Nature Bridges Blog

Conservationists talk often about efforts to protect wildlife, and many people think about animals first when discussing efforts to reduce human effects on the planet. Plant conservation is just as important. Endangered Plant Species There are more than 700 species of endangered plants in the United States today, and each of these are important in their own way. The West Indies mahogany tree is prized for its resistance to insects and rot. In Florida and other areas where it grows naturally, experts estimate that its population has decreased as much as 29% over the last few generations. Another valuable plant […]

Read More… from Plant Conservation: What it Means

Most people know that you need a building permit before starting a new home or office building, but you also need permits for many bridges. Knowing when you need a permit can be difficult to navigate, but it can save you from paying fines and other costs. When Do You Need a Permit? Florida’s code gives private landowners a general permit to build certain bridges or culverted driveways on their land, but only for drainage purposes, and there are other requirements. The bridge must be 50 feet or less from the top of one bank to the other, and there […]

Read More… from Bridge Permits: What You Need to Know Before We Build

When you walk down to the water on a sunny day, you’re probably thinking of enjoying the weather and playing in the water. Hunting for seashells is another popular beach activity. Sometimes, you’ll see a seagull, jellyfish, or a school of dolphins. These are amazing sights, and some that people often watch for while on the shore. Marine life is interesting, and there are many ways to see it up close. Watching Marine Life There are many ways to see dolphins or other marine life. Quietly watch aquatic animals that spend time on land from the beach. Observe animals from […]

Read More… from Observing Marine Creatures: The Best Way to See Them

Boardwalks help protect the ecosystem in dunes, wetlands, and other sensitive areas by keeping foot traffic off the valuable plants. Like other walkways, however, they need to be maintained. The wood, concrete, or even composite structure can degrade over time, and sometimes repairs need to be made. Treating the material for additional durability, cleaning, and inspections should all be completed regularly. DIY Maintenance versus Professional Maintenance In many cases, it’s entirely reasonable to maintain a boardwalk or any other wooden structure yourself, and we previously put together a blog with some tips to help you. The advantage to doing the […]

Read More… from Boardwalk Maintenance: Why Outsourcing is Often Best

We’re nearing the end of National Golf Month, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll stop thinking about golfing in a few days! Golf is one of the favorite sports in the United States with over hundreds of millions of rounds played every year. More than 9 million people watched the Masters Tournament in 2021. Golf is popular, but it would be difficult to cover the entire course on foot. Golf carts are important to playing the game, and that means that golf cart bridges are essential. Why Golf Cart Bridges are Special Golf cart bridges span over streams and any […]

Read More… from How to Make Your Golf Course Great – with Bridges!

Many people are fascinated by birds. Some are colorful, some are majestic, and most of all – they have the ability to fly. It’s always exciting to see a bird that you’ve never seen before, and it’s easy to see them in a variety of environments. If you want to start bird watching as a hobby, there are some easy ways to get started. Get the Tools You don’t necessarily need any equipment to watch birds, as long as you just want to watch without knowing the type of bird or see them too closely. If you want to make […]

Read More… from The Basics of Birdwatching

There are several concerns when building in the water, especially in sensitive areas like wetlands and oceans. One of these, of course, is the environmental impact. Nature Bridges helps preserve these habitats by using top down construction and planning appropriately. Construction of boardwalks and other walkways in water also require special attention because of the effects of water over time. Marine Building Materials Over time, moisture – and especially standing water – can impact structural and decking components of any structure built in or around it. While Nature Bridges and other construction companies use several types of building materials, there […]

Read More… from Marine Construction: What We Need to Remember

Wetlands are a vital part of our environment, but not one that many people consider when talking about preservation. These swampy areas may seem like an environment we can do without because they are more difficult to build on or walk through, but there are many reasons that keeping them intact and thriving are beneficial. Wetland Ecosystems Wetlands comprise several different types of habitats. Marshes and swamps are possibly the most well-known, but bogs and fens are also types of wetlands. While they’re very similar in that they’re mostly covered by water, each type of wetland is a little different. […]

Read More… from Preserving the Wetlands

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk is a part of Neabsco Regional Park in Woodbridge, VA. This ¾ mile boardwalk allows visitors the opportunity to cross Neabsco Creek and access the wetlands in the area. Wetlands such as these are home to a variety of plants and animals, and nearly all of them need the wetlands to survive. The marshes at Neabsco are home to animals such as the great blue heron, muskrats, raccoons, northern water snakes, diamondback terrapin, and even a variety of crustaceans such as the marsh crab. Killifish, mummichog, and many other fish swim through the waters here. Plants include […]

Read More… from How Top Down Construction Preserves the Environment at Neabsco Creek

The earliest bridges were very simple to construct. Some of them were even made by nature, such as a log falling over a stream. Ancient people used logs, stones, and anything else they found nearby to build a structure that would allow them to cross a short distance. These early bridge builders were quick and efficient in their work. The bridges worked, but they did have their own problems. Load One of the most important design considerations is whether the bridge will support the load it’s intended to hold. Bridge designers like Nature Bridges make extensive calculations to determine how […]

Read More… from Bridge Construction: What You Don’t Know