Connect to Protect
Fairchild’s Connect to Protect Network is a citizen science program that enlists South Florida residents to plant native plants in order to connect the few remaining isolated fragments of pine rockland— our globally critically imperiled ecosystem. Installing native plants increases the probability that bees, butterflies and birds can find and transport seeds and pollen across developed areas that separate pine rockland fragments, improving gene flow and the prospects for survival of our region’s unique native plant heritage. The program is run by the Garden’s Conservation Team.
Become a member / Contact us
Joining Connect to Protect is easy. We only require that you are located in Miami-Dade or Monroe County, have an email address, do not over-use fertilizer, and can maintain pesticide-free pine rockland plants on your property for at least two years. To join, simply email your name, address, and telephone number to ConnectToProtect@fairchildgarden.org. Schools and businesses, please provide the name of your institution and the names and email addresses of two additional coworkers who support joining the network. Do you still have questions about membership? Check out our Membership FAQs
Membership benefits:
- Be a citizen scientist, providing information back to the network via occasional email polls. See our 2019 survey results.
- Learn about nature through our monthly newsletter, group hikes, expert lectures, and more.
- Pine Rockland Starter Kit. New members may pick 5 free plants (10 for schools) grown by Fairchild native plant experts.
- Yard sign. Click here to see our optional free sign.
- Lower maintenance costs and increased wildlife presence.
Backyard biodiversity: ones to watch for
Once you have built great wildlife habitat in your yard, some of South Florida’s rarest butterflies and moths may come for a visit. Keep your eyes peeled for these rare gems, our 5 Most Wanted rare pine rockland pollinators: Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak, faithful beauty, Florida duskywing, lesser wasp moth, and yellow-banded wasp moth. We are tracking which of these appear in urban yards. Click the flyer on the right to learn more.
Seed needs
For a handful of species, we can never get enough seed and rely on homeowners to help provide them. Currently, our greatest needs are for pineland croton, torchwood, Biscayne prickly ash, and yellowwood. Members can drop seeds off at our nursery or mail them to us. Click the flyer on the right to learn more.
Pine rockland resources
- Gann et al. (2020) Guidelines for creating a pine rockland (new!)
- Moas (2016) Creating a native pine rockland “meadow” in Miami
- Moyroud (1997) South Florida slash pine
- Shaw, C. (1975) Pine and Hammock Forestlands of Dade Co
- Brown & Cooprider (2010) All about our native cycad, the Coontie
- Escobedo et al. (2010) Ecosystem Services of Miami’s urban Forests
- Possley et al. (2018) Management Plan for the Richmond Pine Rocklands
- FNAI (2010) Pine rockland description
Visit a pine rockland
Are you wondering which pine rocklands are open for a visit? Here are our top recommendations:
Preserves that are FREE to visit, have facilities and at least some portions that are ADA accessible.
Larry & Penny Thompson Park *
Ron Ehman Park
AD Barnes Park
(* indicates the preserve is pictured above)
Preserves that are FREE to visit but lack facilities, staff, ADA trails, and/or parking.
Florida City EEL preserve
Goulds EEL preserve
Pineshore EEL preserve
Navy Wells EEL preserve
Rockdale EEL preserve *
Preserves with admission fees; these have staff, facilities, and parking.
The Deering Estate * (see the pineland on guided nature tour).
Get more plants!
Nurseries we recommend
Click the buttons below to visit the websites of local native plant vendors we recommend. You can also purchase pine rockland plants at periodic sales hosted by Fairchild Garden or Tropical Audubon Society, or check to see which native plants are currently available on Fairchild’s virtual plant sale.
Garden help:
Design, installation and maintenance
These professionals have our recommendation for installing and maintaining native plant gardens. We gladly feature businesses that (1) have installed or upgraded at least 5 Florida native plantings, (2) do not install non-native invasive species, and (3) provide at least two clients who will vouch for their skills, work ethic and professionalism.
Florida Roots, Inc.
Steven specializes in Florida native gardens. Contact him at floridarootsinc@gmail.com or 786.277.8739.
Jojo’s Garden
Joey specializes in Florida native gardens. Contact him at jojosgardenmiami@gmail.com
adam & eve architecture & garden
adam & eve specializes in the design of native landscapes and modern homes. Contact Buck: 786.291.4824
NaMa Native Landscapes
NaMa specializes in the design and installation of South Florida native outdoor environments. Contact Natalia and Mauricio at 305.713.3596 or namanatives@gmail.com
Pot return program
We do use plastic pots in our nursery, but we hope they are not single-use plastic! CTPN members often return donated plant pots to us, for reuse them in the nursery. We gladly accept undamaged pots during any distribution day for new member Starter Kits. If you can reuse them at home, that is great, too!
Our partners
The Endangered Plant Advisory Council, part of the Florida Dept. of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industry
Miami-Dade County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program
The Institute for Regional Conservation & their Natives for Your Neighborhood program
Donate
CTPN relies largely on donations for purchase of pots, soil, and yard signs while keeping CTPN free for all members. Online credit card donations are quick and easy. To enquire about making larger or in-kind donations, contact us at ConnectToProtect@fairchildgarden.org. Thanks to our many generous donors!
Photo credits:
Banner image by Eliana Ardila Kramer.
Pine rockland preserve photos from left to right by Jennifer Possley, Lydia Cuni, and Jennifer Possley