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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO IMPLEMENT THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACES DEPARTMENT REPORT ON PLANTING A BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION GARDEN AT A.D. BARNES PARK; DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PREPARE A REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN

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WHEREAS, there are approximately 119 species of native butterflies in South Florida; and
WHEREAS, South Florida is home to several rare and unique species of butterflies; and
WHEREAS, the Schaus Swallowtail butterfly and Miami Blue butterfly, are currently the only Florida butterflies listed as endangered on the Federal endangered species list and in October 2013, two additional butterfly species, the Florida Leafwing and the Bartram�s Scrub Hairstreak were proposed to be listed as federally endangered; and
WHEREAS, although the Schaus Swallowtail was once found throughout Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, now the Schaus Swallowtail�s population has been limited to a few small islands within Biscayne National Park; and
WHEREAS, the Miami Blue butterfly is one of the rarest insect species in North America and is only found in limited areas of the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, the habitats of South Florida�s butterfly species are imperiled by mosquito control spraying and pesticides, hurricanes and tropical storms, droughts, and threats from invasive species; and
WHEREAS, several Florida Keys populations are possibly thought to be extinct including the Zestos skipper, Meske�s skipper, and Zarucco duskywing; and
WHEREAS, Federal and State fish and wildlife agencies provide conservation funding for species with limited range and habitats; and
WHEREAS, the Zoo Miami Conservation and Research Fund was created in 1998 to promote conservation of wildlife and natural ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, the University of Florida�s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity is actively involved in conservation efforts for the Schaus Swallowtail and Miami Blue, and other rare or imperiled butterflies; and
WHEREAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Team has suggested such proactive measures as protecting tropical hardwood hammocks and other natural habitats for species such as the Schaus Swallowtail; and
WHEREAS, the County�s Natural Areas Management Division and the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program provide ongoing habitat conservation and restoration of the County�s pine rocklands, hardwood hammocks and other natural forest communities; and
WHEREAS, the Atala Hairstreak was once considered extinct due to habitat destruction and the overharvesting of its preferred larval host plant, the coontie or Florida arrowroot; and
WHEREAS, the Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department, in concert with the University of Florida and the North American Butterfly Association, participated in a project to translocate the Atala Hairstreak to 22 natural area preserves throughout the County and encourage population growth in the species� native surroundings; and
WHEREAS, South Florida�s butterflies are an important part of the delicate environment in which we live; and
WHEREAS, the attached report was prepared by the Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners wishes to take appropriate steps to encourage the protection of the endangered butterfly habitats on County property,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Directs the Mayor or Mayor�s Designee to implement the attached report within 180 days of the passage of this resolution.
Section 2. Directs the Mayor or Mayor�s Designee to provide an update to the Board of County Commissioners at a regular meeting of the Board on the implementation of the attached report within 270 days of the passage of this resolution.