Viera Wetlands Field Trip

I’m warning you right up front, this is a very long post. Most stories about the Viera Wetlands focus on the birds, but we're going to talk about what it is, how to get there, and what to expect. If you already know those things, speed read!

Just a few years ago, the Viera Wetlands was one of Brevard’s best-kept secrets. Besides the County employees that worked at the South Central Water Reclamation Facility where the Wetlands is located, only a few nature photographers (including Jim, Matt, and Charlie, of course) knew about it and they told NOBODY! But all good things come to an end - now the area is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and draws over 60,000 visitors a year.

The Wetlands is part of Brevard County’s wastewater reuse system. It is the property of the Brevard County Utility Services and managed by the Natural Resources Management Office. It opened to the public in 2000. In late 2007, it was renamed the Rich Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera in honor of a long-time Brevard County employee killed in a traffic accident on his way to work.

The Wetlands consists of 200 acres divided by berms into four cells (ponds) around a central lake. The cells are numbered Cell 1, Cell 2, Cell 3, and Cell 4. As you are driving into the Reclamation Facility (observing the 15 MPH speed limit please), notice the bright blue water tank. Reclaimed water is stored in this tank and then pumped into cells 1 and 2, then into the lake, then into cells 3 and 4. At each step, the water is “polished” for irrigation or overflow into the adjacent Four-mile Canal.

Let us digress here for a moment to talk about reclaimed water. According to the very interesting Brevard County Utility Services web site, Reclaimed water is wastewater effluent that has been highly treated and filtered, resulting in a high quality water suitable for lawn irrigation and many other purposes. The process creates a virtual playground for wildlife, and we are so fortunate that our County makes this water treatment facility accessible to the public.

To get to the Wetlands, you’ll drive in through the Water Reclamation Facility itself – buildings, water tanks, trucks, and all. (Our Just the Facts section at the end of this post will give you excruciatingly explicit directions.) In the Reference Links section of Just the Facts, there's a link to print out a Viera Wetlands Visitor’s Guide. It has the map shown above, plus a dandy wildlife checklist. You can also pick up this guide and other interesting brochures at the Water Reclamation Facility Ops Building just inside the chain link gate. (This is NOT a Wetlands information office. You can pick up your brochures there, right inside the front door, but then just go about your business!) You'll keep driving through the water tanks and trucks, following a few signs, until you reach a parking lot with two handy portolets. You can park and then ride your bicycle or hike, or you can just keep on driving on the berm roads around the cells and lake, being sure to follow the arrows on the map above and provided in the Visitor’s Guide.

Photographer extraordinaire Charlie Corbeil was kind enough to give me a guided tour of the Wetlands a few weeks ago. Charlie goes to the Wetlands daily and knows it and its critters like the back of his hand. What you see depends upon what time of year it is, of course. We saw moorhens, coots, a red-bellied woodpecker, killdeer, grackles, great blue herons, otters, wood storks, anhingas, glossy ibis, white ibis, alligators, a pied-billed grebe, a least bittern, tri-color herons, and bald eagles, and those were just the ones I managed to write down! Early morning and late afternoon are best for bird-watching. Check out Charlie’s web site (see Reference Links) for some stunning, award-winning photographs of Wetlands inhabitants.

If you love birds and wildlife and nature and stunning landscape and beautiful sunrises and sunsets – this is the place for you. It’s Brevard’s version of a Magic Kingdom.

Viera Wetlands

Just the Facts

"BIG PICTURE" LOCATION: Central Brevard, Mainland, Viera

WHEN TO GO: Sunrise to Sunset, Monday through Sunday. If there has been a lot of rain, you might want to call to see if the berm roads are open. 321-637-5521

HOW TO GET THERE: From Wickham Road and I-95, keep going west, past Wal-Mart, straight through the only roundabout in Brevard County (there to preserve the tree). Keep going straight for about two miles, past the Church of Viera, Duran Golf Course, and Heritage Isles. Focus on that huge cell tower straight ahead. Drive in through the chain link gate. If you need a Visitor's Guide, stop at the Ops Bldg. Then drive through the trucks and tanks, following the speed limit. (Click on photos to enlarge.) map

WHERE TO PARK: There’s a parking lot if you plan to bicycle or hike. Otherwise, just drive in along the berm roads.

WHAT TO WEAR: If you plan to tour the Wetlands via automobile, you can wear your Sunday best! Otherwise, wear comfortable shoes. Remember sunscreen, water, and mosquito repellant if you plan to walk or bicycle around the cells and lake.

PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS: One of the wonderful aspects of the Wetlands is that you can remain in your automobile and take pictures out the car window. There are also a couple of benches where you can sit and admire the view and the critters. There are portolets in the parking lot.

HOW LONG TO STAY: It does not take long to drive around the cells and lake, so how long you stay depends on how intrigued you are with all the wildlife. If you rush, you’ll miss a lot. I’d plan on at least an hour, and longer if you plan to take photographs.

WHAT TO DO: You can drive, walk, or bicycle. It is a wildlife photographer’s heaven, and you don’t need to be a professional to get some beautiful pictures. This is Florida – our wildlife has been trained to pose for photos! There’s an observation tower and a gazebo near the lake.

You can even walk your dog, but pets must remain attended and on leashes at all times. Be advised that there are alligators – pay attention to the signage and keep yourself and your pet on the road. Swimming, wading, hunting, or fishing are NOT allowed.

BRING MONEY? No, this is FREE!

WHERE TO EAT AFTERWARDS: Head back to the tree roundabout and bear left. You’ll arrive at The Avenue Viera, with shopping and restaurants. Or, travel straight down Wickham - there are numerous restaurants close by.

HOW TO HELP: Do not drive on the turf. Stay on designated roadways. Do not annoy the wildlife. Follow the Principles of Birding Ethics. Don’t hog the berm road – if you’re going to stop, pull over as far as you safely can. And of course, don’t litter.

REFERENCE LINKS:
Viera Wetlands
Viera Wetlands Visitor’s Guide
Brevard County Utility Services, Reclaimed Water Information
Berms
Charlie Corbeil
The Avenue Viera
Principles of Birding Ethics

A LITTLE EXTRA:
This sign at the entrance to the Rich Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera features a photograph taken by my guide, Charlie Corbeil (shown here).