In our Facebook Group, Tony shared the following picture and asked what it was.
Kyle, a park ranger, clarified that it’s an eco-island, a floating platform designed to support marginal plants. The islands were initially anchored in the centre of the lake. A recent storm caused it to drift to the shoreline, providing an opportunity for the parks team to remove dead vegetation and sow wildflower seeds with a light layer of soil. There are plans to return it to its original position, though it requires considerable effort.
Kyle further explains the eco-islands were implemented to protect plants like yellow iris and water forget-me-nots, which were being eaten by deer along the lake’s edge. Furthermore, the roots extending from the islands create underwater habitats for fish, offering refuge from predators in the lake’s deeper areas.
This is part of ongoing strategies to protect plants from deer grazing.