Eco-Teers Participate in First Flamingo Gardens Moth BioBlitz

April 26, 2025 marked an exciting milestone for Flamingo Gardens as the Flamingo Gardens Eco-teers took part in our very first BioBlitz event, hosted in collaboration with our outstanding Horticulture team. Organized by Botanical Curator Amy Reilly, the evening brought together a vibrant community of 89 participants, including entomologists, Master Gardeners, nature enthusiasts, and dedicated volunteers.

From 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM, the gardens came alive with activity as attendees worked hands-on to identify and document the incredible biodiversity found throughout Flamingo Gardens. Observation stations were set up to attract insects, which participants then recorded and identified using the iNaturalist app under the project name Flamingo Gardens BioBlitz 2025.

By the following morning, the team had logged an impressive 193 insect observations, representing approximately 60 different species! Each entry contributed valuable data to our growing understanding of the ecosystems thriving within the gardens and reinforced the importance of community science in environmental stewardship.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the magical release of Luna moths. Several moths were released onsite, adding an enchanting element to the nighttime gardens, while others were sent home with attendees to emerge and later be released in new locations, helping to support moth populations across the region.

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this inaugural BioBlitz: the Master Gardeners, the Flamingo Gardens Horticulture team, the Eco-teers, and all the volunteers and guests who brought their passion and curiosity to the event.

UF Master Gardener Volunteers – Class of 2025:
Lorna Bravo
Stephen Deegan

USDA Entomologists:
James Munroe
Julia Schwierking
Jose Gerena

Broward College:
David Serrano, PhD
Professor & Environmental Science BS Program Manager
Director, Broward College Insect Collection (BROW:BCIC)
Director, Broward College Botanical Collection (BROW:BCIC)

University of Florida:
Adam Pitcher
UF Entomologist

We are also deeply grateful to our dedicated Flamingo Gardens staff and volunteers:
Chris Maler, Senior Director of Horticulture
Amy Rielly, Botanical Curator
Anita Sobaram, Education Manager
Ashley Vieria, Eco-teer Coordinator
Flamingo Gardens Eco-teer Volunteers
Flamingo Gardens Horticulture Volunteers

Your support and enthusiasm for environmental education inspire us to continue offering engaging, community-driven experiences that connect people with nature in meaningful ways.

We look forward to hosting more BioBlitz events and other exciting programs soon. Stay tuned—and get ready to explore, learn, and make a difference!

To get involved and help create positive change in your community contact Ashley Vieira at [email protected] or call (954) 473-2955 x134.

Eco-Teers: An End To Winter and Jump Into Spring!

As winter came to a close, Eco-Teers stayed busy with impactful projects, community engagement, and climate education. Here’s a look back at all we accomplished during February and March.

Pollinator Gardens & Rain Barrels

On February 6th, thirty butterflies were released into the newly renovated pollinator garden at Memorial Hospital’s pavilion garden, marking the beginning of a thriving ecosystem designed to support local pollinators and beautify the space.

Eco-Teers followed this success with another garden renovation at Memorial West on February 22nd. Alongside the renovation, a Rain Barrel was installed to promote sustainable water use, and an additional 20 native plants were added, bringing the total to around 50. These efforts enhance habitats for pollinators and contribute to local biodiversity.

Climate Education & Awareness

On February 25th, Eco-Teers attended a virtual Climate Seminar led by Dr. Michael Falkowski, Program Manager of The NASA Wildland Fire Program. His discussion focused on the influence of climate change and human activity on global fire regimes, highlighting how land-use changes, fossil fuel consumption, and ignition sources are driving catastrophic wildfires. Inspired by this seminar, Eco-Teers are more committed than ever to projects that protect and restore our environment.

Community Cleanups & Water Conservation

We kicked off March with the International Waterway Cleanup Project at Anne Kolb Nature Center/Hollywood North Beach on March 1st. As Broward County’s largest and longest-running cleanup initiative, Eco-Teers proudly removed approximately 220 pounds of waste—four full 60-gallon garbage bags—from local waterways, helping to preserve our precious ecosystems.

On March 8th, Eco-Teers participated in the City of Sunrise’s Water Matters Day, where we connected with community members and other organizations to share our efforts in conserving water. We also promoted our ongoing Rain Barrel installations—if your organization or business is interested, reach out to us at [email protected].

We wrapped up the month with Earth Hour on March 22nd. Eco-Teers spread awareness about this global movement, where landmarks worldwide go dark for one hour to emphasize the importance of reducing energy consumption. Originally started in Australia, Earth Hour serves as a powerful symbol of collective action against climate change.

Thank You to Our Volunteers and Supporters!

Eco-Teers would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all our volunteers and donors who make these projects possible. Your support allows us to continue our mission of depicting, preserving, and providing education about the natural and cultural heritage of South Florida and the Everglades.

