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Ih fact, all of the above programs have been presented to the public free of charge. Our record of providing high quality environmental education to the citizens of Indian River County is cleat. For the future, we wish to expand these programs and services. To accomplish this goal, we require a permanent Nature Center and Society Headquarters. Today, I propose that the Indian River County Commission and Pelican Island Audubon Society address the feasibility of that Nature Center and Society Headquarters being located on Wabasso Island. This island possesses approximately 18 acres of uplands consisting of Australian pine forest on dredge spoil, and about 37 acres of.mangrove wetlands which are unsuitable for upland development. The shallow flats.along the sothern and western sides of the island consist of mudflats, barren sandy shallows with scattered oysters, and marineograssflats. The area is, in my opinion, an ideal site for our Nature Center for the following reasons; 1) it is readily'accessible to the public, 2) it is centrally located with respect to the County's future population, 3) it is large enough to permit development of extensive environmental education facilities, 4) the physical setting is ideal for _ nature appreciation and outdoor ecology studies. The facilities we may wish to develop over the long-term include: 1. Society headquarters and office space 2. Natural history museum 3. Library of wildlife, ecology, and Audubon materials 4. Lecture center and indoor classroom 5. Outdoor classroom 6. Field ecology station at edge of mangroves and grassflat. 7. