projects
Initial Projects
In 1988, a group of citizens, active in the preservation of South Florida's environmental and historic heritage, met to discuss their concerns for the lack of preservation of environmentally and culturally sensitive lands in Miami-Dade County. It was decided that a land trust could be a possible solution. The Land Trust of Dade County was incorporated on August 15,1988; Sallye Jude was elected as President. The preservation of Marjory Stoneman Douglas' home site and the adjoining Cole property were selected as the Land Trust's first projects.
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The Land Trust worked with local legislators to request the State of Florida purchase, with a life tenancy, the house at 3744 Stewart Avenue in Miami, which was the residence of Marjory Stoneman Douglas. In February 1992, the State of Florida completed the purchase. Ms. Douglas lived in the house until her death at 108 in May 1998. The Land Trust was granted stewardship of the house from 1999 until 2006, when the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Recreation, retained management of the house and property.
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The second project of the Land Trust of Dade County was to acquire the adjacent property at 3754 Stewart Avenue, which had been originally part of the MSD estate. It had had two owners since her initial purchase in 1925. In November 1993 the Land Trust purchased the property from the Estate of Mrs. Carolyn Cole, Ms. Douglas’ college roommate. The property included a structure that the Land Trust had hoped to retrofit as an educational center. Unfortunately, Hurricane Andrew and its collateral damage took away that dream. The Land Trust maintained the vacant property and continued to advocate for state purchase. Finally, in December 2024, the State of Florida, through its Florida Forever Boundary Amendment program, purchased the Cole property from the Land Trust, thus conjoining the two Douglas properties as one. It is the Land Trust hope that someday the house and property will be open for limited public visitation.
Current Projects
Miami-Dade County offers the Land Trust a few challenges in fulfilling its mission. Firstly, the area is extremely urban. Secondly, the popularity of its location is reflected in its high real estate value. Thirdly, education is needed among property owners for the benefits of land easements to be understood and used.
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The county government has an Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) program that has identified properties that need protection because of the unique location, flora, and fauna. These are properties that need acquisition or have easements placed on them to protect them. The Land Trust has become familiar with the program and hopes to assist with these goals. The map shows the location of the identified properties. The Land Trust hopes to assist with this program in partnership with Miami-Dade County and other like-minded organizations.
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The Urban Development Boundary (UDB) in Miami-Dade County is a local ordinance which restricts development beyond certain limits. The concepts behind the law are for vacant inholdings to be developed before endangered wetlands are drained. Also, Adaptive Reuse of older buildings can preserve historic places and transform vacant structures into homes and offices. The Land Trust of Dade County supports these concepts and will work in concert with governments and individuals to protect the UDB.
EEL
UBD
Future Projects
The Land Trust of Dade County is looking for opportunities with private landowners, developers, environmental non-profits, and government entities to preserve endangered lands and sites in Miami-Dade County. Please contact the Land Trust if you have an interest in a potential project.