If you’d like to join us, email our Eco-Teer Coordinator, Ashley Vieira, at [email protected] or call us at 954-473-2955 ext. 134. Together, we’re making a lasting impact on our environment—one project at a time.

Eco-teers: New Year, New Projects!

Saturday, January 25th, 2025

Over the weekend, our dedicated Eco-Teers participated in a multitude of environmental projects that have significantly impacted our communities and natural landscapes. From composting workshops to restoring native habitats and educating the public on sustainable practices, our volunteers have demonstrated commitment and passion for protecting the environment.

One notable project, this past Saturday, involved attending a compost workshop in Miami led by Francisco Torres. This hands-on workshop enlightened our volunteers on the correct process of composting and ways it can be incorporated into daily life. This educational project will assist in our sustainability initiatives and future developments.

Sunday, January 26th, 2025

Another significant initiative was our Butterfly Garden installment at the pavilion of Memorial Hospital – West on Sunday the 26th, where volunteers planted a large amount of host and nectar plants for pollinators. This not only improved aesthetics for patients and staff at the hospital, but it also fostered a sense of community and environmental stewardship as well as reintroducing wildlife such as butterflies, birds, and native insects while providing shade.

In addition to hands-on projects, our volunteers have been instrumental in organizing educational workshops and outreach programs. These initiatives have raised awareness about environmental issues and equipped individuals with the knowledge and tools to make a positive difference in their own lives and communities.

We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our donors and volunteers, whose generous contributions have made these projects possible. Their financial support has provided the necessary resources for equipment, materials, and logistical needs, ensuring the success of our endeavors. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication. Your efforts are making a lasting impact on our environment and inspiring others to join in our mission for a greener, healthier planet.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Join us for our next adventure!

February Events:

  • February 1st, 2025 (Saturday) – Eco Action Day at Fern Forest
    • Eco-Teers will be removing invasives and waste. This project will be from 9AM to 12PM.
Location: 201 S Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33063
  • February 2nd, 2025 (Sunday) – Rain Barrell Install & Annual Gala
    • Eco-Teers will also be installing a rain barrel for the grant project to the memorial butterfly garden, installations to be announced with details in another email. I’m estimating for this same weekend, if not, the following.
    • Our Annual Food & Wine Gala, volunteers needed, sign up on signup.com
  • February 8th/9th 2025 (This weekend) – Volunteers will be installing another butterfly garden for Broward County Animal Care Dept. Humane Society was hoping to have their own butterfly garden at one of the shelters in honor of the animals. Date/Time pending. 
  • February 25th, 2025 (Tuesday) – Climate Change Seminar
    • Dr. Michael Falkowski, Program Manager of the NASA Wildland Fire Program, will address how climate change and human activity are changing fire regimes worldwide. 
Location: Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149

March Events:

  • March 1st, 2025 (Saturday) – Water Way Clean Up
    • EcoTeers will be participating in a waterway cleanup at Anne Kolb Nature Center from 9am to 12pm. More details to come!
  • March 22nd, 2025 (Saturday) – Native Plant Day, UF IFAS will be hosting a rain barrel workshop at Castellow Hammock Park and Nature Center

    • Learn about water conservation at the Rain Barrel Workshop during Native Plant Day on Saturday, March 22, hosted by the UF IFAS Miami-Dade Urban Horticulture Program. Held at one of Miami-Dade County’s scenic nature centers, this workshop highlights the benefits of rain barrels for sustainable gardening and provides practical tips on their use.

Register here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rain-barrel-workshop-at-native-plant-day-tickets-1087084672519

If you would like to join the Eco-teers for our next project, contact Ashley at [email protected] or call 954-473-2955 for more information.

Eco-teers: August Was a Flutter

On August 18th, the Eco-Teers engaged in a donation and butterfly garden planting event in collaboration with the Barbara Goleman Senior High School “Bionomics” club. The club has been seeking resources and support to develop a new, aesthetically pleasing garden at the school’s entrance. This project aims to create a vibrant garden that will serve as a welcoming habitat for native insects and plants.

Eco-Teers contributed 10 Gold Trailing Lantanas and 10 Red Lantanas to the initiative as well as multiple volunteers to help dig holes and aid with planting safely. Additionally, BGSHS received further support from a local nursery, which donated a variety of native plants including Purple Porterweed, Dwarf Firebush in several colors, and Pentas. Between 9 AM and 11 AM, volunteers and students successfully planted these 30 new specimens and removed older, struggling plants from the garden. We look forward to updating you on this project in the future as we intend to provide another set of volunteers to assist in reintroducing native pollinator plants.

A butterfly garden serves multiple purposes:

  • Habitat Creation: It provides essential resources like nectar and shelter for butterflies.
  • Biodiversity Support: By attracting a variety of butterfly species, it helps maintain local biodiversity and supports the ecosystem.
  • Pollination: Butterflies play a crucial role in pollinating plants, which benefits the surrounding flora and contributes to a healthier environment.
  • Educational Value: It offers an opportunity for learning about butterflies, their life cycle, and the importance of pollinators in ecosystems.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: With vibrant flowers and plants, a butterfly garden enhances the visual beauty of the space, creating a serene and colorful environment.
  • Community Engagement: It can serve as a focal point for community involvement and educational programs, fostering a connection between people and nature.

Future Projects to look forward to:

September 7th – Miramar Pineland – Invasives removal from 9AM to 12PM

September 21st – MEEC at Dania Beach/Hollywood – Coastal Cleanup (in honor of International Coastal Cleanup 2024) ALL DAY booth and beach cleanup event (projection 9AM to 3PM)

Eco-teers: Garden for Wildlife Habitats

Ecoteer’s participated with the City of Sunrise today in a “Garden for Wildlife Habitats” workshop with the hopes of getting the general public to certify their neighborhoods as “wildlife friendly habitats”. This event was held at Flamingo Park and lasted from 10 AM to 12PM. Part of encouraging the public to understand and create a wildlife friendly garden required informing them on how to initiate and maintain such an environment. They were educated on the importance of native plants (coontie, milkweed, salvia, etc.), how to grow them, and where to properly purchase natives as opposed to their look-alike invasive counterparts. This presentation also included the growth cycle and instructions on how to care for each of the many species. Much of the invitees, including EcoTeers, were lucky enough to take home a plant or two to grow in their own gardens and reintroduce wildlife back to formerly populated areas. It was estimated that we had 30-45 attendees and over 15 committed to certifying their neighborhoods online. We have also learned that our heat zone for Broward County has moved from a 10B to now an 11 so that directly correlates with the types of species that will thrive in our environment. This information will be a lead into our following projects toward the end of May and Early June. I’m looking forward to sharing all of those details with you as we grow the number of projects we practice monthly.

EcoAction at Central Broward Regional Park

Saturday February 24th 2023, EcoTeers participated in an EcoAction event day at one of our natural parks. Central Broward Regional Park held an invasives/waste removal from 9AM to 12PM. We were able to remove up to 100 pounds of Oyster Plant (Tradescantia Spathacea) also known for causing itching and irritating the skin of anyone who may touch the sap.

We also removed 150 pounds of plastic and other waste found at the park. Some objects to note (bottles, a bag full of dog toys stuck inside a bush, paper, straws, etc.). Volunteers were also educated on some of our native plants growing in the park such as our Smilax Vines and our Carolina Willow.

A total of 5 volunteers participated from Flamingo Gardens EcoTeers not including our Coordinator. As a whole 13 volunteers participated in making the park look safe and presentable for others walking through and for our wildlife. We look forward to participating in other EcoAction dates and to any prospective volunteers who wish to join.

For those looking forward to future events,

March is Water Matters Month in Broward County so we will be holding/.participating in events that align with water conservation purposes.

  • March 2nd will be a PUBLIC waterway cleanup, there will be a mass cleanup of our natural parks and waterways from 9AM to 12PM in honor of water matters month. We encourage all our EcoTeers to participate on their own if they are able. Anyone who wishes to participate in the public cleanup can find more information here: https://waterwaycleanup.org/
     
  • March 9th – Flamingo Gardens “EcoTeer” coordinator will be holding a booth for recruitment and education purposes at Tree Tops Park to celebrate “World Water Day” on March 22nd. Those who wish to apply as a volunteer or who have questions are welcome to visit. Our horticulture team will also be attendance at another booth during this event.
  • March 10th – EcoTeers will be hosting their very own waterway cleanup in honor of Broward County’s annual team cleanup. This event will be held at Dania Beach pier/marina from 9am-12pm. We’re looking forward to seeing our EcoTeers and any new faces who plan on attending. 

Eco-Teers: Southgate Meadow

Saturday January 27th from 3PM to 5PM EcoTeers participated in the Southgate Meadow reconstruction that has been going on for the last 2-3 years. We contributed by removing 3 plots of overrun weeds and invasive plants (such as Weedella and Richardia) in order for the meadow to be ready to plant new native species. We have seen incredible growth in some of the plants that were planted months ago and look forward to seeing how the newer ones develop over time as well. We had 3 volunteers participate in invasive removals and one other volunteer decided to stay late to do some identification work and log them into the app “INaturalist” that we use to keep track of all plant species we see develop in the area. We have also seen some improvement in bringing our wildlife back to this grassy area, there is now a family of burrowing owls nearby which are known to be a threatened species now as well as many different varieties of butterflies. February/March projects and events upcoming, stay tuned for more!

