Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Newsletter-August 2016 Editor: Denise D. Glass

1. Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition
Will this be the last summer of the Richmond Pine Rocklands?
Newsletter August2016

2. Presidents’ Message by Al Sunshine
We had a great July meeting and I want to thank everyone who showed up to share our
efforts to Save Miami’s Remaining Pine Rocklands.
What's the biggest problem? South Florida’s endless development.
Whether it’s the Richmond Pine Rocklands, the biggest of its kind outside of Everglades
National Park, or remaining transitional wetlands/Rocklands off Old Cutler Road in
Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay or the few remnant Pine Rocklands facing development in
Kendall, they must be Preserved and Restored.
Our children and grandchildren need to see South Dade’s Original Heritage/Habitats and not be left with a legacy of
Urban Sprawl: Horrible Traffic, Strip Malls, High Density Housing and Declining quality of life.
Pine Rocklands and Green Space are good for Clean Air, Clean Water and reminding us we share this unique Sub-
Tropical environment with a wondrous variety of plants and animals. Many, like the Miami Tiger Beetle and Bonneted Bat
are found nowhere else in the United States.
Here’s what we're fighting against:
There are currently plans from Millionaire Developers and the World’s Biggest Corporations for more than $1-Billion
Dollars’ worth of new construction, Strip Malls, Theme Parks, Attractions, Big Box Super Stores, High Density
Housing and Black Asphalt Parking Spaces in the middle of the biggest Globally Endangered Pine Rockland Habitat
outside of Everglades National park.
Developers have been working quietly behind the scenes hiring former U-S Dept. of Interior Officials to work under the
direct Supervision of U-S Fish and Wildlife Service Officials seeking permits to kill endangered species and pave over
their only remaining homes.
And it’s all allowed under the minimal protection offered by the U-S Endangered Species Act.
At some point, we’ll have our chance to respond after Developers have had years lining up their experts and working hand-
in-hand with the very same Federal Regulators in charge of deciding what they may or may not be allowed to bulldoze and
kill.
Is this what our founding fathers meant by “Equal Protection”?
Is this the best form of Government Regulation Lobbyists’ Money can buy?
Don't expect any help from a State Regulatory System bought and paid for by the very same industries responsible for
polluting our drinking water and fouling our beaches.
Locally, “Off the Record”, insiders are telling us the real reason for some $10 Million Dollars’ worth of “Water Delivery
Improvements” off Coral Reef Drive next to the Richmond Pine Rocklands is to get ready for Miami-Dade’s Continuing
Push for a water theme Park there.
Our Challenge to Preserve and Restore Americas’ last 2% of Pine Rocklands is getting tougher every day.
But like the Pine Rocklands itself, the more that's done to burn them down, the harder they grow back to return even
stronger than ever.
Out of Town Developers and their local supporters hope we lose interest in saving our Pine Rocklands and just go away so
they can start bulldozing.
But with your help, that’s Not Gonna Happen on our watch.
“Save it, Don’t Pave It”.

3. We want to say a big “thank you” to everyone who came to our July
meeting at Tropical Audubon. Because of your support we held our largest
meeting to date. We say “thank you” to all of the new faces & we hope you
will bring a friend or neighbor to next month’s meeting.
The Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition will soon be able to save you some money. Members
unanimously voted at the July meeting to
become a 501 (c) 3 organization which means
your donations/memberships will be tax
deductible. Your generous support is always
appreciated so this is our small way of saying
“thank you.” Please continue to give in any amounts that you can since the work we need to
do comes with a big price tag.
Founding member, Maria Belen Valladeres is continuing to spread the word about
the MPRC. During a recent outing at the Deering Estate she was able to
distribute our coloring books in English & Spanish to the staff who were delighted
to receive them & will begin using them while giving tours of the estate. Thank you
Belen for your continued
support & advocacy. Our
coloring books have been updated
in English & Spanish & are available on the website. These
coloring books are very popular among teachers &
organizations because of their unique ability to
educate across a wide range of age groups.

