Volunteers join the County's effort to restore and preserve precious natural areas
(MIAMI, September 23, 2014) – The Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program and the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Department are kicking off the 2014/2015 EEL Volunteer Workdays season at the Florida City Pineland Preserve on Thursday, September 25. The Florida City Pineland Preserve is located at Palm Drive and SW 8th Avenue in Florida City and the event runs from 9 a.m. until noon.
Volunteers of all ages will help to clean up, protect and enhance a rare and delicate habitat at this event in South Dade. Dozens of volunteers are expected to participate and together, they will contribute toward the restoration of this unique plant community. During the Workday, volunteers will be taught to identify various invasive non-native plants while gaining a greater understanding of these ecosystems. They will also help to remove weeds and debris from this site, thus helping to keep this precious natural area clean. Community service hours are available for students who participate.
Natural areas in Miami-Dade County include hammocks, pinelands, freshwater wetlands, mangrove forests, and other habitats that once covered vast acreage throughout the county. Now only remnants of some of these ecosystems remain. These habitats, and the plants and animals that live there, are all a part of the County’s natural heritage and a resource to be treasured and protected for generations to come.
The EEL Program is a part of the Miami-Dade County Department Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM). “The control of invasive non-native plants, that impact our unique habitats, is considered one of the most critical elements in managing our natural areas. Now more than ever, the EEL Program needs the support of the entire community to restore and maintain our natural areas,” said Lee M. Hefty, DERM Director.
“Conservation is one of the cornerstones of our department, because we recognize the importance of protecting the environment that sustains us,” said PROS Director Jack Kardys. “We are proud to participate in and support the Volunteer Workday Season to help fulfill the need to manage and wisely steward South Florida’s precious natural areas, including its plants and wildlife. Public engagement and support is vital to the cause.”
For more information, call 305-372-6611 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Community service hours for students are available. After this event, there are fifteen scheduled Volunteer Workdays throughout various natural areas in Miami-Dade County during the 2014/2015 season. For more information, go to www.miamidade.gov/environment/endangered-lands-volunteer.asp.
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It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. For ADA further assistance, please call in advance at 305- 372-6784.