The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 224several historically significant buildings, including Charles Deering's “Stone House” built in 1922.The Richmond House (1896) and the Richmond Cottage (1900) are two of the few examples of earlyframe vernacular architecture remaining in southern Florida. Human remains from the Estate dateback 10,000 years to the Paleo-Indians; Tequesta Indians occupied the site later, from 2000 YBP tothe late 1700s. Matheson Hammock Park ____.THREATS: Bird Key: [none?]. Bill Baggs–Cape Florida State Park: *proposed development (sportsfield), human disturbance, exotic plants, runoff. Biscayne National Park: *offsite development,human disturbance, runoff. The Deering Estate at Cutler: [none?]. Matheson Hammock Park:human disturbance.CONSERVATION ISSUES: Bird Key: The landowner has permitted the Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission to close the island to the public to protect the rookery. Bill Baggs–CapeFlorida State Park: Since Hurricane Andrew destroyed the State Park's predominantly exoticvegetation in August 1992, staff have been replanting with native species, which probably willincrease its value to birds. Many areas still require work, and the vegetation needs to mature. • Exoticvegetation is controlled as needed by park staff and volunteers. • There is an ongoing local effort todevelop a sports field within the park, a plan that is opposed by the State and Audubon. BiscayneNational Park: [mention the plan to covert Homestead Air Force Base into a commercial airport!].The Deering Estate at Cutler ____. Matheson Hammock Park ____.NOMINATED BY: Bird Key: Harry Kelton (Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, Inc.), Bill Baggs–CapeFlorida State Park: Elizabeth Golden (Florida Division of Recreation and Parks), BiscayneNational Park, The Deering Estate at Cutler, and Matheson Hammock Park: Mark Kraus andBill Pranty (Audubon of Florida)WEBSITES: ,,