EcoTeers’: A Month of Environmental Impact

This November, EcoTeers continued their mission to protect Florida’s ecosystems through a series of impactful projects. From creating a haven for pollinators to combating invasive species, their efforts highlighted the importance of community action in fostering sustainability.

Revitalizing the Butterfly Garden

On November 9, EcoTeers partnered with Barbara Goleman Senior High School’s Bionomics Club to enhance their butterfly garden. This space, established in August, serves as an educational platform for students to learn about native plants and wildlife conservation. Volunteers added native plants such as lantanas and blue porterweeds and enriched the soil with fertilized potting mix. The two-hour transformation boosted the garden’s ecological and aesthetic value, providing a thriving environment for pollinators and a resource for environmental education​.

Restoring Balance at Woodmont Natural Area

On November 16, EcoTeers targeted invasive species at Woodmont Natural Area. After a guided tour by a park naturalist, volunteers identified and removed rosary pea, bitter gourd, and air potato vines—aggressive plants that outcompete native species. The team also learned about the air potato beetle, a biological control agent used to weaken this invasive plant. In just three hours, EcoTeers collected three 50-gallon bags of invasive plants, contributing significantly to the area’s ecological health.

Preserving A.D. Barnes Nature Center

On November 23 saw EcoTeers at A.D. Barnes Nature Center, where they removed 40 pounds of invasive air potato and oyster plants. These species threaten native flora and disrupt ecosystems by monopolizing resources. The team also redistributed pine needles, creating a natural walkway that enhanced the park’s appearance and functionality. By removing invasive plants and improving the environment, EcoTeers supported biodiversity and promoted a healthier landscape for Florida’s native species​.

Join Us in Making a Difference
Each project this month demonstrated the transformative power of collective action. EcoTeers are deeply grateful for the dedication of their volunteers and the support of their donors, whose contributions drive these efforts forward.

Want to get involved? Contact Ashley Vieira, EcoTeer Coordinator, at [email protected] to learn about upcoming projects and opportunities to make an impact.

Together, we can create a greener, more sustainable future for Florida’s ecosystems!

Volunteer Spotlight: Sol Rua

Our Volunteer of the Month for November Sol Rua. Sol has primarily been volunteering in Animal Care for the past few months and has made a serious impact. She is punctual and takes such great directives and is always ready for the tasks. We feel particularly proud of her as a volunteer because she was nominated by multiple staff members to be the volunteer of the month and when a suggestion comes so highly recommended you just must listen to it. Sol has in a short time already volunteered for over 65 hours and we couldn’t be more appreciative. She helps Flamingo Gardens be strong in mind, body and Sol.

Eco-Teers: “40 for 40: Spread the Love” Grant and Invasive Removal!

Flamingo Gardens is thrilled to announce that our Eco-teers program has been honored with the “40 for 40: Spread the Love” grant from the Community Foundation of Broward! To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Community Foundation awarded a total of $400,000 to 40 innovative nonprofits across Broward County, and we’re excited to be one of them. This grant will support a project that embodies our commitment to sustainability: 40 Rain Barrels for Broward.

In line with the grant’s creative requirement to incorporate “40,” the Eco-teers will install 40 rain barrels throughout the county to highlight the Foundation’s 40 years of impact and support for sustainable practices. Over the coming year, our Eco-teers will work with community gardens, schools, businesses, and nonprofits across Broward County to identify locations for these rain barrels. Our team will install and maintain each rain barrel and provide training to our partners—all at no cost to these organizations.

Why rain barrels? They’re an incredibly effective tool for sustainable water management, which is vital in our South Florida climate. By capturing and using rainwater, these barrels reduce water costs, prevent runoff pollution, lower demand on local water supplies, and reduce flood risks. More importantly, this project will raise community awareness of water conservation and showcase practical steps we can take together for a more resilient environment.

But the impact goes beyond just water conservation. One of our long-term goals is to track how much water we’re saving collectively and look for other large-scale opportunities to support Broward County’s sustainability efforts. This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the Community Foundation’s dedicated Fundholders who partner to create funds that fuel projects like this. Their support over the last 40 years has provided more than $190 million for causes ranging from student achievement and arts education to environmental resilience and social justice.

Ashley Vieira Eco-teer Coordinator and Genevieve Marcello Sr. Director of Programs

In addition to launching this rain barrel project, our Eco-teers have been hard at work. Saturday October 5th, they tackled an invasive species removal project at Fern Forest Nature Center, targeting Sida cordifolia (flannel weed) and Urena lobata (Caesar’s weed). These invasive plants, which threaten local ecosystems, were removed to restore balance to the area. Over three hours, our Eco-teers cleared nearly 100 pounds of invasive species by the root, helping to protect and rejuvenate native plant life.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Community Foundation of Broward for their continued support and are looking forward to rolling out Celebrating Sustainability: 40 Rain Barrels for Broward! To all our supporters and partners, thank you for helping us create a healthier, more sustainable Broward County.

