Floristic Databases Online

IRC's Book "Rare Plants of South Florida : Their History, Conservation, and Restoration"

Publications & Reports

Projects

Presentations

Ecological Restoration and Management: Current projects

North American Wetland Conservation Act Coastal Palmetto Bay and and Cutler Bay Habitat Restoration.
IRC and partners are restoring migratory bird habitat along Florida Bay in Miami Dade County. Restoration activities necessary to provide excellent migratory bird habitat include: Eradication of non-native invasive species, prescribed burning, planting native plants, and installing nesting bird boxes This habitat restoration is part of a U.S. Small Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Division of Bird Habitat in 2013 to achieve goals outlined in the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989. Check out the project website here.

Pine Rockland Initiative
The Pine Rockland Initiative seeks to protect one of the most endangered habitat types in South Florida through the engagement of public and private land owners and managers in habitat restoration. Existing pine rockland fragments within Miami-Dade County represent less than 2% of the original extent of the ecosystem and those which remain are threatened by habitat destruction, invasive pest plants, and fire suppression. The Pine Rockland Initiative empowers individuals to restore and conserve these fragments through providing IRC's expert knowledge and skills in habitat restoration and exotic species removal. For more information visit the Pine Rockland Initiative page or contact Sarah Martin. 2013 Report. Click the images below for our brochure and a presentation.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Invasive Plant Management.
Florida IPM is a program dedicated to controlling invasive plant species on Florida public and private lands. Sites where IRC staff and crew will be removing invasive plant species in Fiscal Year 2014 include the Naval Air Station in Key West, several remote keys in the lower Florida Keys, and Pine Jog Environmental Education Center in West Palm Beach.

Guantanamo Bay Exotic Plant Removal. 
IRC is conducting 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. In 2014 IRC field biologists and crew will complete the leadtree removal according to the determined best techniques.

US Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Keys.
2008-present.  Agreement #401818J622.  IRC is implementing the “No Invasives Left Behind: Partnerships in Restoration” program.  This program removes exotic vegetation from private lands throughout the Florida Keys.  The IRC does 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.

US Department of the Navy; Naval Air Station Key West.
2012- present. IRC is conducting treatments of invasive exotic plant species in 50.3 acres of native habitats on Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West for the purpose of improving habitat of listed species. $75,000 agreement with the Department of Defense.

Tropical Audubon Society TogetherGreen Innovation Grant. 
2012-present. IRC provides 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 will focus on the removal of exotic invasive plant species and restoring populations of more than 10 rare plant species. $7,600.00 grant from the National Audubon Society.