OBJECTIVE:MAINTAINING THE ISLAND PARADISE

The Key Biscayne Citizen Scientist Project:

Citizen Scientist: A resident of or visitor to Key Biscayneinvolved in monitoring and reporting on the Key’s landmarine habitat and sharing news and information onprojects affecting the local environment with the objectiveof maintaining the natural resources of the Key.

Vision: A future Key Biscayne characterized by the samebounty and quality of natural resources that exist today,thus maintaining the title of Island Paradise.

Mission: Using Citizen and Professional Scientists, developand continuously update the project’s web site to providethe information needed to maintain the most criticalnatural resources of Key Biscayne.

Survey results

� A total of 735 residents completed the 47-question survey

� Most surveys were completed in English

� But, 62% of the respondents identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino

89.8

10.2

English

Spanish

Survey demographic results

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

slightly older than 31-40 year olds

� The sample population was very highly educated� 90% held a

bachelor’s degree or higher

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Less than18 years old

18-30 yearsold

31-40 yearsold

41-50 yearsold

51-60 yearsold

Over 60years old

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rce

nta

ge

Age group

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10

20

30

40

50

60

High school Someundergraduate

studies

College graduate Post graduatestudies

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Highest educational level attained

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� 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

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10

20

30

40

50

60

Beaches Mangroves Sea grasses Corals Sea turtles Fisheries Waterquality

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rece

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Resource

Best condition 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� 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

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Pollution/solid waste/trash

Overfishing

Development

Tourism

Sewage

Dredging in the Port of Miami

Boating

Climate change

Beach nourishment

Priority action areas

� 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

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100

High priority Medium priority Low priority

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 CitizenScientist 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 todevelop projects for students.

Ongoing Activities:

� RSMAS: Fish Clinic, Lectures and Field trips

� Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park: Lectures, FishClinic 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 torecord and organize your findings in and around our islandand to learn more about our island. It encourages theparticipation of a wide variety of residents and visitors toKey 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 mostvaluable of the Island’s resources.

MAINTAINING THE ISLAND PARADISE