Sandspur Island facts for kids
Sandspur Island, also known as Beer Can Island, is a special place in Biscayne Bay, Florida. It's the biggest "spoil island" in the bay. This island is part of the Oleta River State Park. Sandspur Island is about 15 acres big. You can only get to this island by boat.
How Sandspur Island Was Made
Long ago, in the early 1900s, people dug up the bottom of Biscayne Bay. This digging was called "dredging." They did this to make paths for boats and places for ships to dock. The dirt and sand they dug up were piled into new islands. This is how Sandspur Island and over twenty other islands were created. Some natural mangrove islands were also partly filled in.
Plants and Animals of the Island
Sandspur Island is home to many different plants and animals. You might even see wild raccoons there! The island has a swampy area in the south. Many tall coconut palm trees grow all over the island.
The island has different kinds of natural areas:
- In the north, you'll find coconut trees, mangrove trees, and other leafy trees. There are also flowering plants and open grassy spots.
- In 1993, people worked to restore the island. They planted native plants that naturally grow in coastal areas.
What Else You Can Find
In the southern part of the island, you can still see some Australian pine trees. These trees are not native to Florida and can take over an area. There are two main groups of these trees left. One group is in the southeast, and another is near a small pond. There is also a swampy area close to a creek.
Along the eastern side of the island, there are rocks. These rocks were placed there to stop the land from washing away. Mangrove trees grow in the water that flows around these rocks. There is also a small beach area where you can relax.
