Here we provide categorized links and resources to useful sites.
Environmental/ Landuse/ Planning
University of Miami Ocean Pollution Research Center
www.rsmas.miami.edu/groups/oprc/
The Ocean Pollution Research Center (OPRC) is a center of innovation for developing strategies, methodologies, and technologies to deal with ocean pollution, including oil spills, thermal pollutants, marine debris, and waste discharges.
Southeastern Environmental Research Center
www.serc.fiu.edu/
The Southeast Environmental Research Center (SERC) promotes, coordinates and conducts environmental research in the southeastern United States and the Caribbean. SERC also provides an organizational structure for regional environmental initiatives and coordination of interdisciplinary environmental investigations in the region.
Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse
www.sprawlwatch.org/
Sprawl Watch's mission is to make the tools, techniques, and strategies developed to manage growth, accessible to citizens, grassroots organizations, environmentalists, public officials, planners, architects, the media and business leaders. At the Clearinghouse we identify, collect, compile, and disseminate information on the best land use practices, for those listed above.
Urban Land Institute
ww.uli.org
ULI—the Urban Land Institute is a community of practice for those engaged in the entrepreneurial and collaborative process of real estate development and land use policy-making.
American Planning Association
APA is a nonprofit public interest and research organization committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, advance the art and science of planning to meet the needs of people and society.
Planetizen- The Planning and Development Network
Planetizen is a public-interest information exchange provided by Urban Insight for the urban planning, design, and development community. It is a one-stop source for urban planning news, commentary, interviews, event coverage, book reviews, announcements, jobs, consultant listings, training, and more.
Center For Urban and Environmental solutions
CUES's mission is to work with policy-makers and the public in their pursuit of options for managing growth while preserving natural systems, promoting a strong economy and planning livable communities. Local governments, state agencies, civic and business groups, academics, and professionals are part of the broad constituency that supports, motivates, and benefits from our activities.
Transportation:
National Center for Bicycling and Walking
www.bikewalk.org
The NCBW offers information support, training, consultation services and resources to public agencies, non-governmental organizations and advocates, maintains the NCBW Resource Center, publishes the eNewsletter CenterLines, and a quarterly journal, NCBW Forum, and organizes the biennial Pro Bike/Pro Walk Conference and other special meetings.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
www.walkinginfo.org
The PBIC is a clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement and access and mobility.
Walkable Communities,Inc.
www.walkable.org
Walkable Communities was organized for the express purposes of helping whole communities, whether they are large cities or small towns, or parts of communities to become more walkable and pedestrian friendly.
Transportation Research Board
http://www.trb.org
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is a unit of the National Research Council, that’s mission is to promote innovation and progress in transportation by stimulating and conducting research, facilitating the dissemination of information, and encouraging the implementation of research results.
Environmental /Land use/ Planning:
One Community One Goal: Creating Jobs for the 21st Century, Helping to build Florida’s Internet Coast
http://www.onecommunityonegoal.org
One Community One Goal mission, is to develop a long-range community plan enabling economic growth and enhanced employment opportunities.
Florida Trust for Public Land
www.tpl.org/tier2_rl.cfm?folder_id=250
The Trust for Public Land is the only national nonprofit working exclusively to protect land for human enjoyment and well-being.
Florida Earth Foundation
www.floridaearth.org/
Florida Earth Foundation is a public-private partnership composed of over 70 partners who come from Federal, State and local government, universities and colleges, industry and other not-for-profits. FEF has been chartered to initiate, fund and develop education, outreach and research programs and projects associated with natural resources in South Florida, especially those that have to do with ecosystem restoration initiatives.
Northern Palm Beaches Chamber of Commerce
www.npbchamber.com/index4.shtml
The Northern Palm Beaches Chamber of Commerce has a continuing mission to be a dynamic Chamber that serves as a vital business and community resource center for northern Palm Beach County. They focus on the development and retention of businesses, taking an active role in business issues, providing meaningful member services and improving the quality of life for all residents in the community.
The Everglades Plan
www.evergladesplan.org/
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is a framework and guide to restore, protect, and preserve the water resources of central and southern Florida.
