Comments on: Viera Wetlands

By: Klaus Peter

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:17:25 +0000

Yes. I was actually thinking about it. Moccasin Tract is considered it’s own area and will get a separate review – but while the click ponds are not official part of the Rich Grissom Memorial Wetlands, I probably will make an addendum, pointing them out.

By: gluciano

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:02:51 +0000

Excellent write up on this area. Two things that might be added to this would be the click ponds as well as the hunting area to the west.

By: Florida Outdoors

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:21:21 +0000

Good info!

Though at least partially incorrect information from the plant manager. While it is not a Park, it is however designated as a public location by Brevard County. Stating that the area is provided by the Plant as a goodie for all us Birders out of the goodness of their hearts is just nonsense. Equally bewildering is the statement about the employees. You don’t need to be trained to have decent manners. You can ask people friendly to leave the wetlands, because they are closing. You don’t hoot, holler or even drive people almost off the road with a truck. Happened to me while they didn’t have any info on closing times posted. They simply behaved like asses. And I don’t think that this is excusable. The employee’s statement that complaints make unhappy workers is just funny and is distorting reality. Complaints make unhappy employers. And if the employer – in this case Brevard County – does not do something about it, then the complaints will pile up. As a general rule of thumb – employees neither run the business, nor do they make the rules.
For the rest – of course it’s nonsense to ask for reimbursement, if the wetlands are closed.

By: Phillip Simmons

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:04:14 +0000

That’s an interesting point about the employees. Viera isn’t set up to be a park, its really open to the public as a courtesy and the personnel are there to work at the plant and aren’t really trained to deal with the public.

I pulled this post off of Birdbrain on 12/01/2009 and I found it useful and informative. I would definitely save that number in your cell phone if you plan on heading out there.

Hi Fellow Birders,

The Wetlands have been closed (since last Wed) but are now reopened, today.
I think I’ll probably be ‘preaching to the choir’ here, but I spoke with a
gentleman from their office this morning and he requested I make this post.
He was very kind but explained that Viera Wetlands is NOT a park. They have
F/T people running the water treatment plant and that the wetlands are a
bonus to us.

They’ve been receiving numerous complaints from disgruntled people (couldn’t
be us?) who rant about having driven from Vero Beach (specifically
mentioned) …and demanding that their gas money be reimbursed. Absurd.
IF you have to drive a distance, please call their office FIRST. Plant
Office: (321) 255-4329 they will be happy to let you know if they are open
or not.
If we’ve had rain (due again here tomorrow) they will most likely close.

The employee also made it clear that too many complaints make unhappy
workers, as is the case in any situation; and if we want the Wetlands to
remain open, we will hopefully be a bit more hospitable. He DID say that he
doubted it was ‘this’ group…However, there is always someone whose glass
is viewed half empty, so—Be kind, please and thank you. We ALL want this
great place to be available to us, yes?
Have a GREAT day. I mean it.