The Issue: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, located in Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, has been issued an eviction notice by Miami-Dade County, requiring the nonprofit to vacate its facility by November 23, 2025. At the same time, the County’s proposed FY25–26 budget includes a $1 million revenue line item for the “Crandon Nature Center”. This budget proposal signals an intent to remove the nonprofit from its long-time home and replace it with a County-run operation focused on revenue generation.

The building was constructed in 1985 through private donations raised in honor of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, whose legacy is rooted in environmental stewardship, education, and conservation. For nearly 40 years, the Nature Center has provided hands-on marine science education to tens of thousands of Miami-Dade students, families, and visitors, helping to build the public understanding and stewardship ethic essential to protecting Biscayne Bay, the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves and the Biscayne National Park.

For decades, the Center has operated in alignment with the Crandon Park Master Plan, which limits this site to non-commercial, educational uses. The County has not demonstrated the ability to generate significant revenue from this site in the past, and attempting to rapidly scale to $1 million risks violating the Master Plan and undermining the Center’s educational mission

Take Action! Use this tool to email Commissioners and the Mayor urging them to reject the $1 million line item in the FY25–26 budget, and rescind the eviction notice issued to the Center.

Then, join us at the Miami-Dade County Commission to deliver public comment in support of the Center and budget revision.

When: Thursday, September 18 at 5 PM.

Where: Stephen P Clark Government Center (County Commission Chambers - 111 NW 1st St Miami FL 33132)