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State Representatives Vance Aloupis and Demi Busatta Cabrera visited the Deering Estate’s field study research center on Thursday, June 17, to tour the renovations of the 10,700-square-foot field study research center that were completed in 2021.
Renovations included roof replacement and the construction of ADA compliant bathrooms and bedroom. The facility now can provide temporary living quarters for up to 14 researchers as well as house an archival library and a field staff office for the Deering Estate and Deering Estate Foundation.
In 2019, Rep. Aloupis and State Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez championed a funding request which was approved to expand the reputation of the Deering Estate as a cultural and ecological field station, as well as a significant research site. The Deering Estate Foundation hosted Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez and other invited guests for a presentation of a State of Florida legislative appropriation of $200,000 to begin renovations of the field study research center.
For more than 30 years, researchers have studied the unique ecological, geological and archaeological features on the 450-acre Deering Estate property, which is a historic park and natural preserve owned by the state and operated by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. These funds start the process of increasing the research capacity and retain a library of the findings.
The Deering Estate property is a unique area to study the economic interaction between the Everglades restoration and key Florida industries of fishing, agriculture and ecotourism.
It is the only portion of the Everglades Restoration Project (ERP) located in an urban setting which is easily accessed by the public.
The Deering Estate is part of the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) through its collaborative work with Florida International University (FIU) School of Environment, Arts and Society (SEAS). Biological field stations provide living libraries and outdoor laboratories for students, researchers and the general public interested in the environment. They vary greatly in form and purpose, yet they share the same commitment to advancing our understanding of the earth by supporting research, teaching and public education.
“Research stations provide an invaluable service to local communities and the country by contributing unbiased scientific information and facilities to help governmental and other stakeholders tackle critical environmental issues,” explained Jennifer Tisthammer, Deering Estate director and chief of conservation for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. “Field station staff and researchers often play a critical role in ensuring that environmental considerations are factored into local and regional planning and development decisions.
“We are proud of the partnership with our legislative advocates, the Deering Estate Foundation, and our collaborative approach to fostering meaningful dialogues on evidence based conservation, discovery and learning that the field station supports,” she added.
The Deering Estate is located at 16701 SW 72 Ave. in Palmetto Bay.
