Ongoing Projects and Programs

Ongoing Projects

2024

Coral Reef Park in Village of Palmetto Bay Ecological Restoration of Pine Rockland: In 2023 our Ecological Restoration Crew began working at a new preserve called Coral Reef Park- Village of Palmetto Bay located in Miami- Dade County. The crew is actively restoring 5 acres of Pine Rocklands focusing on invasive species control, enhancement of native biodiversity and function of the Pine Rockland ecosystem.

IRC Works with Society of Ecological Restoration and Microsoft: In 2024, IRC began working closely with the Society of Ecological Restoration and Microsoft as a reviewer for Ecological Restoration Concept Applications. This opportunity provides a platform in where IRC will provide guidance for ecological restoration projects worldwide. This is a tremendous step forward in pushing the global environment on the right trajectory towards ecological restoration.

Restoring the Gold Coast Activities in 2024: IRC is currently working with the City of Boca Raton’s office of Sustainability to conduct ecological restoration along the coast at Red Reef Park including Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and South Beach Park. IRC held 3 ecological restoration event and will be hosting 5 more opportunities. Check out our events tab to sign up for future events. IRC is working with the City of Delray Beach in 2024 to host three ecological restoration days. Two events scheduled at Atlantic Dunes Park and 1 event at Orchard View Park. Check out our events tab to sign up for future events.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coastal Program Grant, Pine Rockland Restoration. 2021- 2026 . Grant Agreement #F21AC02606. Part of IRC's Pine Rockland Initiative, this 5-year project’s primary goal is to conduct ecological restoration activities on 30 acres per year of globally imperiled and highly fragmented pine rocklands both on public and private lands in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, Florida. To date IRC has helped to improve the ecological function on approximately 400 acres. Activities include treatment of invasive plants, as well as the development of fire analog activities including native hardwood and palm reduction, and pine thinning. The objectives aim to contribute to the recovery of the pine rockland ecosystem and increasing conservation benefits to federally-listed plants and animals. The project also provides funding for volunteer workdays, public outreach, and planning meetings leading to the concept of "Expanding the Pine Rockland Footprint" featured at the 2018 Pine Rockland Working Group conference held at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. We are also working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden and other partners on the development of a Pine Rockland Business Plan, an innovative planning tool intended to help scale up the restoration of existing pine rocklands.

IRC works with National Geographic Restoring a Pine Rockland in Miami-Dade County: In 2023, IRC began conducting restoration of a Pine Rockland within the USCG Richmond Base in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairchild Tropical Garden, Zoo Miami, and other partners. Funding for this project was initiated by National Geographic. The 248-acre USCG Richmond Station in Miami’s Richmond Pine Rocklands has been previously identified as a critical refuge for several federally listed plant and animal species, including important populations of the Miami tiger beetle and Bartram’s scrub hairstreak butterfly. Rare plant surveys by FTBG and other indicate dramatic declines in populations of rare species over the past three decades, driven by fire exclusion and competition from invasive species. In response, IRC with funding from FWS and in cooperation with USCG Richmond, initiate restoration activities in 2021.

Floristic Inventory of South Florida. 1994 - Present. Based on ongoing research including citizen science and partner contributions and launched in 2001, The Floristic Inventory of South Florida Database Online (FISF) provides data on more than 2,500 vascular plants in the 10 southernmost counties of Florida (Martin, Glades, Charlotte counties south to the Florida Keys). It was first launched in 2001 and has been continuously updated since that time; it is underpinned by more than 375,000 occurrence records derived from published and previously unpublished data, and original research by IRC staff members and our colleagues. The FISF functions as both a scientific repository and a user-friendly tool to aid in learning about, conserving, and restoring the native flora of South Florida. Information and images are provided not only on the vascular plants themselves, but on their distributions within the more than 400 protected areas in the region, from very large conservation areas like Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, to very small but critically important conservation areas within the urban and suburban matrix. Each native plant species has been ranked using a modification of the NatureServe ranking system, and additional conservation information is added where possible. Our primary goals are to prevent local extinctions, restore depleted populations and ecosystems, and improve the conservation system upon which the native flora depends. Link.

Floristic Inventory of the Florida Keys Database Online. 2006 - Present. A subproject of the FISF, this database was launched in 2007 and contains information on more than 1,000 taxa in the Florida Keys in Monroe and Miami-Dade counties, including about 550 native species. In addition to all the data presented in the FISF, this website features a botanical history of discovery of all native taxa, as well as Florida Keys locality maps. Like with the FISF, we assessed all native taxa within the Florida Keys using Heritage Program (NatureServe) criteria. Link.

Natives For Your Neigborhood. 2003 - present. Launched in 2005, NFYN is a website designed for gardeners, landscape architects, nursery owners, ecological restoration practitioners and others interested in learning about the horticultural use of native plants and companion wildlife within their natural ranges. In its current scope, NFYN covers more than 600 native plants grown in South Florida from Lake Okeechobee south to Key West, but this resource is now being expanded throughout Florida. Link.

Pine Rockland Restoration at U.S. Army Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) Headquarters adjacent to the U.S. Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida. 2019 - Present. Restoration of 15 acres of globally imperiled pine rockland ecosystem on two parcels that had been previously cleared, developed with building and roads, and later abandoned. This project is also intended to benefit the federally-listed Small’s milkpea (Galactia smallii) and Sand flax (Linum arenicola), and is conducted through the South Florida Caribbean CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Study Unit).

Plantas de la Isla de Puerto Rico / Plants of the Island of Puerto Rico. 1999 - present. Based on ongoing research including citizen science and partner contributions and launched in 2015, the PIPR is IRC’s first bilingual web resource, with information on more than 3,500 kinds of plants, and includes a preliminary conservation assessment of nearly 1,000 rare native species from the island of Puerto Rico. This website also serves as the basis for the development of a definitive list of trees for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, under an agreement with NatureServe and in support of the Global Tree Assessment. It has a companion Facebook page with more than 3,300 members, where members submit and share information on plant identification, conservation, literature and local activities (https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmigosDePlantasDeBoriken/). Link.

Restoring the Gold Coast. 2019 - Present. IRC is continuing the work the work we started on our Restoring the Gold Coast program after we finished our Impact 100 PBC and New York Life grants. Through grants and contributions from supporters like you, we hope to also expand the range of RGC's impact outside of Palm Beach County. We will continue to restore native coastal biodiversity by assessing the coastline and utilizing hands-on volunteer events, interactive field trips and workshops. Additional services like our biodiversity starter kits and consultations to private landowners expand on the biodiversity hotspots we are creating on public beaches.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Greensweep Keys Pine Rockland, Pine Rockland Restoration. 2014 - Present. Grant Agreement #F15AC01076. Through funding from the USFWS and as part of IRC’s Pine Rockland Initiative, IRC is facilitating habitat restoration and improvement on private lands primarily for Federal trust resources on wetlands, uplands and coastal areas throughout the middle and lower Florida Keys. Specifically, funding is for outreach, herbicide giveaway programs, retreatment of properties, monitoring, and treatment of new larger sites.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Miami-Dade Partner’s Pine Rockland, Pine Rockland Restoration. 2014 - Present. Grant Agreement #F14AC01320. Through funding from the USFWS and as part of IRC’s Pine Rockland Initiative, IRC is facilitating habitat restoration and improvement on private lands primarily for Federal trust resources on wetlands, uplands and coastal areas throughout Miami-Dade County. Specifically, funding is for outreach, herbicide giveaway programs, retreatment of properties, monitoring, and treatment of new larger sites.

