beach, which provides water to the Town of Palm Beach and the Town of South Palm Beach. For more information on Grassy Waters Preserve public programs available under the COVID-19 safety guidelines, call (561) 804-4895 (TTY: 800-955-8771) or visit: https://www.wpb.org/government/public-utilities/grassy-waters-preserve/public-program-calendar .

This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.