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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 1Citizens for a Better South Thridz Community Stewardship at Virginia 7(py SCOPE OF WORK PLAN Project Need The coastal hammock between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay on the City of Miami's Virginia Key is environmentally sensitive land. One of the greatest problems .that ecologists are confronted with in South Florida is the loss of native habitat through the presence of exotic and invasive species of plants. Severely impacted by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the site became susceptible to invasive exotic plants and was "characterized by clumps of seagrape or Brazilian pepper, interspersed with areas of weedy and beach vegetation intermixed... Occasionally large mastic, strangler fig and Spanish stopper trees occur scattered throughout this area, as do a few clumps of saw palmetto. Many of the areas between the tree clumps and individuals are dense, nearly impenetrable thickets covered by lather leaf, and a series of other vines" (Phase I: Biological Inventory of Coastal Hammock Site on Virginia Key, Florida, 1995). Restoration began in 1996 with the removal of invasive exotic plant species; they have been reduced from 70% dominance of the hammock area to the current 5%. Nevertheless, much remains to be done and continued maintenance and stewardship is vital. The dune and beach community possesses several threatened and endangered land species and is an essential sea turtle nesting beach. In addition to the ecologically significant dune system, a mangrove area lines a tidal creek that runs parallel to the beach between the hammock and the beach area. The dune system and mangroves help protect the hammock form the detrimental effects of storms. When the restoration began, only one specimen of the Endangered Biscayne ay Ate, 1 irg iiis 1%e Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum coriaceum) was known to exist in the hammock. Today, there are more than 67 specimens protected and conserved, including Beach Inkberry (Scaevola plumieri), Beach Peanut (Okenia hypogaea) and Beach Star (Cyperus pedunculatus). Project Location Project's Geographic Area and Location .4'Iap &idea Kv? The Virginia Key Coastal Hammock lies just east of mainland Miami, Florida and west of Key Biscayne. A barrier island of approximately 1,000 upland acres within the City of Miami, Virginia Key is the last uninhabited area in a major. ,.,^_,, metropolitan area. Included on the island are two oceanfront public beaches, a Miami -Dade County ,bayfront beach, the Bill Sadowski Critical Wildlife Area, several conservation areas, a closed landfill, a Miami -Dade County sewage treatment plant, two National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities, the Miami Seaquarium, the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine VirginVirginie stay Key Biscayne and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) School of Oceanography, a marine stadium, several restaurants, two marinas. There is sufficient parking and the site is accessible by public transportation. *ono j-0r 14 Ilirat �hlj4: h1lrr r��I�:�i 3��Y..µ riE! ka 12, The selected site consists of a 400 meter long by 200 meter deep stretch that contains significant environmental value, including dunes, some elements of mangrove vegetation in transitional areas, and coastal hammock elements. For further infonrnation on Virginia Key's four significant areas (mangrove, dune, beach, and upland coastal hammock), please visit the following website developed by the City with support from grants and technical assistance from Fairchild Tropical Garden: http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/Parks/pages/park listings/virginia.asp and click on .the Virginia Key Costal Hammock Interpretive Trail link. This website includes a virtual tour of the Key's habitats, photos and descriptive statements of plant communities, and a curriculum guide for the proj ect. Value to Community & Unique/Distinctive Features Virginia Key is an important coastal natural area with four different habitats, which include the natural beach area, dune area, wetland area, and upland hammock. One hundred and six native species grow here, including three endangered and four threatened species. The area provides vital resources for migrating birds that travel the Atlantic coast flyway. Some examples of these migrants are Pine Siskin, Tennessee Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, and the Indigo Bunting. An abundance of butterflies are major pollinators and are highly visible. The Northern Cardinal and -2- the Osprey are sighted as well. In the adjacent Biscayne Bay, bottlenose dolphins, Florida manatees and Loggerhead sea turtles make their home. Virginia Key facilitates major research projects performed by Fairchild Tropical Garden research staff. Virginia Key is home to several rare plant species. A new population of Beach Peanut was discovered here, with a pink pigment on the stems and leaf venation never before seen. Beach Star was discovered as well. Before the initial exotic removal, only one known plant of the state endangered Biscayne prickly -ash was documented. Shortly after removal began, more than 67 individual plants were found. Project Description Description of Proposed Project The City of Miami Department of Parks and Recreation will partner with Citizens for a Better South Florida (CFABSF) to provide the Native Miami community stewardship program at Virginia Key. CFABSF will mobilize youth and young adult volunteers from local public schools, parks and universities, including: • Citrus Grove Elementary School • Morningside Elementary School • Robert Morgan Senior High School • Reeves Park • Virrick Park • Florida International University • Miami Dade College Prior to the project inception, the project area will be cleared of exotic plant species by parks staff from the City of Miami, under the direction of the Parks Naturalist, who will serve as Project Manager. Groups of 10 or more students