Habitat Restoration in Miami | OutdoorConnections

Habitat Restoration

This one week program deals with invasive species removal and Habitat Restoration on Virginia Key. Volunteers may be subject to working with children during this period and participating in coastal clean up and exploration projects. Just minutes away from the heart of Miami, Volunteers will not only give back to the community and the environment, but be capable to fully immerse themselves in the local Miami Culture.

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About Virginia key

Virginia Key is a 1,200-acre barrier island situated two miles east of downtown Miami and one mile southwest of Miami Beach. It is located within a highly productive marine corridor consisting of extensive tracts of seagrass beds and coral reefs. Above water, Virginia Key is home to a wide range of coastal habitats including beach and dune, hardwood hammock and mangrove wetlands The island has been the site of the deposition of dredging material from the Port of Miami since the 1970s, eliminating its beaches as a loggerhead turtle nesting habitat. Due to historical clearing of vegetation followed by neglect, invasive plants threatened the ecological integrity of Virginia Key.

sample itinerary

Day 1 - Program Orientation and Tour of Facilities. Volunteers will be given an introduction about Florida Native and Invasive Plant Species, Species Removal, and Native Planting.
Day 2 - Volunteers will Begin Invasive Plant Removal and Planting Native Plant Species on Virginia Key Coastline. After service activities, students will participate in guided outings to learn more about the area and its rich history.
Day 3 - Continuation of Invasive Plant Removal.
Day 4 - Volunteers will participate in a coastal clean up and learn about the impacts of plastic pollution in our waters and shorelines.
Day 5 - Volunteers will learn about water quality testing in Biscayne Bay and conduct several samples around the island.
Day 6 - Free Day