 

Eco-teers: Anne Kolb Nature Center Clean-Up

Saturday December 9th 2023, EcoTeers had a park cleanup event at Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood. We were tasked with removing palm fronds and other natural debris from a lakefront, butterfly garden, and park trail. The park Manager/ Naturalist gave us some history on the 1500-acre park and how/why the park was created in 1996. The park has a watch tower of 72 steps high that allows you to look out and read signage on our Florida natural history. For example, our Port Everglades Inlet, Intracoastal Waterway History, and Mangroves. We were able to see a somewhat rare Atala Butterfly that was brought back by the planting of Coontie plants. We also learned that they’ve been removing Australian pines in the area in order to help prevent those local shorelines. In our time there, we were able to collect two large industrial waste bins and four smaller receptacles of natural debris and other materials. Additionally, EcoTeers collected any plastic found about the gardens in order to stand behind our fight for proper recycling. The estimated total of natural plant matter removed is totaled to be around 300-400 pounds in (4 cubic yards). We filled one large gallon sized bag with plastic and other waste matter to be recycled as they were found scattered throughout the nature center (estimated to be around 5-10 pounds of waste). This project carried on from 9AM to 12PM with the assistance of two park managers and naturalists.

Eco-teers: Everglades Holiday Park Scientific Survey

November 10th, 2023 - Everglades Holiday Park

Eco-Teers had the opportunity to shadow a Park Naturalist to learn how scientists/ecologists use information to gain insight about a specific area. We learned about the different foliage and wildlife found at their organization such as Beauty Berry (Callicarpa) and how the leaves can also be used as insect repellant. We conducted a test using samples from two bodies of water and compared our results.

We took measurements on overall air temperature, water temperature, water depth and date/time of day. Eco-Teers took a more in depth look at scientific measurements such as pH, Turbidity, Nitrate, Phosphate, and dissolved Oxygen. We found that this was important to note as it gives an overall idea of how the activity in the area affects the water we use. Though our results from A and B samples were not far off they did tell us there was a difference immensely affecting our wildlife. Sample A and B differed in that A had a score of “4” in the dissolved oxygen category and sample B had a score of “2”. This may seem hollow as those are just numerical measurements but dissolved oxygen is required for aquatic animals to live. The scale in which we measure dissolved oxygen shows us that “3ppm” or lower are extremely stressful environments for our aquatic organisms to live. Anything below 2 or 1 will not support aquatic life. Levels 5 to 6 are typically required for the growth and development of these organisms.

This was further proven when we took samples of aquatic organisms out of these bodies of water and into bins filled with the same kind of water. Our pollution tolerance index came out to a score of 8 which is said to be “fair” though it’s not good or recommended for aquatic life to thrive. Most of what was found were dobsonflies and damselflies along with their larvae, though we found a few snails and glass shrimp. We also found much different organisms in Sample A’s body of water such as Pleco fish.

Overall, the census that we came to is that sample A had better water quality than sample B though it wasn’t too far in location or difference in quality.

If you would like to join the Eco-teers and help make an impact in our community against pollution and climate change, contact Ashley at [email protected] or call 954-473-2955 for more information.

Eco-teers – National Weather Service Visit

On Saturday July 29th our Eco-Teers toured the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Miami hurricane center, also known as the National Weather Service (NWS). Eco-Teers were lucky enough to get a comprehensive tour into their facility and speeches from the majority of their staff detailing their daily responsibilities and how that affects us as civilians. Robert Molleda (Warning Coordination Meteorologist) spent the full two hours walking us through each department and ended each department with a Q&A. We were able to see their news/media room where they give full weather reports during times of crisis, we were escorted through the main weather prediction center where the employees detailed how they perform multiple operations and procedures during hurricane seasons and throughout the year.

We also got information from the coastal marine forecast department on how they track ships coming in and out of ports during fluctuating weather events and how that affects our commerce, (i.e. cargo, cruises, etc). We were able to speak to a few employees that enlightened us to different ways they have experienced tracking hurricanes outside of the everyday office-work. Two specific employees shared their experiences in flying into the eye of a hurricane in order to gather information on those storms and send it back to their respective organizations with NOAA and the U.S. Military. We were able to see some of the equipment that’s used for hurricane tracking for example; hydrogen balloons being sent into the hurricane and any information picked up being sent back via radio and then transmitted to a PC.

Additionally, Melissa Auld, our Director of Operational Systems and IT, and I were told about an opportunity to become Weather Ready Nation ambassadors (WRNA) which is useful for the everyday procedures taken at Flamingo Gardens to keep guests and employees safe. It’s also valuable for me to have for the purposes of outreach projects and educating the public. We are excited to participate in this opportunity.

If you would like to join the Eco-teers and help make an impact in our community against pollution and climate change, contact Ashley at [email protected] or call 954-473-2955 for more information.