The Crew Land & Water Trust maintains the 60,000 acre preserve system for the South Florida Water Management District. Their mission as a non-profit conservation organization is dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of the water resources and natural communities in and around the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW).
Peat is a naturally occurring soil-like material primarily resulting from decomposing plants. It forms in a water-saturated environment where the rate of buildup of plant material exceeds the rate of decay. The rate of buildup of peat is difficult to measure and is affected by site-specific conditions. In Florida, the rate of peat buildup has been estimated to be less than 6 inches per 100 years.
Peat may be classified based on the percentage of plant fibers it contains. Florida’s horticultural industry requires peat with a high percentage of fibers for potting soils. Mucky (low fiber) peat may be used as a general soil amendment.