Editing Eastern Prickly Pear (section)

===== April 28, 2012 =====

On April 28, 2012, I conducted a field exploration of the Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point during which I explored the relatively small nature preserve for ''Opuntia humifusa'' which, based upon my previous research, were likely to found along the beach boardwalk.  This exploration involved a very short walk from the parking area to the boardwalk, as well as a brief off-trail survey of the area in which the cacti were discovered.  In total, my route covered approximately 0.29 miles.

Congruent with the claims discovered during my research, ''O. humifusa'' were visible from the short boardwalk which traverses a series of dunes and terminates at the seashore.  In many cases, these plants were only one to two feet from the boardwalk, unobstructed by any railings.

Although the boardwalk offered access to a few cacti, it was clear that other cacti could be found deeper in the dunes which were obstructed from view by various trees and shrubs.  In order to obtain a rough estimate of the total number of cacti on the property, I left the boardwalk and conducted a survey of all those portions of preserve which could reasonably be accessed by foot.  In total, I was able count 19 individual ''O. humifusa'' spread out over an area of approximately 1/2 acre.  Since my investigation of the dunes was not exhaustive, it is fair to say that my count is strictly a conservative estimate of the total cacti growing at Milford Point.