Key Biscayne's Citizen Scientist Project

OBJECTIVE: MAINTAINING THE ISLAND PARADISE

The Key Biscayne Citizen Scientist Project: Citizen Scientist: A resident of or visitor to Key Biscayne involved in monitoring and reporting on the Key’s land marine habitat and sharing news and information on projects affecting the local environment with the objective of maintaining the natural resources of the Key. Vision: A future Key Biscayne characterized by the same bounty and quality of natural resources that exist today, thus maintaining the title of Island Paradise.

Mission: Using Citizen and Professional Scientists, develop and continuously update the project’s web site to provide the information needed to maintain the most critical natural resources of Key Biscayne.

Survey results A total of 735 residents completed the 47-question survey

10.2

English Spanish

Most surveys were completed in English But, 62% of the respondents identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino

89.8

Survey demographic results 35

Percentage

30

The sample population was similar to that in the 2010 US Census

25 20 15 10 5 0 Less than 18-30 years 31-40 years 41-50 years 51-60 years Over 60 18 years old old old old old years old Age group

The average age was slightly older than 31-40 year olds

60

The sample population was very highly educated

Percentage

50 40 30 20 10 0 High school

Some College graduate Post graduate undergraduate studies studies Highest educational level attained

90% held a bachelor’s degree or higher

Examples of Key Resources & Participation from resident Survey (735 returns)

Beaches (94%)

Coral Reefs (39%)

Green Spaces (90%)

Mangroves

Pathways (77%)

Waterways (54%)

Resources in the best and worst conditions 60

Perecentage

50 40 30 20 10 0 Beaches

Mangroves Sea grasses

Corals

Sea turtles

Resource Best condition

Worst condition

Fisheries

Water quality

Over half the respondents believed that beaches were the resources in best condition By contrast, almost 30% believed that water quality was the resource in worst condition

Activities that impact Key Biscayne resources At least 40% or more of the respondents felt that all listed activities had major to moderate impacts on Key Biscayne resources

Beach nourishment Climate change Boating Dredging in the Port of Miami Sewage Tourism Development Overfishing Pollution/solid waste/trash 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

The most severe impacts were those resulting from pollution and development But, 29% were unsure about the dredging project in the Port of Miami, and 25% were unsure about overfishing

Priority action areas 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Environmental education was perceived as highest priority area, followed by sea turtle and fishery restrictions Imposing daily visitor limits and removing exotic plants were given the lowest priorities

Conclusions The project was successful in obtaining a large sample Thanks in a large part to the efforts of the Village, the Foundation, local schools and of course the residents

Results demonstrate a dedicated use of the resources Especially via beach visitation and green space use

Residents are concerned about the area’s coastal and marine resources The view is that the resources are being impacted by multiple stressors

Residents prioritize education and some types of limited access to protect the area’s most vulnerable resources There is also considerable support to participate in the Citizen Scientist Program

Partner Involvement: Partners and Sponsors are critical to meet Citizen Scientist Project activities, examples include: Previous Activities: Lectures: beaches, water quality, hurricanes, turtles Activities: Fishing Clinic (80+ kids), Bill Baggs restoration area field trip working with schools to develop projects for students.

Ongoing Activities: RSMAS: Fish Clinic, Lectures and Field trips Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park: Lectures, Fish Clinic and Field trips Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center: Lectures and Field trips

Hands-On Projects: Youth Fishing Clinic

Web Portal: www.keyscience.org

Sampling of Future Activities: Key Biscayne’s Citizen Scientist Lab provides a place to record and organize your findings in and around our island and to learn more about our island. It encourages the participation of a wide variety of residents and visitors to Key Biscayne, including, but not exclusive to, students, seniors, families, birders, beach combers, park rangers, professors, ecologists, and fishermen.

Future Activity: Butterfly & Nature Trail A Butterfly & Nature Trail using Public Art locations as initial sites for plants used by butterflies/birds; Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park; Fairchild Tropical Gardens Plants Nature Trail & create a Key Challenge; Key Biscayne Landscaping Committee; Community involvement: KB Chamber of Commerce; local schools; bike key biscayne.

UF IFAS Extension: Community Butterfly-scaping (creating large scale community habitats);

Importance Educational opportunity for residents and visitors: Create a community wide challenge; Create a tourism activity for visitors that showcases the island treasures; Create an activity for families that engages and informs residents about natural resources;

Desired Outcome of Project: Key Biscayne residents and visitors obtain, record, and provide to the Project information needed by present and future generations to maintain the most valuable of the Island’s resources.

MAINTAINING THE ISLAND PARADISE