Let’s take a look at each of these unique ecosystems
The benefits natural areas provide
The part you play in their protection

EEL: The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program

The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program is in the rather unusual business of buying high value pineland and other natural areas from willing sellers and NOT developing them. Thanks to their efforts, they protect environmentally endangered lands containing natural forest, wetland or native plant communities. These areas also feature rare and endangered plants and animals and often times function as an integral and sustaining component of an existing ecosystem.

The EEL Program & its partners have brought more than 18,350 acres of Environmentally  Endangered Lands into public ownership since 1990.  Additionally, the EEL Program manages nearly 3,000 acres of natural lands within Miami-Dade County Parks, for a total of more than 21,000 acres protected.  The purchase and conservation of these lands ensure that they are shielded from development and will continue to thrive as natural habitats:

• 631 acres of rockridge pineland
• 272 acres of tropical hardwood hammock
• 19 acres of scrub habitat
• 16,809 acres of freshwater wetlands
• 620 acres of coastal wetlands

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Let’s take a look at each of these unique ecosystems

Pine rockland is designated globally imperiled habitat that occurs south of Kendall to part of the Bahamas and nowhere else in the world. It is one of the most diverse plant communities in southern Florida, featuring over 225 types of native plants. The pine rocklands consist of dominant slash pines which tower above an understory which includes everything from saw palmettos and beauty berries, to broom grasses and silver palms.

Tropical hardwood hammock is another unique but also imperiled plant community. These ecosystems, which occur on the limestone Miami rock ridge that runs along the Atlantic Coast of South Florida, contains tropical tree species, shrubs, ferns, bromeliads and orchids.

Scrub habitat is actually one of the oldest habitats in Florida. It is made up of sandy island ridges formed from ancient coastal dunes. A scrub landscape has open sandy areas scattered with tall pines, short oak and palmetto trees, and small herbaceous plants.

Besides the “dry” ecosystems mentioned above, EEL also protects these “wet” habitats:

Freshwater wetlands are partly made up of marshes. The largest of these wetlands being the Everglades, which like all marshes, consist mostly of herbaceous plants and grasses.

Coastal wetlands are different in that they contain saltwater. They consist of marshes and mangrove swamps and offer an important habitat for a wide variety of organisms that rely on the area as a nursery ground. In addition, saltwater wetlands provide protection against coastal erosion even helping to help protect shoreline against hurricanes.

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The benefits natural areas provide

Open space is important for livability. Natural areas provide recreational opportunities, helping to reduce stress and promote a healthier lifestyle.  But the benefits of these habitats don’t end there – they also provide a buffer to the development that surrounds us, help recharge our drinking water aquifer and prevent flooding during heavy rains.
Truth is that acquiring, managing and protecting our natural areas isn’t only necessary, more importantly it’s vital.

Because of the rapid and consistent increase in population and development, there are constant threats to our unique habitats of pinelands, hammocks and wetlands. It’s essential for every resident to understand just how important it is to protect these areas that provide everything from coastal erosion protection to safe haven for a number of endangered species.  Without the work of the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, these habitats would be lost forever to development.

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The part you play in their protection

Whether you live by one of these natural areas, use some for recreation or simply have a desire to help with their protection, there is plenty you can do as a resident to lend a hand.

• Volunteer your time to assist in protecting and enhancing our natural areas. For information please call 305-257-0933 or visit miamidade.gov/parks/preservation.asp
• If you live adjacent to one of these unique habitats, it’s crucial that you not litter them with your landscape debris which can hold seed source or vegetative material that results in the growth of invasive plant species.
• Do not use natural areas for illegal dumping. Discarded items like old tires, broken kitchen appliances and even used oil barrels are a big problem. Be a part of the solution by properly disposing of these items.
• Plant native trees. They not only have increased survival rates during hurricanes and drought conditions but they also attract native wildlife. If you’re not sure which native trees to plant in your yard, you can either visit DERM’s website at miamidade.gov/derm for a list of suggestions or call Miami-Dade’s Cooperative Extension Service at 305-248-3311.
• To further attract wildlife, consider providing a birdbath or pond.  You can also provide a food source with the help of bird feeders.

Getting involved with your surroundings helps in creating a better environment. But, creating a sense of stewardship among our residents doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long process of getting people involved and interested in respecting and preserving our unique ecosystems.

Whether you enjoy the outdoor recreation they provide or simply the view they offer, having wetlands, pinelands and hammocks as part of our landscape is important. Especially important is preserving the natural history of South Florida for the enjoyment of future generations. As Henry David Thoreau once said, if there’s one thing we can never have enough of is nature.

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