Subject:
Title
Approval; RE: Renaming of the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Barrier Island Sanctuary - District 3.
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Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact to General Revenue funds. All expenses will be funded under the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program Budget. The current sanctuary sign will need to be revised but the sign was scheduled for replacement in FY 2024/2025. EEL brochures will be updated with this change when the current supply runs out.
Dept/Office:
D3 Commission Office
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve renaming the Barrier Island Sanctuary to The Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The building on property - the Barrier Island Management and Education Center would keep the same name. The underlying sanctuary property would be renamed The Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary.
The County process for renaming a property requires initial review and support from the EEL program advisory board before it is submitted to the County Commission for final approval. The EEL Selection and Management Committee reviewed and recommended the renaming at their regular July 17, 2024 meeting.
Doc Ehrhart (1942 - 2022) was a University of Central Florida biology professor who worked in Brevard County for more than fifty years. In that time, Doc made pivotal contributions to the citizens of Brevard County in understanding the astounding coastal resources. Doc and his students began the first sea turtle nesting surveys on beaches of southern Brevard, scientifically documenting the prominent nesting there. This documentation was the basis for designating these beaches as the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Thanks to Doc, the refuge is now internationally recognized as one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world.
Hundreds of students who took Doc Ehrhart’s courses, received his advice, and experienced his expertise, now lead conservation research and management at many levels. In recent years, Doc refocused his interest and became more of a classic naturalist. Doc mirrored the roles of an old-time naturalist and helped establish our broad view of Brevard County’s natural systems, and their conservation.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return the Board Memorandum to the D3 Commission Office and the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program.