The Nature Conservancy of Florida
www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/
Our Mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
Palm Beach County Cultural Council
www.pbccc.org/
The Palm Beach County Cultural Council coordinates and promotes the arts and cultural activities throughout Palm Beach County.
Florida Redevelopment Association
www.redevelopment.net
Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) brings together professionals from around the state who are involved in preserving and improving Florida's communities. Founded in 1974 to promote redevelopment and growth of downtowns. The focus was later broadened to encompass Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) and the Main Street Program cities. Today, FRA also includes non-profit organizations, consultants, private developers and cities that do not have Downtown Development Authorities, CRAs or Main Street programs. Our goal is a comprehensive association of all players in Florida's urban revitalization network.
Audubon of Florida
www.audubonofflorida.org/
The mission of Audubon of Florida and National Audubon is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.
1000 Friends of Florida
www.1000fof.org/
1000 Friends of Florida's mission is to protect and improve Florida's quality of life by advocating responsible planning for the state's population growth
Florida Planning Organization
The American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are organized to advance the art and science of planning and to foster the activity of planning -- physical, economic, and social -- at the local, regional, state, and national levels. The objective of the Association is to encourage planning that will contribute to public well-being by developing communities and environments that meet the needs of people and of society more effectively.
Council for Education Policy Research and Improvement
A major responsibility of the Council is to prepare and update a master plan for education every five years. The enabling of legislation provides that the plan “ shall include consideration of the promotion of quality, fundamental education goals, programmatic access, needs for remedial education, regional and state economic development, international education programs, demographic patterns, student demand for programs, deeds of particular subgroups of the population, implementation of innovative educational techniques and technology, and the requirements of the labor market. The capacity of existing programs, in both public and independent institutions, to respond to identified needs shall be evaluated and the Council shall recommend efficient alternatives to address unmet needs.”
Florida Community Development and Housing
www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/
The Department of Community Affairs is the state's land planning and community development agency. Its role is to assist Florida's communities as they meet the needs of Florida's ever-expanding population. The Department ensures that new growth complies with the state's vital growth management laws, while also helping established communities revitalize their older or traditional neighborhoods.
The Florida League of Cities
The Florida League of Cities was created in 1922 by city officials who wished to unite the municipal governments in the state. From a modest beginning of just a few cities and towns, the Florida League of Cities has become one of the largest state municipal leagues in the nation.
South Florida Regional Planning counci
It is the vision of the Institute to build partnerships with institutions, private practitioners and organizations in fulfilling its purpose of bringing collaborative processes and consensus decision making to the communities of South Florida on the myriad issues they face in this diverse region.
Government:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
www.dep.state.fl.us/
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection administers regulatory programs and issues permits for air, water and waste management.
Florida Department of Community Affairs
The Department of Community Affairs is the state's land planning and community development agency. Its role is to assist Florida's communities as they meet the needs of Florida's ever-expanding population. The Department ensures that new growth complies with the state's vital growth management laws, while also helping established communities revitalize their older or traditional neighborhoods.
Transportation:
Tri-Rail
www.tri-rail.com/
South Florida's commuter rail with convienant train service from Fort Lauderdale to Miami to Palm Beach.
History:
Housing/Homeless:
Florida Coalition for the Homeless
http://www.flacoalitionhomeless.com/
The Florida Coalition for the Homeless is a dynamic organization whose membership and Board of Directors include homeless advocates, service providers, members of the faith-based community, formerly homeless persons, educators, attorneys, mental health professionals and many others statewide who are committed to putting an end to homelessness and improving the conditions of persons living without shelter.
Economy:
Enterprise Florida
www.eflorida.com/
The InfoCenter is where you will find a wealth of information about Florida's economy, including; statewide demographics and other economic indicators, profiles of our seven regions and 67 counties, international trade and investment activities, and comparisons of Florida with the other U.S. states
Environmental/ Land use/ Planning:
Ocean Watch Foundation
www.oceanwatch.org/
Ocean Watch Foundation's mission is to preserve and protect the local coral reef ecosystems in Southeast Florida through education, marine conservation programs and ocean cleanups.