More updates to come on future projects/events if you follow us on Instagram!
Instagram: ecoteers.fg

To volunteer with Flamingo Gardens and/or EcoTeers,
contact us at:
[email protected] or [email protected]

Volunteer Spotlight: Cesar Barraza

Our Volunteer of the Month for October is Cesar Barraza. Cesar is a phenomenal volunteer with a colorful and energetic personality. Cesar is a renaissance man and has volunteered everywhere at Flamingo Gardens. From our Café to the Wray Home, to parking, to the gift shop on any given day Ceasar could be volunteering. Where he most notably volunteers for us are on our event days. He puts the festive in festivities and always is hardworking and making a conscious effort to elevate the experience our guests. Cesar has cleaned our Hay Ride for Harvest Fest and has even dressed up in costume for us. No matter the event he has been ready and willing to do what is asked of him. Cesar has over 360 hours volunteering. We have depended on him time and time again and we are so gracious that he continues to be a shining example of what volunteering at Flamingo Gardens should mean.

Eco-Teers on a Mission: Fighting Invasive Species and Cleaning Our Coasts

September was a busy month for Eco-Teers, and we are proud to share two incredible stories of teamwork, environmental conservation, and the passion that fuels our efforts.

Battling the Rosary Pea: Invasive Species Removal Success

On September 7, 2024, a group of Eco-Teers took on a daunting task: removing the invasive Rosary Pea vine from Miramar Pineland Park. While its small, delicate flowers may look beautiful, don’t be fooled—this vine is one of the most dangerous invasive species in Florida.

Native to India, the Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) vine has wreaked havoc along the coasts and in parts of South and Central Florida. What makes it so harmful? First, its aggressive climbing habit allows it to choke out native plants, robbing trees of sunlight and nutrients as it spirals all the way up to their branches. Second, its vibrant seeds contain one of the most toxic substances on the planet: abrin. Even a small dose can be fatal to both humans and livestock.

For these reasons, the Rosary Pea vine is classified as highly invasive, and the mission to remove it was urgent. Armed with gloves, clippers, and the support of public and park naturalists, Eco-Teers managed to remove an astonishing 400 pounds of this dangerous vine. This hard-won victory didn’t just clear space for native plants to thrive again, but it also eliminated a direct threat to the park’s wildlife and visitors.

Our success that day underscores an essential point: protecting local ecosystems from invasive species is as critical as it is rewarding.

Cleaning Up Dania Beach: A Coastal Effort for a Cleaner Future

Just two weeks later, on September 21, 2024, Eco-Teers took their environmental mission to the shore for the International Coastal Cleanup at Dania Beach. This global event, hosted by the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC) and supported by American Express, brought together a diverse group of volunteers, all dedicated to one common goal—preserving our coastline.

The event was a true celebration of community spirit, with 95 volunteers (Eco-Teers and AMEX) stepping up to the challenge. The day kicked off at 9 AM, and for the next five hours, participants scoured the beach for debris—everything from packaging materials to discarded fishing gear. Each piece of trash collected was carefully logged using Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Swell app, a tool that helps track pollution data and monitor environmental trends.

For those unable to use the app, we provided forms to ensure that every bit of data was reported back to Ocean Conservancy. This information is vital for future conservation planning and to give us a clearer picture of the types of debris that plague our beaches.

The generosity of American Express didn’t stop at providing volunteers. They also supplied refreshments to keep the team going under the Florida sun, which was much needed as the hours rolled by. All in all, it was a day of triumph: we collected a total of 194 pounds of trash, with the Eco-Teers themselves clearing 40 pounds. It may seem like a small dent in the grand scheme of things, but as the 2022 Beach Cleanup Annual Report points out, while the average person may collect 1.95 pounds of trash, together, we can achieve enormous results—just like the 9,000 pounds of trash cleared worldwide in 2022.

The Power of Community Engagement

Both of these events highlighted something important: the immense power of community in environmental conservation. Whether it’s removing invasive species that threaten our ecosystems or cleaning our beaches to keep marine life safe, our collective efforts make a real difference.

These projects wouldn’t have been possible without our volunteers, partners, and the financial support of The Community Foundation of Broward and Publix Supermarket. Their contributions enable us to continue fighting for the health and beauty of Florida’s natural landscapes.

Get Involved with Eco-Teers

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of future projects like these, we welcome you to join us. Our work is ongoing, and there’s always an opportunity to lend a hand. To volunteer with Flamingo Gardens and/or Eco-Teers, reach out to us:

[email protected]
[email protected]

We’d love to have you on board as we continue our mission to protect and restore Florida’s unique ecosystems.

Learn More About Ocean Conservancy

Interested in tracking the types of debris found in beach cleanups or want to learn how to get involved? Check out these helpful resources from Ocean Conservancy:

Conclusion

September was a month of incredible achievements for Eco-Teers. From removing hundreds of pounds of invasive plants to cleaning up our coastlines, these events proved how much can be accomplished when communities come together with a shared purpose. As we look forward to future projects, we remain committed to our mission of environmental stewardship, one vine, and one piece of trash at a time.