Projects Completed in 2023

Hornik Foundation 2023 Grant. In 2023 IRC received a $5,000 for Coastal Conservation Education where we delivered over 15 programs to over 275 children and families ranging from ages 6 to 17 year old’s. Programs were held throughout Palm Beach County such as Loggerhead Marine Life Center’s Ocean Adventure Camp, Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, and Red Reef Park.

Restoring the Gold Coast Activities in 2023. IRC worked with the City of Boca Raton’s office of Sustainability to conduct ecological restoration along the coast at Red Reef Park, South Beach Park, and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. IRC held six ecological restoration days where over 700+ plants were installed, and over 1200 pounds of invasive Oyster plants were removed. Additionally, IRC’s ecological restoration crew actively worked throughout the beach dune and tropical hammock areas and enhanced native biodiversity and controlled for invasives. Lastly, IRC published a restoration plan for South Beach Park which you can find the link here. IRC will be continuing this work into 2024.
IRC worked with the City of Delray Beach in 2023 and held three ecological restoration days at Atlantic Dunes Park. Over 50 volunteers over the three events were instrumental in the process of restoring this park’s natural habitat. The focus of these events was to control for invasives species such as Brazilian-pepper, Carrotwood, and Snake plant. IRC is continuing this work into 2024 so stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities.

Projects Completed in 2022

Florida Pineland Preserve Restoration Project 2022. In 2022 IRC worked with City of Miami-Dade County’s EEL program and initiated work at the Florida City Pineland Preserve. IRC cleared a 3-acre section of the invasive Brazilian-pepper along the east edge of the preserve and replanted the area using a modified applied nucleation technique, where numerous small and densely planted islands of native pine rockland species were installed. IRC also conducted pine thinning on the 3-acres, although seems counterproductive, the pines in this area were tightly packed and had closed the canopy, meaning that there was little to no sunlight to penetrate the understory. Lastly, IRC conducted in extreme hardwood reduction in this same area using brushcutters and chainsaws. After some hard work our ecological restoration crew was able to restore the ecosystem function of the Florida City Pineland Preserve and rejuvenate the existing Pine Rockland ecosystem.

Projects Completed in 2021

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coastal Program Grant, Pine Rockland Restoration. 2016 - 2021. Grant Agreement #F16AC00865. Part of IRC's Pine Rockland Initiative, this 5-year project conducted ecological restoration activities at 20 sites over 255 acres of globally imperiled and highly fragmented pine rocklands on public and private lands in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, Florida. This work led to the discovery of a new population of the federally listed Everglades Bully and improved habitat for at least 20 species of federally listed plants and animals. IRC also conducted extensive public outreach and played a key role in a large collaborative effort to significantly increase the body of knowledge underpinning the restoration of pine rocklands that have been highly degraded or destroyed, including the development of techniques that can be deployed in lieu of and to prepare for successful prescribed burning. This project leveraged other substantial federal, local, and private funding and in-kind support for the Pine Rockland Initiative. Activities included treatment of invasive plants, as well as the development of fire analog activities including native hardwood and palm reduction, and pine thinning. The objectives include contributing to the recovery of the pine rockland ecosystem and increasing conservation benefits to federally-listed plants and animals. In addition, this project funded volunteer workdays, public outreach, and planning meetings leading to the concept of "Expanding the Pine Rockland Footprint" featured at the 2018 Pine Rockland Working Group conference held at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. We built relationships and continue to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and other partners on the development of a Pine Rockland Business Plan, an innovative planning tool intended to help scale up the restoration of existing pine rocklands.

Restoring the Gold Coast, Impact 100 PBC Grant. 2019 - 2021. With our $100,000 Impact 100 PBC grant, $10,000 New York Life Grant, and contributions from supporters like you, IRC has kickstarted the first phase of our new Restoring the Gold Coast program. The first phase aimed to restore native coastal biodiversity from Boca Raton to Lake Worth by assessing the coastline and utilizing hands-on volunteer events, interactive field trips and workshops. Additional services like our biodiversity starter kits and consultations to private landowners expand on the biodiversity hotspots we are creating on public beaches in southern Palm Beach County. As of February 2021, we planted 52 different species, 162 total populations of those 52 species, and 3,000 individual plants. The second phase of our program builds on this coastal restoration work and expands restoration efforts westward on the barrier islands.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coordination of Imperiled Plant Conservation Endowment Meetings. 2016 - 2021. Grant Agreement #F17AP00908. IRC coordinates meetings for and organizes the development of the Florida Rare Plant Conservation Endowment (FRPCE). This endowment brings together members from federal and state agencies, universities, botanical gardens and nonprofits to raise money and fund projects that aim to conserve rare plants found throughout the state.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Croton Monitoring. 2018 - 2021. Grant Agreement #F18AC00725. The objective of this project is to monitor the installed plants and direct seeding plots of pineland croton (Croton linearis) within the National Key Deer Refuge.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Croton Propagation Project. 2016 - 2021. Grant Agreement #F16PX02514. The objective of this project is to propagate and plant, and/or direct seed no fewer than 6,000 pineland croton (Croton linearis) plants within the National Key Deer Refuge in order to establish additional patches of the host plant to enhance occupied habitat and improve the condition of unoccupied critical habitat for Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak butterfly and Florida leafwing butterfly.

Projects Completed in 2019

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Conservation Grant. 2017 - 2019. This $15,000 grant supplements funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct ecological restoration activities at Ned Glenn Nature Preserve in Miami-Dade County, Florida, as part of IRC's Pine Rockland Initiative. Work includes the removal of invasive exotic plants, hardwood reduction, and surveys for rare plants. The project includes work with a local elementary school, community volunteer restoration events, and the development of project signage.

Lake Ida Parcel Restoration, Community Foundation Grant. 2017 - 2019. Initiated with funding from the City of Delray Beach and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, this ongoing project aims to restore 5 acres of highly degraded greenspace to local native ecosystems, including locally rare pine forests, upland hardwood forests and swamp forests along the shore of Lake Ida in Delray Beach, Florida. This project is part of IRC's Green Delray Program, which trains volunteers of all ages to restore native ecosystems.

Pine Rockland Restoration at U.S. Army Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) Headquarters adjacent to the U.S. Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida. 2012 - 2019. Restoration of 15 acres of globally imperiled pine rockland ecosystem on two parcels that had been previously cleared, developed with building and roads, and later abandoned. This project is also intended to benefit the federally-listed Small’s milkpea (Galactia smallii) and Sand flax (Linum arenicola), and is conducted through the South Florida Caribbean CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Study Unit).

South Florida Water Management District, Invasive Monitoring, Corridors of Invasion. 2019. Through funding from SFWMD, IRC conducted monitoring throughout portions of District land in Broward, Collier, Hendry, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. This monitoring included detecting new species of exotic plants along corridors of invasion such as roads, trails, canals, campgrounds, etc. IRC also collected data to be used in determining the status and trends of infested areas and distribution of infestations along these corridors of invasion.

Projects Completed in 2018

Development of Definitive Tree List for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Utilizing IRC’s Plants of Puerto Rico and other resources, developed an annotated list of trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands using both Global Tree Assessment and USDA PLANTS criteria. Agreement with NatureServe.

Exotic and Nuisance Native Vegetation Control Coordination and Vegetation Monitoring for the Picayune Strand Restoration Project. 2013 - 2018. A multi-year project, IRC mapped exotic and nuisance vegetation and coordinated invasive plant control efforts within Picayune Strand State Forest, which is undergoing extensive hydrological and mechanical restoration. Agreement with South Florida Water Management District.