Calusa Land Trust
The purpose of the Calusa Land Trust is to protect the natural diversity and beauty of the Pine Island region by acquiring, managing and preserving in perpetuity environmentally sensitive or historically important land and to foster appreciation for and understanding of the environment and our past.
Everglades Village
www.evergladesvillage.net/
The Everglades Village is the home for virtual South Florida for all the individuals and non-governmental and governmental organizations that are working to sustain the environments and the communities in southern Florida.
Lemon Bay Conservancy
The Lemon Bay Conservancy, Inc., is located in Englewood, Florida. Established over 30 years ago, it is a nonprofit organization for the preservation, protection, and acquisition of natural areas important in maintaining the ecological balance of Lemon Bay and adjacent waters.The Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve lies in both Charlotte and Sarasota Counties in southwest Florida.
Tropical Audubon
Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) is a group of dedicated citizens who care about the quality of South Florida's environment.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Our mission is to save tropical plant diversity by exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants; fundamental to this task is inspiring a greater knowledge and love for plants and gardening so that all can enjoy the beauty and bounty of the tropical world.
Citizens for a better south Florida
Our mission is to improve our quality of life through instilling environmental awareness within South Florida’s diverse multi-lingual communities.
Human Services Coalition
Founded in 1995, HSC is a nonprofit organization based in Miami, Fla., that monitors health and human service needs, provides reliable information to the public and catalyzes public planning and response. In its first decade, HSC achieved a leadership role in South Florida by serving as a clearinghouse for community collaboration and mobilization around anti-poverty strategies and programs. Moving into its second decade, HSC will focus on building the capacity of individuals, organizations and communities throughout Florida to embrace and adopt effective prosperity strategies and programs.
Parks & Historic Sites:
Cultural, Historical, and Information Programs
www.flheritage.com/archaeology/projects/miamicircle/
Everglades Digital Library
http://everglades.fiu.edu/library/index.html
The mission of the Everglades Information Network (EIN) is to provide worldwide, timely, and effective access to the universe of Everglades information, with the goal of supporting and facilitating research education, restoration and resource management.
Government/Elections:
Official website for Miami city beach
Miami/Dade Historic Preservation
The Office of Historic Preservation helps identify, protect, enhance, and perpetuate properties of historical, architectural, archaeological, paleontological, cultural, and aesthetic merit in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade Office of Elections
http://elections.metro-dade.com/
The Miami-Dade Elections Department conducts elections, registers voters, and maintains voter records for Miami-Dade County and all of its municipalities.
Miami-Dade County Division of Environmental Resources Management
www.miamidade.gov/derm/
DERM's mission is to restore, enhance, conserve, and manage the air, water and land resources of Miami-Dade County for the health, safety and enjoyment of South Florida residents and visitors.
Housing/ Homeless:
Business/ Employment:
Miami visitor's site
www.miami.com/category/travel_and_visitors/
Herald.com, the home of The Miami Herald online, offers the best in local news and information
Volunteer:
Miami Workers Center
http://www.miamiworkerscenter.org/
The Miami Workers Center is based in the Liberty City area of Miami, Fl. We were founded as a volunteer organization in 1999 by former union organizers Gihan Perera and Tony Romano. The Center helps working class people build grassroots organizations and develop their leadership capacity through aggressive community organizing campaigns and education programs. The Center also actively builds coalitions and enters alliances to amplify progressive power and win racial, community, social, and economic justice.
Hands on Miami
Last year, Hands On Miami volunteers worked over 53,000 hours to make our community a better place to live and work.
They fed the homeless, were companions to the elderly, built low-income housing, restored the natural environment, tutored at-risk children, read to children in shelters, and even cared for homeless pets!
Education/Public Information:
UEL Websites of Interest
Bill Moyers on Earth Conservation Corps:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07062007/profile2.html
Bill Moyers talks to E.O. Wilson on the future of the planet:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07062007/profile.html
Economic Development Research Institute —
EDRI
www.edri.info
The Economic Development Research Institute — EDRI — is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public policy research organization focused on economic development issues affecting the South Florida region
Miami-Dade Public Library System
www.mdpls.com/
Storytimes, book discussion groups for all ages, cultural programs reflecting our diverse community, computer classes, tutoring for students, citizenship classes, small business workshops -- there is something for everyone. You'll learn about our special and outreach services, which impact many of our lives.