4. During the past month we have had the opportunity to meet with some
of our local leaders. The Richmond Pine Rockland sits in District 9
which is overseen by Commissioner Dennis Moss. This area has seen an
increase in trucks & equipment as water pipe installation continues on
Coral Reef Drive. The MPRC is very concerned that the area used to
house all of the equipment could be destroying the critical habitat as
well as the endangered species that live in & around there. We have
urged Commissioner Moss to press Miami-Dade County to survey
the area for the Miami Tiger Beetle since they are above ground this
time of year. We are still waiting from a response from the
commissioner’s office. Commissioner Moss is up for re-election this
year & the MPRC stressed how important this issue is to the voters
in his district. We hope to hear good news from him. Commissioner
Daniella Levine Cava, a true champion on environmental issues is
very interested in what becomes of the Richmond Pine Rocklands.
She & her staff have been working to see how the county & her office
can help to preserve & restore the area. We will continue to work closely with her office & staff.
On Friday, July 15 the Miami Pine Rocklands
Coalition participated in the 2nd Annual South Dade
Solutions Summit in Cutler Bay. The Summit
was hosted by leaders from the South Dade area to
brainstorm on what south Miami-Dade should look
like in the future. Of course, the overwhelming
desire is to preserve our beautiful green space while
allowing for positive growth. Everyone who attended the summit agreed that living south has
many benefits & those benefits need to be preserved. The Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition
attended to ensure that preservation & restoration of the Richmond Pine Rocklands is a
priority & that we have a voice when planners “Look South.”

5. We say THANK YOU to Mayor
Tomas Regalado & the City of
Miami for joining the
communities of PINECREST,
CUTLER BAY & SOUTH MIAMI
for adopting a resolution
supporting the designation of the
Miami Tiger Beetle as a threatened
species & urging the Florida Fish &
Wildlife Conservation
Commission & the United States
Fish & Wildlife service to
designate the same: supporting the
preservation & restoration of the
Richmond Pine Rocklands.

6. For months now, residents & MPRC members have continued to watch the invasion of trucks & equipment take
over a large section off SW152 nd Street. This area lies adjacent to federally protected habitat.
TheMPRC continue to send letters of inquiry to FWS & Miami-Dade County with little to no response.
This is the time of year that the Miami Tiger Beetle is above ground & this type of activity in & around their
habitat could be very dangerous to their survival. We encourage you to drive by the area to see the destruction
that has occurred & send a letter of disappointment to the FWS & Miami Dade County at the lack of their
duty to protect critically endangered habitat.

7. Nature continues to bless us when we do the right
thing. Al Sunshine has been working on a Pine
Rockland habitat of his own. Although it has not
been an easy task establishing the proper soil &
water for a Pine Rocklands, the rewards are
tremendous. Butterflies are free to fly & planting
foliage that they are attracted to help them
perform their natural pollination behavior.
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly on Non Native Penta’s.
Florida Coastal Indigo, native Pine Rockland
Maturing privately restored Pine Rockland
Deerwood Community
Pineland Petunia

8. In case you missed it, our MPRC Treasurer & Nature
Photographer, Carmen Ferriero, had a collection of her
beautiful photos on installation at the Everglades
National Park during the month of July. Some of our
members were able to visit the park to view her captures
of Everglades’ beauty in all her glory!! Congratulations
Carmen. Below is just a small sample of her photography
work.

9. Creature Feature
Florida Bonneted Bat
On November 2, 2013, the Florida bonneted bat (Eumolpus floridanus) was federally listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act. This species is found only in south Florida, including Monroe and
Miami-Dade Counties. It has one of the most restricted ranges of any bat species. The largest of Florida's
bat species, the Florida bonneted bat is non-migratory. Like other bats in the family Molossidae, it is free-
tailed, meaning its tail extends well beyond a short
tail membrane. Its diet consists of insects such as
beetles, flies, and true bugs. The Florida
bonneted bat uses forests, wetlands, and other
natural habitats, and it roosts in cliff crevices, tree
cavities, and buildings. It is present in rural as well
as residential and urban areas. Because of its
extremely limited range and low numbers, the
Florida bonneted bat is vulnerable to a wide array
of natural and human-related threats. Habitat loss, degradation, and modification from human population
growth and the associated development and agriculture are major threats and are expected to further curtail the
species' limited range. The effects resulting from climate change, including sea-level rise and coastal squeeze,
are expected to become severe in the future and result in additional habitat losses, including the loss of roost
sites and foraging habitat. The effects of small population size, restricted range, few colonies, slow
reproduction, low fertility, and relative isolation also contribute to its vulnerability. Other factors also may
impact the species, such as its removal from buildings or artificial structures being used as roost sites, removal of
roost trees, impacts from large or intense hurricanes, and pesticides and contaminants from multiple sources that
impact both the bat and prey insects. Other potential threats include competition with native species for roost
sites, disease, and predation. Overall, these threats pose significant risk to the survival of the species.
https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/flbonnetedbat.htm

10. Fairchild's Connect to Protect Network
enlists Miami residents to plant native plants in order to
connect the few remaining isolated fragments of pine
rockland. Planted areas can include private yards, rights-of-
way along roads, and public lands such as schools and parks. Installing native pine rockland plants and removing
non-native, invasive plants increases the probability that bees, butterflies and birds can find and transport seeds
and pollen across developed areas that separate pine rockland fragments, improving gene flow and genetic
health of native plant species.
Joining Connect to Protect is free and easy! They only require that you are located in Miami-Dade County,
and that you can maintain pine rockland plants (existing or donated) on your property for at least two years. If
you would like to join the network but do not own property, you are welcome to join as an Email-only member,
just contact them at ConnectToProtect@fairchildgarden.org.
Membership benefits:
Free plants! New members have the opportunity to receive a free "pine rockland starter kit," grown by native plant experts
in Fairchild's nursery. Existing members watch the newsletter for other opportunities for free plants throughout the year.
Yard sign: We provide an optional yard sign to signify your property is part of Fairchild's Connect to Protect Network.
Newsletter: All members receive the Connect to Protect Network's monthly e-newsletter
Member meeting: Members convene semi-annually for education, discussion, plant exchange, and a pine rockland field trip.
Citizen Science: All members have the opportunity to act as citizen scientists, providing information back to the network.
Lower bills and increased wildlife presence: Last but not least, members receive all of the benefits that come with planting
native plants (lower water and maintenance bills, increased visits from birds and butterflies).
Need Gear? Let the MPRC know if you would like to order a shirt or
hoodie. Not only do they look great but they help the MPRC build
our war chest. The holidays are just around the corner & MPRC
gear makes a great gift for the activist in you or your family. Let
the coalition know if you would like to beef up your wardrobe
with one of our “Straight Outta The Rocklands” shirts.
Please watch for new items coming soon!

11. We are pleased to announce that the MPRC will be guest speaking
at the “LOVE the EVERGLADES” symposium on August 6
at the Miccosukee Resort & Convention Center. President Al Sun
shine will be speaking before a large group of environmental activists.
We will also have a booth set up outside the main hall to educate
attendees about our enduring fight against wealthy land-grabbing
developers. We are seeking volunteers to assist at the booth. We
would also like to have a large contingency attend to represent the
coalition. Please let us know if you would like to volunteer. You can find information for the symposium at
http://www.lovetheeverglades.org/events.html
Mark your calendars for August Re-Charge to Save the Pine Rocklands. Our next
monthly meeting will be on Thursday, August 25 @ 7:00 pm at the Tropical Audubon
Society, 5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami.
We are seeking a sponsor (s) for our very successful educational
coloring books. If you or someone you know would like to sponsor
the printing of our books please let the MPRC know. We would be
delighted to tell the world about your generous donation.
We extend a SPECIAL THANKS to our Coalition partners & to you, Our Members
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not every man’s greed. - Mohandas K Gandhi