Hardwood Reduction in National Key Deer Refuge, Big Pine Key, Florida. 2018. With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, IRC conducted mechanical fuel reduction using a skid steer with a forestry cutter attachment on over 50 acres of pine rockland.

Miami Beach Volunteer Restoration. 2017 - 2018. With funding from an Environmental and Sustainability Grant from the City of Miami Beach, IRC promoted environmental stewardship through a beach restoration program at Lummus Park. We worked with volunteers to help us remove invasive plant species and replace them with plants native to South Florida's dune ecosystem.

Projects Completed in 2017

Florida Invasive Plant Management (IPM). 2009-2017. Through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, IRC treated invasive nonnative plant on public and private lands in peninsular Florida. Project sites included conservation areas in the Florida Keys (John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park), Miami-Dade County (Coral Pine Park, Zoo Miami), Broward County (Tree Tops Park), Palm Beach County (Pine Jog Environmental Education Center), Martin County (Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge), and Indian River County (Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area).

U.S. Department of the Navy. 2016-2017. Contract# N62470-15-2-8013. IRC conducted a rare, threatened, and endangered species survey at Naval Air Station Key West. IRC staff surveyed for birds, reptiles, butterflies and plants on NAS Key West and its associated properties. Based on the collected data, IRC created a report to aid in conservation and enhancement of natural resources under the stewardship of the Navy.

Projects Completed in 2016

USFWS South Florida Endangered Species Program - Delineation of Suitable Habitat for the Florida Bristle Fern (Trichomanes punctatum ssp. floridanum) in Withlacoochee State Forest, Sumter County. 2014-2016. This project was an extension and modification of the previous project completed in 2013 to assess candidate species. This study identified and delineated suitable habitat for Trichomanes punctatum ssp. floridanum within Withlacoochee State Forest and surrounding areas. Suitable habitat were identified with a series of previously determined characteristics existing within mesic hammock habitat with exposed limestone substrate.

Loxahatchee Vegetation Survey. 2016. Agreement #4500095557. IRC field biologists are conducting a Loxahatchee Riverine 2016 Transect (T1-4) Vegetation Survey. Agreement with South Florida Water Management District.

US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011-2016. Agreement #401817G107. IRC, under contract with USFWS, controlled exotic plants on several pine rockland properties to prepare for the reintroduction of several candidate plant species, specifically for Blodgett's silverbrush (Argythamnia blodgettii), Florida brickell-bush (Brickellia mosieri), Carter's small-flowered flax (Linum carteri), deltoid spurge (Chamaesyce deltoidea) and sand flax (Linum arenicola). In addition, IRC has collected germplasm in an attempt to propagate new individuals of the target species for reintroduction onto the properties. The final modification of the project included funds to conduct 2-4 prescribed burns on Pine Rockland properties for the purpose of management of the target species.

Waste Mangement Think Green Grant. 2016. IRC was awarded a Think Green Grant to implement a "Green Delray" program thanks to Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful and Waste Management. The program included a beach restoration event, the creation of a pollinator garden with Delray Students First and a native gardening workshop.

Projects Completed in 2015

North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) Coastal Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay Habitat Restoration. 2013-2015. The Institute for Regional Conservation and partner organizations conducted habitat restoration of coastal, wetland, and pine rockland habitat in Miami Dade County. The habitat restoration removed exotic species, introduced a fire regime as management tool, and replanted native species for the purpose of improving habitat for over 100 species of migratory birds as well as native vegetation and wildlife. Learn more about the project.

Big Cypress Candidate Plant Survey. 2009-2015. Grant Agreement #401819G56. IRC conducted a status survey of Everglades bully (Sideroxylon reclinatium subsp. austrofloridense) and Florida pineland crabgrass (Digitaria pauciflora) in Big Cypress National Preserve. The objectives were to determine the ranges and population sizes of the two species within Big Cypress, to assess threats to the species and their habitat, and make management recommendations. Agreement with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Strap Fern Reintroduction. 2012-2015. IRC, in partnership with Marie Selby Botanical Garden, Miami-Dade County Natural Areas Management and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, propagated and reintroduced two species of strap fern, Campyloneurum angustifolium and Campyloneurum costatum, both of which had previously been considered regionally extinct. $2,500 grant from the Florida Native Plant Society.

Tropical Audubon Society TogetherGreen Innovation Grant. 2012-2015. IRC provided restoration support and the skills of a specialist to help TAS with the restoration of an 8-acre pine rockland conservation area. The property is owned by TAS and is utilized for community education and outreach. The restoration of the pine rockland habitat focused on the removal of exotic invasive plant species and restored populations of more than 10 rare plant species. $7,600.00 Grant from the National Audubon Society.

US Department of the Navy. 2012-2015. IRC conducted treatments of invasive exotic plant species on 50 acres of native habitats on Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West for the purpose of improving habitat of listed species. Agreement with the Department of Defense.

US Fish and Wildlife, Keys Demography. 2011-2015. Agreement #F11AP0179. IRC conducted a study to determine life history characteristics and demography of three pine rockland plant species; sand flax (Linum arenicola), wedge spurge (Chamaesyce deltoidea subsp. serpyllum), and Garber's spurge (Chamaesyce garberi). Additionally, IRC resurveyed study plots, last monitored in 2005 and in 2008, to search for rare and endangered plant species. Resulting data were synthesized into existing vegetation, elevation, and fire history data to develop a strategic habitat conservation plan for the three target species and their pine rockland habitat. Agreement with USFWS.

US Fish and Wildlife, National Key Deer Refuge. 2009-2015. Agreement #40189G472. IRC determined densities of rare plant populations and documented changes in vegetation structure and composition in the freshwater and saltwater marsh communities in the National Key Deer Refuge. Agreement with USFWS.

Projects Completed in 2014

Guantanamo Bay Exotic Plant Removal. 2014. Using methods developed from the pilot project, IRC removed exotic leadtree, Leucaena leucocephala, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  IRC staff conducted experiments to determine best methods and techniques for removal of this invasive tree on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Agreement with the Department of Defense. Final Report Pending.

Predicting Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Rare Plants and Coastal Habitats of the Everglades. 2010-2014. To understand how sea level rise influences the integrity of coastal forest ecosystems in Everglades National Park, IRC conducted field and experimental studies. The aim of the studies was to understand how changes in salinity regimes, resulting from sea level rise, would influence coastal forests. The empirical study examines the growth and physiological responses of five species from coastal buttonwood and hardwood hammocks to three treatments of salinity. Task Agreement #J5298100012. Agreement with Everglades National Park. Report in press. Abstract. Final Report Pending.

Everglades National Park Vegetation Monitoring. 2008-2014. IRC conducted research in Everglades National Park to determine changes in plant species composition through time in relation to hydrology and phosphorous levels.  This project monitored long term plots along a North-South gradient. Additionally, baseline data were collected on plant species of management concern within Everglades National Park. The data and management recommendations enable managers to make informed decision related to conserving these species in the context of restoration activities and sea level rise. Agreement #'s P11AT003101 and J5284080020. Agreement with the National Park Service. Final Report.

Management and habitat conservation and improvement for two plant species, the federally endangered Small's milkpea and candidate species sand flax at U.S. Special Operations Command South Headquarters, Homestead, Florida. 2013-2014. Within two areas identified as management areas for the two species of concern, Small's milkpea (Galactia smallii) and sand flax (Linum arenicola), IRC field biologists determined presence and density of the two species before and after habitat restoration. Within the management areas IRC biologists and crew removed invasive exotic plant species. Species controlled includedBrazillian-pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), Australian-pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), silk reed (Neyraudia reynaudiana), napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), as well as the grass Zoysia tenuifolia. After the completion of exotic species removal, a controlled burn was conducted to initiate the use of prescribed fire as a management tool. During the second year of the agreement IRC re-established populations of native plants through planting and natural recruitment.

Projects Completed in 2013

Exotic and Nuisance Native Vegetation Control Coordination and Vegetation Monitoring for the Picayune Strand Restoration Project.  2011-2013.  Mapping of exotic and nuisance vegetation and coordinating exotic control efforts within a 3,000 acre area of Picayune Strand State Forest undergoing extensive hydrological and mechanical restoration. $293,000.00 agreement with SFWMD, subcontracted through Environmental Resources Management – Southeast, Inc. Report and Addendum.

Guantanamo Bay Exotic Plant Removal pilot project. 2012-2013. IRC conducted a pilot project for the removal of exotic leadtree, Leucaena leucocephala, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  IRC staff conducted experiments to determine best methods and techniques for removal of this invasive tree on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. $50,000 agreement with the Department of Defense. 

US Fish and Wildlife, Candidate Status Survey. 2011-2013. Agreement #F11AP0169. IRC conducted status surveys on the Federal candidate species sand flax (Linum arenicola), Carter's small-flowered flax (Linum carteri var. carteri), and Florida bristle Fern (Trichomanes punctatum ssp. floridanum) in Miami Dade and Sumter counties. $23,000 agreement with USFWS.

US Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Keys. 2008-2013. Agreement #401818J622. IRC implemented the “No Invasives Left Behind: Partnerships in Restoration” program. This program removed exotic vegetation from private lands throughout the Florida Keys.  IRC did contractual work to develop partnerships with private landowners to remove exotic plants and to complete educational and outreach activities in the Keys communities. $200,000 agreement with USFWS.

Vegetation mapping of Ding Darling Preserve, Sanibel Island. 2011–2013. IRC constructed a Geodatabase using aerial photography and field data to produce a vegetation map of the Ding Darling Preserve on Sanibel island. $35,000 agreement with USFWS.

Assessment of the Federally Endangered Small’s Milkpea (Galactia smallii) and Candidate Sand Flax (Linum arenicola) at the Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida. 2012-2013. Biologists from IRC performed baseline assessments of Small's milkpea (Galactia smallii) and sand flax (Linum arenicola) in the pine rockland habitat at the Homestead Air Reserve Base. Final Report.

Plant Survey for the Endangered Small’s Milkpea (Galactia smallii) and Candidate Sand Flax (Linum arenicola) Dade County Florida, Adjacent to SOCSOUTH Headquarters Homestead, Florida. Biologists from IRC performed baselins assessments of Small's milkpea (Galactia smallii) and sand flax (Linum arenicola) in the pine rockland habitat at a property adjacent to the Homestead Air Reserve Base. Final Report.

US Fish and Wildlife, Pine Rockland Initiative. 2008-2013. Agreement #4018J615 (changed to #F08AC00082). IRC leads a 'Pine Rockland Initiative' which worked to restore and manage privately owned fragments of pine rockland habitat in Miami Dade County, Florida with the objective of increasing conservation benefits to federally listed and candidate species. Agreement with USFWS. 2013 Report.

Projects Completed in 2012

The Church of Jesus Christ Pine Rocklands 2012. IRC conducted exotic invasive plant removal on a five acre Pine Rockland adjacent to the IRC George Avery Pine Rockland. Exotic plants were treated through the “Partners” program. $6,000 contract.

Florida/ Caribbean Fire & Invasive Learning (CRFL) Network. 2011-2012. (FIRE/FL-CARIB – 07192011) Under this project IRC wrote two CRFL Network newsletters, wrote reports for the regional stakeholder meetings, set up and initiated two webinars, facilitated an end of year Network meeting, and updated the CRFL Network contacts database. $13,500 agreement with The Nature Conservancy.

Pine Rockland Initiative “Stimulus”. 2009-2012  Agreement #40181RJ012 with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Implementation of the “Pine Rockland Initiative” with the primary goal of restoring pine rocklands across Miami Dade county. This project enhanced and expanded habitat for five endangered plant species, one threatened plant species, eight candidate plant species, one endangered animal species and two candidate butterfly species. The IRC used this program to establish relationships with private landowners to remove exotic species on 200 acres of private land.  Exotic species were also removed from 300 acres of public land.  IRC also used outcome based monitoring to evaluate the strategic habitat conservation planning process and promote public awareness of pine rockland's and South Florida's imperiled species and habitats. $400,000.00 contract with USFWS. Final Report

Sea Level Rise Assessments. 2012. With the University of Central Florida, IRC completed vulnerability assessments for target plant species based on their vulnerability to sea level rise, climate change, and human land use change. $2,000 contract.

Treatment and Monitoring of invasive exotic plants, Naval Air Station, Key West. 2011-2012. (FCO IRC 080111) IRC treated and monitored for invasive exotic plants in conjunction with partners Florida Keys Invasive Exotic Task Force (FKIETF) and the Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West. IRC conducted partner work days and plant ID trainings with FKIETF. General goals were to prevent new invasions, have early detection and rapid response for new invaders, and control and manage established invaders. $12,000 agreement with The Nature Conservancy.

US Department of the Navy. 2011-2012. Cooperative agreement number N69450112S00. IRC conducted treatments of invasive exotic plant species in 65.8 acres of native habitats on Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West with the goal of improving habitat for the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit, a federally endangered species. $113,000 agreement with the Department of Defense. Report.

US Fish and Wildlife, Coastal MDC Pine Rockland. 2011-2012. Agreement #F11AP0172. IRC treated exotic plants on 500 acres of pine rocklands with annual follow up treatments. IRC also provided technical and educational information on pine rocklands and Florida's endangered species and habitats in order for the management of those lands to eventually be turned over to the land owners. IRC continued tofacilitate outreach to develop partnerships with land owners and continued ecosystem monitoring to determine if project goals were being met. $50,000 agreement with USFWS. Report.

Projects Completed in 2011

East Everglades Exotic Vegetation Treatment – Fuel Reduction. 2011. Subcontractor with Vanessa Hangen Brustlin, Inc. IRC Treated invasive plant species in the East Everglades Expansion Area of Everglades National Park in the melaleuca fire hazard fuel reduction project area. The two target species were Melaleuca quinquenervia and Casuarina equiserifolia. $50,000 contract.  

Friends of Rookery Bay Habitat Mapping. 2010-2011. IRC and the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR) staff created baseline habitat maps of RBNERR plant communities. A focus for this project was to evaluate the future effects of climate change and sea level rise on plant communities in RBNERR using models of tides and elevation. $60,000 contract with Friends of Rookery Bay was $60,000. Report.

USDA Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). 2006-2011. IRC conducted the removal of exotic pest plants on IRC property and on the property of several private partners in conjunction with the Pine Rocklands Initiative. $26,000 agreement with the USDA. 

Projects Completed in 2010

Exotic pest plant removal in the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area. 2010. With the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission IPM, IRC conducted exotic pest plant removal in the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area. Total contract amount $1,050.  

Picayune Strand Restoration Project – Restored Footprint Exotics Mapping and Control Coordination. 2008-2010. IRC worked under a contract, Purchase Order #4500046172, with the South Florida Water Management District. This project mapped and quantified infestations of FLEPPC listed species as well as other pest plants in a 3,000 acre area undergoing extensive hydrological and mechanical restoration. Additionally, IRC provided direct supervision and management over state-hired exotic plant control crews. The final report was submitted in September 2010.  

