Miami

Fort Lauderdale

Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Dade and Broward County)

Broward County Conservation (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Sunrise)

Coastal Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Dania Beach.

  • Key Efforts:

    • Beach and Dune Restoration: Projects to stabilize dunes and protect habitats for nesting sea turtles, particularly along Hollywood and Deerfield Beach.

    • Coral Reef Conservation:

      • Broward County is part of the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI), focused on preserving nearshore reefs.

      • Artificial reef programs in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach enhance marine biodiversity.

    • Sea Turtle Nesting Protection: Public beaches are monitored during nesting season to safeguard loggerhead and green turtle nests.

Everglades and Wetlands Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Weston, Coral Springs.

  • Key Areas:

    • Everglades Holiday Park (Weston): Supports wetland conservation and public education about the Everglades ecosystem.

    • Sawgrass Recreation Park (Sunrise): Protects marshes and wetlands vital for flood control and wildlife.

    • C-11 Water Quality Project (Pembroke Pines): Restores canals and wetlands to improve water flow and reduce nutrient pollution.

Urban Green Spaces and Parks

  • Cities Involved: Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Plantation.

  • Urban parks like Tree Tops Park (Davie) and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (Fort Lauderdale) preserve native hammocks, pine flatwoods, and mangroves.

  • Broward County’s Land Preservation Program: Acquires and restores natural areas such as:

    • Long Key Natural Area (Davie).

    • Deerfield Island Park (Deerfield Beach).

Miami-Dade County Conservation (Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Homestead, Hialeah, Key Biscayne)

Coastal and Marine Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, Homestead, Coral Gables.

  • Key Efforts:

    • Biscayne National Park (Homestead/Key Biscayne): Protects coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds, essential for marine life and water quality.

    • Beach Renourishment Projects: Focus on restoring eroded beaches in Miami Beach and Key Biscayne.

    • Coral Reef Protection:

      • The county is part of the Florida Coral Reef Tract Restoration initiative to combat bleaching and promote reef resilience.

    • Sea Turtle Nesting Sites: Nesting protections on beaches like South Beach, Crandon Park (Key Biscayne), and Haulover Beach.

Everglades and Wetlands Preservation

  • Cities Involved: Homestead, Miami, Hialeah, Doral.

  • Key Areas:

    • Everglades National Park (Homestead): A UNESCO World Heritage site protecting 1.5 million acres of wetlands.

    • Chekika Area: Located near Homestead, this area is vital for the restoration of hydrological flows in the Everglades.

    • Shark River Slough: Critical for water quality improvements and wildlife corridors.

Urban Green Spaces

  • Cities Involved: Coral Gables, Miami, Miami Lakes.

  • Initiatives include:

    • Expanding urban tree canopies through programs like Million Trees Miami to combat heat and improve air quality.

    • Restoring native vegetation in parks such as Matheson Hammock Park (Coral Gables) and Oleta River State Park (Miami).

    • The Underline Project (Miami): Transforming the space beneath the Metrorail into a linear park connecting urban areas with greenways.

Regional Conservation Efforts in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties

Water Conservation and Flood Control

  • Everglades Restoration: Both counties are integral to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which restores natural water flow, wetlands, and habitats.

  • Canal Restoration Projects: Focus on improving water quality and reducing urban runoff.

Florida Wildlife Corridor

  • Efforts focus on creating connections between fragmented habitats in suburban areas like Weston, Pembroke Pines, and Homestead to support species such as the Florida panther, wood stork, and alligator.

Climate Change Adaptation

  • Cities Involved: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami Beach.

  • Key challenges include sea level rise, storm surge, and flooding.

  • Initiatives include:

    • Elevating roads and installing pump systems in Miami Beach.

    • Mangrove restoration projects along Biscayne Bay and other coastal areas to mitigate flooding.

Invasive Species Control

  • Targeting species like Burmese pythons, iguanas, and melaleuca trees in both counties, with a focus on Everglades restoration and urban areas.

Community Involvement and Organizations

  • Key Organizations:

    • Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve: Works to protect water quality and marine habitats in Miami-Dade.

    • Broward County NatureScape Program: Promotes native landscaping to conserve water and reduce pollution.

    • Miami Waterkeeper: Advocates for clean water and resilient coastlines in Miami-Dade.

    • Friends of the Everglades: Focuses on wetland restoration and environmental advocacy across both counties.

  • Volunteer Opportunities:

    • Coastal cleanups at Hollywood Beach, Miami Beach, and Key Biscayne.

    • Tree planting events in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables, and Miami.

    • Citizen science programs for water quality monitoring and wildlife surveys.

Challenges and Future Goals

Urban Growth and Habitat Loss

  • Rapid development in cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Pembroke Pines threatens green spaces and biodiversity.

Water Quality Issues

  • Reducing nutrient runoff into Biscayne Bay, canals, and other waterways is a key priority.

Sea Level Rise and Climate Resilience

  • Preparing for rising seas and saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies remains critical for both counties.

Expanding Conservation Lands

  • Broward County aims to expand its Land Preservation Program, while Miami-Dade continues to acquire wetlands near the Everglades for restoration.