Transportation:
Miami Dade Transit Agency
www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/transit/
Miami-Dade Transit serves the residents and visitors of Miami-Dade County and its 32 municipalities.
Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization
www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/mpo/
Our mission is to plan for the provision of integrated and efficient transportation facilities and services in Miami-Dade County, while insuring the highest possible level of community participation in the transportation planning process
U.S. Government Agencies: National Parks Service: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Federal Emergency Management Agency: National Wetlands Inventory: National Resources Conservation Service: U.S. Census Bureau: U.S. Department of Agriculture: www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: U.S. Forest Service: U.S. Geological Survey: Center for Coastal and Wildlife Studies: U.S. Geological Survey: Water Resources of Florida: State of Florida Resources: Online Sunshine- Florida Legislature Website: www.leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm Florida Dept. of Health and Human Services: State of Florida-Statewide Records Search: www.myfloridacounty.com/services/officialrecords_intro.shtml Florida Electronic Library: DEP Geographic Information System: County Information: Miami-Dade County Portal: http://miamidade.gov/wps/portal Miami Dade County Library System: http://www.mdpls.org/ask/ask.asp Miami Dade County Transit: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/transit/ Miami Dade County Schools: http://www2.dadeschools.net/index.htm Florida’s History through its Places: Dade County: http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/places/Counties/Dade.cfm Miami Dade County Maps: http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/county/dade/dade.htm Historical Resources: Florida Memory Project: Miami Metropolitan Guide: http://miami.fiu.edu/index.htm Florida Photographic Collection: http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/ Florida Heritage Collection: Florida Department of State Historic Resources: Florida Smart: http://www.floridasmart.com/commculture/history.htm Florida History: http://www.floridahistory.org/ Florida History Timeline: http://florida.com/history1.htm Florida Environmental Databases: http://palmm.fcla.edu/lfnh/related/fbic/FBICdatabases.html Photos from the Romer Collection: http://www.mdpls.org/databases/Romer_Site/about_romer.asp Photos from the Library of Congress: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html Wildlife Management: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Fish and Wildlife Research Institute: http://www.floridamarine.org/features/category_main.asp?id=1153 Everglades Digital Library: Florida Environments Online: Army Corps of Engineers: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/ Fla. Natural Areas Inventory: Florida’s Conservation Lands Map: http://data.labins.org/imf2/FREAC/FNAI.jsp? Summary of Florida’s Conservation Lands: http://www.fnai.org/PDF/maacres_200603_fcl.pdf Guide to the Natural Communities of Florida: http://www.fnai.org/PDF/Natural_Communities_Guide.pdf Water Management: South Fla. Water Management district: http://www.sfwmd.gov/site/index.php?id=1 Sanjeev Chatterjee Water Project: Center for Modern Media: http://com.miami.edu/collaborative/ Modern Media Initiatives for a sustainable Future: http://com.miami.edu/collaborative/articles/evergladesplan.htm South Dade Watershed Study: http://www.southmiamidadewatershed.com/ South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force: 1,000 Friends: Water and Ocean Resources: http://www.1000fof.org/Ocean_Resources/ Environmental Database: http://www.sfwmd.gov/site/index.php?id=38 GIS/MAPS: http://www.sfwmd.gov/site/index.php?id=40 Water Quality Monitoring Websites: http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/ema/envmon/wqm/index.html Planning and Growth Management: Florida Department of Community Affairs: Growth Management Study Commission: http://www.floridagrowth.org/ Materials from the James Madison Institute: http://jamesmadison.org/article.php/384.html Audubon on growth management; http://www.audubonofflorida.org/action/2004actionagenda/growth.htm Public ParksEverglades National Park: History of the Park: http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/ev/history/index.html Everglades National Park Water Quality Managing Service: http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/ema/envmon/wqm/enp/enpmainindex.html Map of the Everglades (U Texas): http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/national_parks/ Info on the Everglades from the SFWMD: http://www.sfwmd.gov/site/index.php?id=17 Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan: http://www.evergladesplan.org/ Ask an Everglades Librarian: Everglades Information Network: Birth of the Park: http://www.historical-museum.org/history/tacit/tacit.htm