Projects Completed in 2009

Assessment of Rare Plant Species and Pine Rockland habitat at Proposed U.S. Army Special Operations Command South Headquarters adjacent to the U.S. Air Reserve Base, Homestead, Florida. 2009. US Army Corps of Engineers. A survey was conducted to identify rare and endangered species located on the property. IRC developed restoration and management recommendations for the pine rocklands.  

Assessment of the Status and Distribution of the Endemic Rimrock Crowned Snake (Tantilla oolitica) in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida. 2006-2009. IRC compiled a database of historic sightings and conducted surveys for the endemic rimrock crowned snake throughout its historic range in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties to assess its current status. $37,500 agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Botanical contractor services, Mitigation Resources, LLC. 2009. Provided Professional Botanist Sub-Contractor Services at Hatchinela Ranch. Conducted vegetation sampling during the month of October, 2009. $6,300 contract.

Consulting Services for the Development of a Land Management Plan for the Railhead Scrub Preserve. Collier County. 2009. County Railhead Scrub Preserve. IRC developed a land management plan for the Railhead Scrub Preserve. $1,500 contract with URS.

Data Summary of Working Vegetation Maps of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. 2007-2009. Grant agreement #41817J105 with USFWS. IRC, using field inventories and ground-truthing, helped produce a more detailed vegetation map and biological inventory of Ten Thousand Islands National wildlife Refuge (TTINWF).

Everglades National Park Accuracy Assessment. 2009. In order to improve the accuracy of vegetation maps for South Florida National Parks, including Everglades National Park, IRC ground- truthed developed maps. Visits were made to randomly selected sites to compare observed vegetation classification with recorded vegetation classification. Accuracy Assessment Flights were conducted in April of 2009 and a summary report submitted on May 26th. $1,800 agreement with National Park Service.  

Florida Natural Areas Inventory – FNAI. 2006-2009.Conducted invasive species inventories for the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) at several conservation areas in Collier, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and St. Lucie counties. This project aided the DEP's Bureau of Invasive Plant Management meet their goal of inventorying and mapping “the distribution of invasive exotic plant species utilizing a Geographic Information System database by the year 2010.” Deliverables consisted of ArcView shape files of all data collected during the survey. $44,000 contract with Florida State University. 

Floristic Inventory of Blue Water Quarry, Lake San Pedro Hammocks, Little Torch Hammocks, Lower Sugarloaf WEA, Middle Torch Hammocks, Richard Park, Unnamed Island in Lower Sugarloaf Sound, and Wells Key. 2007-2009. With a contract from FFWCC, IRC biologists provided a plant list of all species on these properties including lists of rare species, lists of exotic species, and the status of the rare plant species. The final report was submitted in June 2009.  

The Grasses of Southeastern Florida 2009. IRC conducted a workshop on the Grasses of Southeastern Florida on September 10th and 11th in Miami, Florida. The workshop included sessions on identification, terminology, specific groups, and a field session that took participants to several local habitats. Twenty three individuals participated in the workshop.  

Grouper Financial Old Cutler Bay Tree Preserve at the Palmetto Bay Village Center, 18001 Old Cutler Rd. 2009. Prepared the Florida Communities Trust application package for the natural areas at Palmetto Bay Village Center, 18001 Old Cutler Road. IRC developed a vegetation map, assessed the conditions of natural areas on the property and documented the occurrence of rare plant and animal species.  $3,000 contract with Grouper Financial, Inc.   

Management Plans for Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program. 2006-2009. Under contract with URS, IRC authored 12 site-level management plans for pine rockland preserves owned and managed by the Miami-Dade County EEL program, and developed a comprehensive management plan for Miami-Dade County pine rocklands. These plans specifically address exotic pest plant populations, including an assessment of infestations, recommendations for control techniques, and post-removal vegetation management.  

Mapping of Galactia smallii and Linum arenicola. 2009. As a subcontracor with CH2M HILL and the U.S. Army IRC conducted a survey on 2-acre proposed lease for endangered plant species, specifically mapping the occurrence of Galactia smallii and Linum arenicola. Total contract $450.00.  

Vegetation monitoring on Prairie Canal in the Picayune Strand Restoration Area. 2008-2009. The IRC conducted post restoration vegetation monitoring of Prairie Canal and control transects in the Picayune Strand Restoration Area as part of agreement #4500026581 with the SFWMD. 

Projects Completed in 2008

Collier County Railhead Scrub Preserve. 2008. "Plant Survey for Railhead Scrub Preserve.” $1,500 contract with Collier County.

Consulting Botanists to Key West Botanical Garden. 2006-2008. Provide ongoing botanical expertise to Key West Botanical Garden as it seeks to expand and modernize its programs, including the development of a living collections policy and an accession program, develop a native plant maintenance policy, develop the KWBGS database and to review planting projects and make recommendations.

Instruction Course on St. Lucie County's Rare Plants and How to Identify Them. 2007-2008. Produce a rare plant field guide for federal, state, and FNAI listed plants that have been documented for St. Lucie County. Provide a list of plants which may potentially occur in St. Lucie County based upon presence in neighboring adjacent counties. Teach three separate workshops in St. Lucie County on identification of rare plants listed. $8,700 contract with St. Lucie County.

Miami Dade County Homeless Trust and GLE Associates. 2008.The Institute for Regional Conservation completed a Threatened and Endangered (T&E) plant species survey of Miami-Dade County properties owned by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. No federally listed species were found, but four species listed as Endangered or Threatened by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services were found including Chaptalia albicans, Crossopetalum ilicifolium, Selaginella armata var. eatonii, and Thelypteris augenscens. 

Plant Survey for Nancy Payton Preserve GGE. 2008. Collier County Nancy Peyton Preserve. $1,500 contract with Collier County.  

Plant Survey for Wet Woods Preserve in North Naples 2008. Collier County Wet Woods Preserve. $1,050.00 contract with Collier County

Population Demography of the Fragrant Prickly-apple Cactus (Harrisia fragrans). 2003-2008. Population monitoring and life history studies of the federally listed fragrant prickly-apple cactus at Savannas Preserve State Park, St. Lucie County, FL. $82,000 contract with the Florida Division of Forestry. Final Report.

Rare Plant Monitoring and Restoration on Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park. 2003-2008. Survey and establish long-term monitoring protocols for 30 rare plant species covered in IRC's book, Rare Plants of South Florida: Their History, Conservation, and Restoration (Gann et al. 2002) as part of Everglades National Parks Critical Ecosystems Study Initiative (CESI). Develop recommendations for augmentations and reintroductions of extirpated species. Develop methods to evaluate the effects of changed in hydrology associated with the Everglades Restoration on rare plant populations. $300,000 budget for first five years. Final Report.

Restoration of Privately Owned Pine Rockland Habitat in Miami-Dade County. 2006-2008. Grant agreement #401818G030 with USFWS known as the “Pine Rockland Initiative”.  The IRC identified private land owners whose property contained Pine Rocklands, created a landowner agreement, and partnered with them to restore and manage the Pine Rocklands through species monitoring, exotic plant removal, protection from damage and inappropriate use, established prescribed burn routines, restored populations of rare, desirable, and endemic species, and planned for long term management and care of the properties.  This project was later extended through the USFWS “stimulus” project. Some work conducted under this agreement was funded under the USDA WHIP program. Final Report.

