WildLandscapes' ambitious "Green Heart of the Everglades" project is one step closer to completion, with the first phase of the 11,141-acre land acquisition nearing public ownership. The site, which is set to become a vital piece in the jigsaw puzzle of south Florida's Greater Everglades Ecosystem, is already proving to be a hotbed of biodiversity. 

A recent bioblitz event hosted by WildLandscapes, where 22 volunteers conducted a targeted survey of the land to count as many species as possible over a short period of time, recorded over 400 species of plants and animals, including more than 25 rare, threatened, and endangered species. Some of the day's highlights included sightings of a Federally Threatened Florida manatee, Federally Threatened American crocodile, and State-Endangered airplants and star orchids. Camera traps even managed to document a Federally Endangered Florida panther and a Florida black bear.

Our team, led by ecologist Sam Baraoidan, explored the diverse habitat types of the land, which range from pine flatwoods to freshwater forested wetlands, salt marsh, cypress dome, tropical hammock, mangrove forest, and open water in the bay. The survey also uncovered an old-growth cypress swamp with enormous trees that had escaped the widespread lumber harvesting of the early 20th century.

The success of the bioblitz event has generated support for the conservation acquisition and its crucial role in the restoration of the local hydrology and the survival of wide-ranging species like the Florida panther and Florida black bear.

This would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers from various organizations, including Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, The South Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, National Park Service, Conservation Collier, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Family Lands Remembered, and citizens from Collier, Miami-Dade, and Broward Counties. Volunteers traversed on foot, canoe, kayak, and UTV, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission even bringing their Everglades mink scat detection dog, Cowboy, out to survey.

A special thanks goes out to Tony Pernas, Ernie Cox, Patrick Iler, The South Florida Water Management District, Barron Collier Companies and Collier Enterprises. 

We look forward to future developments on this exciting conservation project, which is set to play a crucial role in the preservation of south Florida's unique ecosystems.

Sam Baraoidan is the Conservation Ecologist with WildLandscapes International.
She can be reached at sbaraoidan@wildlandscapes.org.