Workshop: Green Studies Immersion: Historic Virginia Key

Course ID - CTD0488-6      

Short Title: Green Studies: J

Description:
The goal of this Earth Ethics Institute Green Studies Immersion is to give MDC faculty and staff an overview of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Participants in this Immersion will tour this important ecologically rich site and gain an understanding of its importance to Miami as a barrier island with unique and valuable ecosystems and as a gathering place with a priceless cultural and historical legacy. Attendees will view restored historic structures – carousel, pavilions, concession stand, parking lot and mini train tunnel (mini train). We will look at the shoreline to appreciate the significance of the reinstallation of the wooden groins and the debate on their utility – do the groins cause more harm than good, or are they just a panacea, delaying the inevitable and impeding a natural process? Is their reinstallation justified? Attendees will hear about some of the wildlife that makes the island and the park home and will be made aware of the significant deterioration of the site that has occurred due to invasion from exotic species. Work is now progressing to remove invasives like Brazilian Pepper and Australian pine that have significantly impacted the site. There are volunteer opportunities available in this process. 

* Approved CT&D Workshop for Faculty Professional Development hours.

Objectives

As a result of successful completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:  

• Explain the historical significance of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park from both a regional and a cultural perspective
• Explain how the Virginia Key site serves the community as a living museum
• Describe how citizen involvement prevented private development on the site of Virginia Key and how individuals can act as stewards of public spaces
• Explain how grassroots efforts initiated the restoration and reopening of this historic park
• List and explain some of the green principles that are helping to guide the restoration of the Virginia Key site
• Identify both native and exotic flora and fauna of the area
• Describe the inter-relationship of the natural ecosystems that shape the island and the park
• List and describe some effects of human interference and neglect on Virginia Key’s natural ecosystems
• Explain how the historical, cultural and recreational aspects of the Virginia Key site are supported by one another, and how the restoration effort can preserve the natural environment they inhabit

 

Dates	Reference #	Days	Time	Campus/Room	Instructor

Registration information
Course ID: - CTD0488-6
Course Title: Green Studies: J 
Reference # - see table 

How to Register

Registration for CT&D workshops are through the Student Information and Registration system.  The process for registering for a CTD workshop will be the same as registering for a regular class at MDC.  

New - Easier registration for workshops

You can access the Registration System and register for a CTD workshop using the same user name and password that use to login to your computer.    Example:   Richard Johnson  would be rjohnson     (You will NOT need to create a separate student myMDC account to register for a CTD workshop) 

Make a note of the Reference Number for the workshop then go to Registration Instructions

Once you have registered for a class, you can print your schedule.    Please make every effort to attend once you've registered as seats are limited.     However, If you need to drop, you can also do this through the Web Registration screen.     CTD classes will appear on your transcript as non-credit classes.

If you need special assistance to participate in this workshop due to a disability, please call CT&D at 7-2366 so that appropriate arrangements can be made.  College Training and Development complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.