Status Survey of the Federally-threatened Garber's Spurge (Chamaesyce garberi) in South Florida. 2006-2008. “Status Survey of the Federally Threatened Chamaesyce garberi in South Florida.”   Conduct surveys to assess current distribution, population size, and management needs of Chamaesyce garberi. Surveys were conducted for previously reported population as well as in habitats considered capable of supporting the species. The study also determined appropriate habitats for the species along with short term and long term threats. $40,000 grant, Agreement #401816G055, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Final Report.

Technical Assistance to Miami-Dade County and Participation in Natural Areas Management Working Group, Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2002-2008. Collaborate with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and provide technical assistance to establish a rare plant monitoring program based on the recommendations in IRC's book, Rare Plants of South Florida: Their History, Conservation, and Restoration. Also assisted with the writing of Miami-Dade County's first comprehensive multi-habitat management plan covering all county-owned conservation areas. Cooperative agreement with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Vegetation surveys and monitoring in the “Hole in the Donut”, Everglades National Park. The Everglades Research Group, INC hired IRC to conduct vegetation surveys and monitoring in the “Hole in the Donut,” Everglades National Park. $4,000 contract with Everglades Research Group, Inc.

Projects Completed in 2007

Assess Status of Naturalized Exotic Plant Species in South Florida. 2006-2007. Complete assessment questionnaires and provide database detailing infestations of several naturalized exotic plant species in South Florida. $3,500 contract with IFAS.

Floristic Inventories of Conservation Areas in Lee County, Florida. 2006-2007. Conduct floristic inventories and rare plant surveys by plant community and over different seasons at Caloosahatchee Creek and Yellow Fever Creek Preserves in southwestern Florida. $26,000 contract with Lee County.

Floristic Inventories of Conservation Areas in Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2006-2007. Conduct floristic inventories over difference seasons at 46 conservation areas managed by Miami-Dade County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. $65,000 cooperative agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Post-Hurricane Field Assessments of Six Endangered and Candidate Plant Species. 2005-2007. Conduct rare plant surveys for federally listed species in areas impacted by hurricanes during 2004. Tag, map and monitor populations and determine initial responses to storm impacts. $46,000 contract with US Fish and Wildlife Service. Final Report.

Restoration and Management of Privately-owned Pine Rockland Fragments in Miami-Dade County. 2005-2007. Develop and implement restoration programs on 50+ acres of privately-owned pineland forests in Miami-Dade County. $115,000 grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Final Report.

Surveying and Mapping of Rare Native and Invasive Introduced Plants along Florida Department of Transportation Rights-of-way in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida. 2005-2007. Design and conduct innovative project along 700 miles of roadway in collaboration with the University of Florida and Florida Natural Areas Inventory. $172,000 contract with the University of Florida. Final Report.

Projects Completed in 2006

Botanical Training in Southwestern Florida. 2006. Compiled preliminary plant list and trained professional consulting staff in plant identification at Babcock Ranch in Charlotte County. $5,000 contract with Johnson Engineering.

Conservation Assessment of Botanical Garden on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. 2006. Conducted assessment of living collection at St. George Village Botanical Garden. $1,500 contract with St. George Village Botanical Garden as part of US Conservation Assessment Program (CAP), administered by National Heritage.

Conservation Assessment of Key West Botanical Garden, Key West, Florida. 2005-2006. Conducted assessment of living plant collection and natural areas. $3,400 contract with Key West Botanical Garden.

Distribution and Populations Estimates of Federal Candidate Plant Species in the Florida Keys. 2005-2006. Conducted surveys, estimated population sizes and mapped occurrences of five federal candidates throughout the Florida Keys. $29,000 contract with US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Distribution and Population Estimates of Federal Candidate Plant Species on Big Pine Key, Florida. 2005-2006. Conducted intensive study of three pine rockland plants, including determining statistical estimates of populations sizes, mapping distributions in plots, and identifying indicator species. $27,000 contract with US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Faunistic Inventories in Miami-Dade County. 2006. Conducted wildlife inventories in eight conservation areas in cooperation with Miami-Dade County under a grant with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. $7,700 contract with URS Corporation.

Floristic Inventories of Conservation Areas in Lee County, Florida. 2005-2006. Conduct floristic inventories and rare plant surveys by plant community and over different seasons at Caloosahatchee Creek and Yellow Fever Creek Preserves in southwestern Florida. $26,000 contract with Lee County.

Monitoring of Hydrologic Restoration in Southwest Florida. 2005-2006. Establish permanent vegetation monitoring plots to gauge plant community response to hydrologic restoration in Picayune Strand State Forest as part of Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration. $63,000 contract with South Florida Water Management District.

Floristic Assessment of the Karst Belt of Puerto Rico. 2001-2006. Develop a relational database using Microsoft Access to assist the International Institute for Tropical Forestry in habitat conservation planning, particularly in the northern karst belt. The database contains a full plant inventory for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, synonymy, herbarium specimens, and data on plant localities, habit, substrate, perennation, nativity, and global range. Cooperative agreement with US Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry. Final Report.

Projects Completed in 2005

Aerial Surveys of National Wildlife Refuges in Southern Florida. 2005. Conducted aerial surveys and prepared maps of exotic pest plants in nine National Wildlife Refuges using a fixed wing aircraft at 500 feet elevation, Trimble GPS units and ArcMap GIS. $47,000 contract with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Coastal Upland Restoration in Martin County, Florida. 2005. Assisted with selection of plant palette, design of vegetation, layout, and physical staking for coastal upland restoration project. $6,800 contract with Martin County.

Compilation of Melaleuca quinquenervia Herbarium Label Data. 2005. Visited Florida and National herbaria and collaborated with other herbaria to compile data on this invasive exotic tree. $7,000 contract with the South Florida Water Management District.

Floristic Inventory of Conservation Area in Lee County, Florida. 2005-2006.Conducted floristic inventory and rare plant surveys by plant community and over different seasons at Wild Turkey Preserve in southwestern Florida. $17,000 contract with Lee County. Find reports here and here.

Floristic Inventories of Conservation Areas in Monroe County, Florida. 2005. Conducted floristic inventories and rare plant surveys by plant community in two recently acquired conservation areas in the Florida Keys. $4,750 contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Final Report.

Ground Truthing of Vegetation Maps of Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. 2004-2005. Collected transect data within 300+ randomly selected plots to assess accuracy of vegetation maps prepared by the University of Georgia. Utilized transect data collected during four years of floristic inventory work to develop preliminary assessment of accuracy. $115,000 cooperative agreement with National Park Service.

Floristic and Faunistic Inventory, Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2005. Compiled lists of plants and animals for newly acquired recreation area to determine conservation needs. $2,000 contract with Village of Palmetto Bay.

Mapping and Floristic Analysis of All Remaining Upland Forests in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Developed delineation methodology to distinguish relatively undisturbed natural community fragments from disturbed areas in more than 200 upland sites, and mapped the boundaries of each fragment with a Trimble GPS unit. Collected floristic data at each site and developed a Floristic Quality Analysis. $150,000 cooperative agreement with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Rare Cactus Demography, Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2005. Continue work on new population of rare cactus (Opuntia corallicola) discovered by IRC in 2001. $10,000 contract with US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Re-mapping of Vegetation in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. 2005. Assisted team from Florida International University (FIU) and the US Environmental Protection Agency in re-monitoring vegetation plots in Everglades National Park, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, and Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Areas. $14,000 contract with FIU.

Site Evaluation and Placement of Plant Markers for Restoration at Four Martine County Owned Parks on Hutchinson Island. 2005. Provide assistance in selection, design and placement of native plants for restoration at Martin County owned parks. $7,000 contract with Martin County.