Photographs of Everglades National Park: http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/adventures/ Biscayne National Park: http://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm http://www.biscayne.nationalpark.com/ http://www.terragalleria.com/parks/np.biscayne.html Hurricane Andrew: Hurricane Interviews: http://digital.library.miami.edu/andrew/ Hurricane Photos: http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/photo_exhibits/ After the Hurricane: http://www.ndu.edu/library/ic6/93CS09.pdf Museums: Florida Museum of Natural History: Historical Museum of Southern Florida: http://www.historical-museum.org/ City of Homestead: City Website: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/index.aspx City Council: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-city-hall/city-council.aspx City Departments: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-city-hall/departments.aspx Current Agendas: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-city-hall/agendas.aspx Demographic Statistics: http://www.factmonster.com/us/census/data/florida/homestead/demographic.html Economic Statistics: http://www.factmonster.com/us/census/data/florida/homestead/economic.html Housing Statistics: http://www.factmonster.com/us/census/data/florida/homestead/housing.html Social Statistics: http://www.factmonster.com/us/census/data/florida/homestead/social.html Listing of Homestead Historic Properties: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/pdf/HistoricSites.pdf\ Fact Sheet link from the US Census Bureau: City of Homestead historic Preservation: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-community/historic-pb.aspx Chamber of Commerce: http://www.chamberinaction.com/ Baptist Hospital of Homestead: http://www.baptisthealth.net/bhs/en/frontdoor/0,2196,3150,00.html Employment Opportunities: http://ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-city-hall/employment.aspx Economic Opportunities: http://ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-business/economic.aspx Tourism: Homestead Tourism: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-community/tourism.aspx Growth Management: Comprehensive Plan: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/pdf/comp-plan.pdf Future Land Use Map: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/pdf/flum.pdf Municipal Code: http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=11541&sid=9 City Charter: http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=11541&sid=9 Budget and Financial Reports 2006: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-city-hall/budget-2006.aspx Southwest Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-community/sw-master-plan.aspx Community Links/Social Life: ArtSouth: http://www.artsouthhomestead.org/ Homestead Main Street: http://www.homesteadmainstreet.org/ Homestead Miami Speedway: http://www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com/ Homestead YMCA: Kiwanis Club of Homestead: http://www.homesteadkiwanis.org/ Seminole Theatre: http://www.seminoletheatre.com/ Vision Council: Miami Dade College Homestead Campus: Robert is Here Fruit Stand: Main Street Café: http://www.mainstreetcafe.net/ Coral Castle: http://www.labyrinthina.com/coral.htm Fruity Tropical History Tour Down South: Leisure Times: Parks and Recreation newsletter: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-recreation/parks-rec-newsletter.aspx Arts and Entertainment Designated Districts: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/pdf/AE-District.pdf Biscayne Everglades Greenway: http://www.ci.homestead.fl.us/portal-recreation/biscayne-everglades.aspx Homestead Bayfront Park: http://www.co.miamidade.fl.us/parks/parks/homestead_beach.asp Community Newspaper for Homestead, Florida City, and its surrounding areas: http://www.communitynewspapers.com/2006/homestead/ Maps of Homestead: George A. Smathers Libraries: Maps and Imagery collection: http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/maps/MAPFLORIDA.HTML State of Florida Interactive Maps: http://www.funandsun.com/1tocf/maps/flmap.html Roadside America Maps: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map.html DEP County Geological Maps: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/gisdatamaps/county_maps.htm Miami Dade County Maps: http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/county/dade/dade.htm Historic and detailed maps of Florida from 1500-present: http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/maps.htm Topographic map of Homestead from Topozone: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=25.47119&lon=-80.468122&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100&datum=nad83 Satellite Image from Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=25.47119,-80.468122&spn=0.11,0.18&t=h Florida City: City Website: Everglades Alligator Farm: Map of Florida City: http://www.floridacityfl.us/maps.htm History of Florida City: