Right now, the Center is in a lowland wooded area labeled FKWBC in this picture. The major problems with this area are that it floods and it has very limited parking. The limitations on parking impact our entire operation from the delivery of fish (frozen in a big truck) to parking school buses. Tourists are often discouraged from turning in because of the crowded parking conditions. The inability to park school buses limits our education program which could be important for the communities from South Miami to Key West.
Interestingly, just South of us, across the highway, is a piece of land owned by the State of Florida that would be perfect for our operation. Originally a quarry, it has invasive trees that the state has sporadically spent almost $100,000 trying to eradicate, and it has a deep and dangerous unfenced borrow pit full of water.
We would like to work a deal with the State to trade land or to lease this otherwise useless proerty, but so far the bureaucrats have their heads in the sand. We would get rid of the exotic plants, turn the property to good use, and do a lot of good for the environment. We need support, in this case political support, from the community.
Would you please email or call Rodney Barreto, the Chairman of the State Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-487-3796 or rodney@thebarretogroup.com
And Michael Sole, the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection at 850-245-2011 michael.sole@dep.state.fl.us
In both cases, tell them that you support the need for the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center to relocate to the state owned property on Dove Sound. We appreciate your help.
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