Projects Completed in 2004

Collection of Herbarium Specimens at Big Cypress National Preserve. 2003-2004. Collection of several hundred herbarium specimens in an attempt to fully voucher this 730,000 acre conservation area. $10,000 contract with National Park Service.

Floristic Inventory and Rare Plant Assessment of the Miami Circle, Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2004.Conducted inventory and assessment of this State Historic Site along the Miami River. $800 contract with the Florida Department of State.

Floristic Inventory of Conservation Area in Lee County, Florida. Conducted floristic inventory and rare plant surveys by plant community and over different seasons at Prairie Pines Preserve in southwestern Florida. $15,000 contract with Lee County.

Floristic Inventories of Conservation Areas in Monroe County, Florida. 2004. Conducted floristic inventories and rare plant surveys by plant community in two recently acquired conservation areas in the Florida Keys. $2,400 contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Inventory of Vascular Plant Species of Big Cypress National Preserve . 2001-2004. Conducted comprehensive quantitative floristic survey of the 730,000 acre Big Cypress National Preserve by establishment and data collection along randomly placed line transects throughout the preserve, surveys of randomly selected 1 square km cells, and data collection in randomly placed rectangular plots. Collected herbarium vouchers for plant species not previously collected in the preserve. $107,000 contract with National Park Service. Final Report.

Inventory of Vascular Plant Species of Biscayne National Park . 2001-2004. Conducted comprehensive quantitative floristic survey of the 173,000 acre Biscayne National Park by establishment and data collection along line transects throughout the preserve, and surveys of all 1 square km cells in the park. Collected herbarium vouchers for all plant species in the park when fertile material was available. $42,000 contract with National Park Service. Final Report.

Mahogany Mistletoe (Phoradendron rubrum) Surveys, Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2004. Surveyed Biscayne National Park for this critically imperiled epiphytic parasite following the discovery of a new population. $3,000 contract with the National Park Service. Final Report.

Monitoring of Fire Effects in Pine Rocklands in Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2003-2004. Collaborated with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in study of relationship of fire frequency and fragment size to plant diversity in conservation areas managed by Miami-Dade County. $5,200 contract with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Restoration Consultation in Southwestern Florida. 2004. Conducted rapid assessment and provided ecological restoration recommendations for degraded coastal wetlands in the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve. $1,200 contract with Lee County.

Status Survey of the Federal Candidate Cape Sable Thoroughwort (Chromolaena frustrata), Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida. 2003-2004. Conducted surveys and mapped populations of this candidate herb in Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys. $10,000 contract with US Fish and Wildlife Service. Final Report.

Status Surveys of Two Rare Coastal Endemics in Southwestern Florida. 2003-2004. Conducted field surveys and herbarium research on two rare species in southwestern Florida (Harrisia aboriginum; Helianthus debilis ssp. vestitis) as recommended in IRC's book, Rare Plants of South Florida: Their History, Conservation, and Restoration). $20,000 contract with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Projects Completed in 2003

Collaborative Research on Rare Plants in South Florida. 2001-2003. Provided field and overall research assistance with a suite of rare plant species as part of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's Endangered and Threatened Flora program. $10,000 in contracts with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Collection of Vegetation Data for Wildlife Study, Southwestern Florida. 2003. Collaborated on study relating wildlife habitats to vegetation assemblages including invasive exotics at Prairie Pines Preserve. $5,500 contract with Lee County.

Development of Written Documents for International Workshop on Ecological Restoration. Chair of working group assembled by the Society for Ecological Restoration International to prepare documents to be the basis of negotiation with the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem at a workshop on ecological restoration in Malaysia. One of the documents resulted in the production of a global rationale for ecological restoration. $1,000 contract with Society for Ecological Restoration International.

Fragrant Prickly-Apple (Harrisia fragrans) Annual Monitoring and Mapping, Savannas State Reserve, St. Lucie County, Florida. 1999-2003. Conducted demographic monitoring of a population of the endangered cactus Harrisia fragrans in St. Lucie County and analyzed demographic trends. $43,000 grant from Florida Division of Forestry.

Ground Truthing of Hyperspectral Mapping along the Kissimmee River Basin in Central Florida. 2002-2003. Assisted with vascular plant identification and ground truthing of vegetation maps along the Kissimmee River drainage. $12,000 in contracts with SAIC, Inc.

Rare Plant Workshops, South Florida. 2003. Conducted six one-day workshops drawing nearly 100 participants from 26 public and private conservation agencies throughout South Florida. Workshops included review of the book Rare Plants of South Florida: Their History, Conservation, and Restoration, identification of rare plants, management discussions, and conservation planning. $12,500 grant from Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation.

Status Survey and Population monitoring of Opuntia corallicola in the Upper Florida Keys, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, Florida. 2002-2003. Conduct demographic monitoring of a population of the imperiled cactus Opuntia corallicola on an island in Biscayne National Park and analyze population projection. Conduct status survey of Opuntia corallicola on islands in Biscayne Bay from Palo Alto Key to Sands Key. $19,000 cooperative agreement with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Projects Completed in 2002

Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Exotic Plants, A.R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach County, Florida. 2002. Aerial survey of the 150,000 acre A.R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in a low flying aircraft for exotic pest plants, collection of data with Trimble GPS units, and incorporation of data into an ArcView GIS system. $8,000 contract with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Establishment of South Florida Rare Plant Conservation Program. 2000-2002. Continued work on Floristic Inventory of South Florida, launched IRC website (www.regionalconservation.org) and Floristic Inventory of South Florida Database Online, and contributed to writing of Rare Plants of South Florida (see below). $17,500 grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and $20,000 grant from Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation.

Floristic Inventories of Martin County Conservation Areas, Martin County, Florida. 2002. Conducted floristic inventories and rare plant surveys by plant community in Martin County. Mapped rare plant occurrences. $17,000 contract with Martin County.

Land Managers Workshop, Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2002. Planned and moderated a conservation planning workshop for land managers from Miami-Dade County's Department of Environmental Resources and Miami-Dade County's Department of Recreation and Parks. $2,000 contract with Miami-Dade County.

Surveys for Federally-listed Dicerandra thinicola, Brevard County, Florida. 2002. Conducted surveys and mapped populations of Dicerandra thinicola with a Trimble GPS unit on public and private properties. $4,000 contract with Brevard County.

Vegetation Analysis of Preserves Owned by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sanibel Island, Florida. 2002. Conducted qualitative assessment of the cover of plant species in recently managed natural areas on Sanibel Island and analyzed impacts of management activities. $3,500 contract with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Writing and Publication of Book, Rare Plants of South Florida: Their History, Conservation, and Restoration. 1999-2002. Wrote and published a 1056 page book covering South Florida's 355 regionally extinct and critically imperiled plant species. Covers the history of each species in the region and management recommendations. A chapter is also included providing data on rare plants in each of over 200 preserves in the region, with recommendations for rare plant management in each preserve. Received positive reviews from peers and in the journal Ecological Restoration. Primarily funded with internal funds.

Projects Completed in 2001

Aerial Monitoring of Exotic Plant Species, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier Counties, Florida. 2001. Conducted aerial surveys of the 1.5 million acre Everglades National Park, the 730,000 acre Big Cypress National Preserve, and the 173,000 acre Biscayne National Park in a low flying aircraft for exotic pest plants, collecting data with Trimble GPS units. $54,000 contract with National Park Service.