Volunteer Spotlight: Gail Santini

Our Volunteer of the Month for September is Gail Santini. Gail is one of the most dedicated volunteers we’ve ever had. She has amassed so many hours in crucial areas for Flamingo Gardens. Over the course of her time here she has been a staple in the Wray Home where she has given our guests a phenomenal tour year in and year out. Gail is also apart of our Orchidteers Club and if you’ve seen our beautiful orchids you understand why she is such a valuable volunteer to us. It should also be noted that she can always be counted on for special events none more important than our Gala in the Gardens that she is always present for. Gail we couldn’t be more thankful for having such a versatile and well intentioned volunteer.

Volunteer Spotlight: Diane Rogers

Our Volunteer of the Month for August is Diane Rogers. Diane is a longstanding volunteer and member of Flamingo Gardens. She works with our Orchidteers and is always pleasant to be around. She is consistent, judicious, dependable, and relatable. Diane always works well with other volunteers and regularly is known to get incoming Orchidteers acclimated to the rigorous but rewarding work that they do. Diane can be counted on to make anyone feel at home here at Flamino Gardens and that is a major reason why we appreciate her so much. She has volunteered over 1200 hours with us. We are so grateful to have Diane here and look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.

Volunteer Spotlight: Sevval Karatas

Our Volunteer of the Month for July is Sevval Karatas. Sevval has done so much for us this month. She has already volunteered 50 hours in the month of July and has been all smiles in doing so.

She can often be found greeting guest in our gift shop or assisting younger children in the gallery with our Dino exhibit. Her versatility has been applauded as she has helped serve in our Flamingo Café as well. Her warm personality, cheerful attitude, and humble demeanor have given the guests a special experience and we are thankful to have her.

Eco-teers Tackle Invasive Species and Environmental Cleanup

Saturday, July 6th, 2024 – Invasive Species Removal at Long Key Natural Area

On July 6th, Eco-teers actively engaged in an invasive species removal initiative at Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center. Our volunteers dedicated three hours to the careful extraction of an estimated 250-300 pounds of snake plants from their roots. Snake plants, notorious for their invasive nature once established in soil, possess a rapid spreading capability that threatens our native flora. These plants form very compact infestations and create their own monoculture, making them a significant threat to the local ecosystem.

How You Can Safely Remove Snake Plants from Your Backyard

If you have snake plants in your backyard, here’s how you can safely remove them:

  1. Pull or dig out all the roots, which look like carrots. Be careful, as these plants break easily and can reappear if not pulled from the root.
  2. Pull down any vines or clusters attached to the plants.
  3. Shovel out the roots from the ground to ensure complete removal.

According to the University of Florida, “The mother-in-law’s tongue and S. hyacinthoides are two varieties of snake plants that are considered invasive. The UF/IFAS north-central-south Florida zone assessment considers this group of plants to have a high invasion risk.” Learn more from the University of Florida here.

Friday, July 19th, 2024 – Cleanup at Eula Johnson State Park and Dania Beach

On Friday, July 19th, the Eco-teers spent three hours cleaning Eula Johnson State Park and Dania Beach. Despite the rain and small turnout, they managed to collect 30.6 pounds of microplastics and other waste. These items harm the natural environment by disrupting nutrient cycling, sediment structure, and microbial communities. They also pose a threat to wildlife and contribute to the gradual contamination of our food sources.

Saturday, July 20th, 2024 – Extreme Weather Training in North Miami

On Saturday, July 20th, Ashley Vieira, our Eco-teer Coordinator, and Melissa Auld, Sr. Director of Operations, attended the Extreme Weather Training in North Miami. This event was presented by the CLEO Institute in partnership with the Miami-Dade Department of Emergency Management, Miami-Dade County CERT, and Miami Climate Alliance. The training focused on life-saving strategies to thrive in extreme heat, storms, and other weather challenges, equipping our team with valuable knowledge to better serve our community in times of need.

Join Us!

Join us in our efforts to protect and preserve our natural environments! Together, we can make a difference. For those looking to join EcoTeers/Flamingo Garden’s Volunteers, our coordinator will be attending the “Back to School” booth on August 3rd from 10 AM to 3 PM at Sunrise Athletic Complex, located at 11501 NW 44th Street, Sunrise, 33351.

Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming events and initiatives.

Volunteer Spotlight: Geoffrey Dix

Our Volunteer of the Month for June is Geoffrey Dix. Jeff as he likes to be called has been volunteering with us since May and already has over 112 hours. He has helped in our Wray and our Gallery since we’ve had our Dinosaurs Around the World Exhibit. The place you can see him the most is the Tram. He spends a lot of time keeping that area clean, assisting guests, and providing optimal hospitality. He is always eager and willing to do what we ask and remains in good spirits about every task. It has been great to have him here.