Gary R. Milano Miami-Dade County Coastal Habitat Restoration Coordinator

Miami-Dade County Coastal Restoration and Community Outreach / Stewardship Program: Small Business, and Non-Profit Community (Reclamation Project) Partnerships

South Florida • Unique sub-tropical climate

• Rapid Population Growth: Miami-Dade County exploded from

approximately 267,000 people in 1940 to over 2.5 million by 2010,

an increase of 900 %

• Southeast Florida urban zone only 20 miles wide; Miami-Dade County bordered by Everglades National Park to the west, Biscayne National Park to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to east

• Coastline consists primarily of coastal wetlands and beaches

South Florida Watersheds (SFWMD 2009)

• Expansive coastal development- Florida wetland habitats have been reduced by 50%

• Concentrated and expanding human presence continues to dramatically change the South Florida ecosystem

• Invasive exotic plant species (Australian pine, Brazilian pepper)

• Upland runoff impacts coastal water quality

• Multicultural transient community heavily based on tourism

Area Threats and Challenges

10/31/2011 4

Ecosystem Restoration Beach Dune

Coastal Strand Maritime Hammock

Freshwater Wetlands

Salt Marsh Mangroves

Islands Seagrass

Dune Community Restoration

High Marsh Restoration

Red Mangrove Restoration

Miami Beach

Central Key Biscayne

Barrier Island Restoration and Enhancement

North Key Biscayne

Bay Island Restoration and Enhancement

SEAGRASS RESTORATION

Restoration Tasks • General Program Administration (Work Orders, Contracts, Resolutions, Agreements, Etc.) • Restoration Site Selection

• Restoration Design

•Environmental Permitting

•Site Evaluations

•Acquisition of Project Funds

•Contractor Selection Process

•Construction Oversight

•Success Monitoring

•Technical Reports

Restoration Accomplishments

• Habitat Restoration (50 Sites Restored) 500 Acres Wetlands 150 Acres Tropical Hardwood Hammock,

Coastal Strand, and Dune Community 22 Island Enhancement Projects 2.6 Acre Seagrass • 8 Miles Shoreline Stabilization (Native

Vegetation and Lime-Rock Structures ) Partners: Federal, State, Local Government agencies,

Scientist, Individuals, Small and Minority Business, Large Corporations, Home Owners Associations, Community Organizations, and Artists.

Environmental Restoration Projects Provide the Out-Door Classroom for Environmental Education and Stewardship

Restoration Partnerships

Eco-Art and Small Business

Eco-art is created to inspire caring and respect, stimulate dialogue, and encourage the long-term flourishing of the social and natural environments in which we live.

Initiated in 2006, The Reclamation Project is an eco-art project that was conceived by a Miami artist, Xavier Cortada

The Reclamation Project explores our ability to coexist with the natural world. It reminds us of what our community looked like before all the concrete was poured. ─ Xavier Cortada, artist

Red mangrove seedlings are collected by volunteers every September

Placed in Clear Cups of Water

Young mangroves are exhibited for a year (during the germination phase) at retail stores, schools, public buildings, and museums

LOCAL BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING

Coconut Grove Businesses

Miami-Dade County

M Salon

Lovely Pets

Johnny Rockets

Smoothie King

American Apparel

SGH 3063

Switch G by Guess Le Bouchon du Grove

HH Jewels

Pineda Covalin

Walter Biancuzzo Bath and Body Works

Hibuscus Hill

Hippo

Alladdin's Grill

Cherry on Top

Color me Mine

Siam Oishi

Allure Salon

Max in the Grove

Jaguar

Maui Nix

Sparkle Plenty

Divine

Maya Hatcha Celestial Treasures

Catch-a-Wave Nutritional Power Center

Boardwalk Tavern Avi Little Big Store Dharma Yoga Studio Children's Store Butter Red Kiwi Coconut Grove Flower Shop This n That

Lincoln Road Businesses New World Center for the Performing Arts Sports Express/Mr. R Sports

Deco Drive Cigars

Haagen Daz

Novecento 900

Premier

Yuca

Divine

SOBE Surf Style Soulier Alvin Island Argentina Intl Christian Audigier Ricky's Teno Sixty See So Good Collection Carnevales's Restaurant

The Pink Palm Spris Ghiradella Solstice Sosta Pizza Rustica

Peter Lik Art Gallery Steven X.U.T Miami Optics Eye Max

J. Kevin Foltz-Studio 106 Scene Post FCUK Morgan Miller Queen of Sole Fly Boutique Kiehl's Eno's Wine Bar Collection Privee

TREASURE COAST (MARTIN/ST. LUCIE COUNTIES) Martin County Arts Council Ocean Research and Conservation Association(ORCA) Elliott Museum Martin County Library System Heathcote Botanical Gardens Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County Aiello Landscape Botanics Wholesale Dale’s BBQ Jensen Beach High School The Florida Native Plant Society ‐ Lakelas Mint Chapter Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS) Marine Resources Council (MRC) Keep Martin Beautiful (KMB) South Fork High School Martin County Engineering Dept. The City of Stuart The Smithsonian Institute Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Pinellas / Hillsborough Counties Pinellas County Public Art and Design Program Tampa Preparatory School

Seedlings are planted at sites prepared by Miami-Dade County

Volunteers are the driving force! Participants learn valuable lessons at each phase of project

The Reclamation Project has resulted in Partnerships, Environmental Education and Awareness, Habitat Restoration, and Community Stewardship

Reclamation Project is a Community Partnership Project

Miami-Dade, Martin/St. Lucie Hillsborough, Pinellas County : • 850 total volunteers have

participated • Over 16,000 seedlings have

been planted

• 90 organizations/stores participating

Thanks to our Restoration Partners!

Key Biscayne Community Foundation

Urban Environment League

QUESTIONS