Floristic Inventory and Rare Species Survey of Properties Owned by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in the Florida Keys, Monroe County, Florida. 2000-2001. Surveyed 22 conservation areas throughout the Florida Keys to prepare a plant list for each property and collect GPS coordinates for rare plant species encountered during the surveys. $18,500 in contracts with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Protection and Conservation of Endangered Havana Clustervine (Jacquemontia havanensis) in Southern Florida, Monroe County , Florida . 2001. Performed status survey for the rare vine Jacquemontia havanensis in the Florida Keys including conducting surveys on Key Largo, Big Pine Key, Boca Chica Key, and Bahia Honda Key. Used Trimble GPS units to collect positions of all known plants with a sub-meter accuracy. $2,500 contract with Florida Park Service. Final Report.

Projects Completed in 2000

Biological Monitoring of Exotic Plants, 10 Southernmost Counties of Florida. 1997-2000. Conducted aerial surveys for exotic plant species from a low-flying aircraft for all of South Florida from Lake Okeechobee south. Conducted ground surveys for exotic plants in South Florida conservation areas. Designed and initiated a long term monitoring study to analyze the rate of spread of the exotic vine Lygodium microphyllum and its impact on native plant communities. Developed the Exotic Plants of South Florida database on CD-ROM. $120,000 contract with the South Florida Water Management District.

Demography of Federally-listed Endangered Plant Taxa in Pine Rocklands, Miami-Dade County. 2000. Mapped positions of federally endangered Amorpha crenulata at a sub-meter accuracy using Trimble GPS units and collected life history data on individual plants. Mapped population boundaries of the federally endangered Polygala smallii and Galactia smallii. Provided database of locations of 6 federally endangered plant taxa. $15,000 contract with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Floristic Assessment of the Parrot Jungle and Gardens, Village of Pinecrest, Florida. 2000. Performed assessment of the natural communities of the Parrot Jungle and Gardens to assist the Village of Pinecrest with a acquisition grant proposal to the Florida Communities Trust. $2,000 contract with Village of Pinecrest.

Floristic Survey and Rare Species Assessment of the Non-County Owned Properties in the Richmond Pine Rocklands, Miami-Dade County, Florida. 2000. Conducted surveys of 11 properties at the Richmond Pine Rocklands, developed floristic inventories for each property, and mapped rare plant occurrences. $5,000 contract with Miami-Dade County.

Hammock Restoration and Environmental Education at William Lehman Elementary School, Miami-Dade County, Florida . 2000. Planed and coordinated restoration of a rockland hammock on the grounds of the school, with the participation of students and teachers. $1,000 contract with Miami-Dade Public Schools.

Jupiter Island Property Assessment, Village of Jupiter Island, Florida. 2000. Conducted a rapid floristic inventory to assist with an application to the State of Florida for management funds. $1,000 contract with Village of Jupiter Island.

Protection and Conservation of Endangered Mahogany Mistletoe (Phoradendron rubrum) at Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Site, Monroe County , Florida . 2000. Performed status survey for the rare hemiparasite Phoradendron rubrum in the Florida Keys including conducting surveys in tropical hammocks on Key Largo. Used Trimble GPS unit to collect positions of hosts of all know plants with a sub-meter accuracy. $1,000 contract with Florida Park Service. Final Report.

Projects Completed in 1999

Rare Plant Data Review and Compilation . 1999. Reviewed rare plant occurrence data compiled by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, editing and correcting errors, and provided updated occurrence data for rare plant species in South Florida. $4,000 contract with Florida Natural Areas Inventory.

Status Summaries of 12 Rockland Plant Taxa in Southern Florida. 1999. Researched and developed status summaries for 12 endemic plant species known only from rockland habitats in South Florida as required by the federal Endangered Species Act. All 12 species were subsequently added as federal candidates for listing. $7,500 contract with US Fish and Wildlife Service. Final Report.

Projects Completed in 1998

Development of Exotic Plant Table for South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan. 1998. Developed table of habitats occupied by all exotic plants within the area covered by the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan. $3,000 contract with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Exotic Plants of South Florida Database Table. 1998. Developed table of habitats occupied by all exotic plants within the 10 county area of South Florida. $5,500 contract with Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Aquatic Plant Management

Exotic Plants of South Florida Database CD-ROM. 1998. Developed a relational database distributed on CD- ROM of exotic plant locations by preserve, county, and habitats within the 10 county area of South Florida. $11,000 contract with Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Aquatic Plant Management

Management Plan for Yamato Scrub Natural Area, Boca Raton, Florida. 1998. Co-authored state-required management plan for the 217 acre Yamato Scrub Natural Area. Performed extensive surveys of the property, compiling floristic and faunistic inventories, and developed management recommendations for each plant community on the property, each rare plant species, and each exotic plant species. $5,000 contract with The Nature Conservancy.

Participation in Development of South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan. 1996-1998. Wrote accounts for five plant species for the Multi-Species Recovery Plan. Wrote habitat accounts for the pine rockland and rockland hammock plant communities. Participated as members of the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Team. Pro bono work with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Rare Plants of Florida Scrub in Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties, Florida. 1997-1998. Performed surveys and compiled plant lists for scrub sites in three counties along the Florida East coast; conducted surveys for endangered plant species in the region, including a taxon that was newly discovered by IRC staff, Dicerandra immaculata var. savannarum. Mapped the endangered cactus Harrisia fragrans at the Savannas State Reserve at sub-meter accuracy using Trimble GPS units. $48,000 cooperative agreement with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Projects Completed in 1997

Management Plans for Juno Dunes and Juno Dunes Oceanfront Natural Areas, Palm Beach County, Florida. 1997. Co-authored state-required management plans for two county-owned conservation areas. Performed extensive surveys of the properties, compiled floristic inventories, and developed management recommendations for each plant community on each property, each rare plant species, and each exotic plant species. $10,000 in contracts with The Nature Conservancy.

Student Training in Ecological Restoration and Natural Areas Management. Organized and implemented week long field course at a variety of sites throughout Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. With Anne Statham, University of Wisconsin, Riverside. $2,000 contract with University of Wisconsin.

Projects Completed in 1996

Ecological Restoration Training Workshops. 1996. Conducted training workshops for volunteers participating in a comprehensive ecological restoration project at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Miami-Dade County, Florida. $2,000 contract with American Littoral Society.

Life History Analysis of a Federally-listed Herb. 1996. Organized demographic data collected on the federally-listed Polygala smallii into a Paradox database. $2,000 contract with Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management.

Management Plans for Delray Oaks and Frenchman's Forest Natural Areas, Palm Beach County, Florida. 1996. Co-authored state-required management plans for two county-owned conservation areas. Performed extensive surveys of the properties, compiled floristic and faunistic inventories, and developed management recommendations for each plant community on each property, each rare plant species, and each exotic plant species. $6,000 in contracts with The Nature Conservancy.

Rare Plant Data Research and Review. Reviewed existing data on rare plant species tracked by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory and compiled missing and new data. $3,000 contract with the Florida Natural Areas Inventory.

Rare Plant Surveys at the United States Naval Observatory Property, Miami-Dade County, Florida. 1996. Conducted rare plant surveys in endangered pine rockland habitat at this federal property being considered for transfer. $2,000 contract with Florida Natural Areas Inventory.

Projects Completed in 1995

Surveys for the Federally-listed Polygala smallii in Southeastern Florida. 1995. Following IRC's discovery of new populations of this herb in Palm Beach and Martin counties, surveys were conducted throughout southeastern Florida and an endangered species status survey written. $4,900 contract with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Report.