It leased them back to the City of Cocoa Beach in 1991, providing that the islands be used for recreation and conservational efforts.

The stratigraphic characteristics of a flood tide delta deposit include the existence of a layer of plain sand (often containing terrestrial vegetation debris) sandwiched between sediments containing numerous small bivalve mollusc shells that are indicative of deposition in a normal lagoon environment.

[clarification needed][2] This uneven sand layer lacking shells suggests an interruption in the normal accretion of benthic sediments by a rapid deposition of dune material being washed in by severe wave action.

The formation comprises approximately 900 acres (360 ha) of salt marsh, mangroves, spoil sites containing upland vegetation, and maritime hammocks on shell middens.

[4] Beginning in the late 1950s, small ditches were dug through the islands to allow water movement and fish access to inner areas of the succulent marsh for mosquito control.

[citation needed] The transition zone between salt marsh and upland is dominated by bushy seaside oxeye (Borrichia frutescens (L.) DC.)

Uplands have been colonized by several native plant species, including Florida swamp privet (Forestiera segregata (Jacq.)

[citation needed] The state of Florida and Cocoa Beach purchased the islands north of Minutemen Causeway in 1988.

Despite the Category I status of Australian pine,[12] removal of trees in ecological restoration can be controversial among the lay public.

[13] In the EEL-managed Thousand Islands Conservation Area, replanting has been used following removal of Australian pine, but the effects are modest, with native recruitment out-pacing planted species.