will travel to Virginia Key once a month for 5- hour-long volunteer days, on a rotating basis for each participating site. In addition, service - learning volunteers from Miami Dade College will participate in mini -service days on Thursdays throughout the year. Special days, such as Earth Day in April, will be honored with special projects. Community volunteers will be involved in: • Exotic plant species oversight, to curb the return of invasive plants • Environmental education — helping design ecologically sound plans for the type of native vegetation that would fit best in the area • Native reforestation • Environmental education — helping define didactic opportunities in the area, such as signage, informational brochures, and nature guides • Environmental coastal clean-ups The Native Miami project will complement CFABSF Biscayne Baykeepers Initiative, which creates a strong grassroots constituency, targeting underserved multicultural communities, for the preservation of the ecological health of the Biscayne Bay watershed through experiential education and stewardship activities. Virginia Key will serve as the main laboratory for the -3- Baykeepers, with an interactive website that features Virginia Key restoration activities. In addition to the hands-on learning students will experience at Virginia Key, they will receive environmental education as part of their after school program through the Biscayne Baykeepers Initiative. Completion of Project Within One Year This project will run yearlong with removal of the invasive exotics completed prior to the project inception. Once CFABSF has recruited all the volunteers, they can begin monthly visits to Virginia Key for native plantings, maintenance and clean-ups. For further details, please refer to the attached Task and Timeline Chart. Key Personnel Information The City of Miami Parks Naturalist, Juan Fernandez, is a passionate biologist. Since 1996, he has been working at the Virginia Key Coastal Hammock, conserving endangered and threatened plant species, developing the City's plant nursery from less than 100 specimens to over 4,000 adult plants, and developing the interpretive nature trail at the site. He is a graduate of the Institute of Systemic Ecology at the National Academy of Sciences in Cuba, with degrees in Biology and Education. The project team. involves Citizens for a Better South Florida (CFABSF), a local non-profit grassroots organization whose mission is to improve our quality of life through instilling environmental awareness within South Florida's diverse multi-lingual communities. Since 1988, CFABSF has designed experiential, multilingual education and outreach programs for students, teachers and community organizations, including activities such as community festivals, environmental field trips, curriculum development and trainings, tree plantings, workshops, in - class visits, and habitat restoration. CFABSF specializes in educating the public about the vital resources that exist in our natural world, emphasizing local solutions to local problems or needs. The City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department will provide the natural areas, staff, program notices, and equipment, and CFABSF will provide the volunteer outreach and coordination. All partners will be involved in educational aspects of the project. Edith McClintock, Executive Director: Ensure the timely delivery of programs, issue reimbursement requests, manage the administrative components of the grant and manage the budget. Alex Montalvo, Education Manager: Develop and implement education program components and schedule events, attend partner meetings, order materials, and train naturalists and volunteers. Deliverables and Timeframe for Completion -4- Deliverable Volunteer Outreach Product/ Deliverable Attend festivals and school functions to recruit volunteers Anticipated Outcome Completed volunteer recruitment Timeline January/ February 2006 Hold volunteer meetings and orientation Completed volunteer meetings Introduction to Native Miami project February 2006 Baseline measures Completed pre- surveys from all volunteers Assessment of existing knowledge of coastal resources Ongoing from February 2006 to August 2006 12 Community Stewardship Activities Events Native reforestation, monitoring of plant growth and education Increased community stewardship and increased sense of the value of coastal resources Ongoing from February 2006 to August 2006 2 Earth Day Events Completed Earth Day Events, including coastal clean-up Environmental stewardship activities through citizen involvement April 2006 Post -measures Completed Post- survey from all volunteers Increased knowledge of the value of coastal resources and interest in stewardship Ongoing from February 2006 to August 2006 The measurable objectives will be the quantifiable, immediate preservation results in the subject natural areas and the long-term benefits of creating stewardships through education and the activities of reforestation, coastal clean-ups, and exotic removal, which will increase successful preservation in the future. Pre- and post -surveys will be administered to participating volunteers, with questions about preservation of South Florida's natural areas, the effects of exotics in a natural habitat, why and when reforestation should be performed, why pollution control is needed and what interdependency exists among native flora and fauna. Recruitment of volunteers for clean up, monitoring the reforestation project, and managing the exotic growth will be advanced and encouraged throughout the duration of the program. -5- �`�`�y!% �'e ?:��li�:�.-non•"+;%rY� Native !1 iami Community Stewardship at Virginia Key FEES & EXPENSES P t Education Coordinator's salary/Frin_ge Benefits Bus rental ($150 x 12 events) Mileage 7 V. $11,880 $1,800 $300 Educational/promotional materials and webpage Plant materials $2,500 $5,400 Payment Schedule (Deliverable on receipt of Invoice and Progress Report): January 31, 2005: April 30, 2005: August 31, 2005: Total: $7,293.33 $7,293.33 $7,293.34 $21,880.00 -6-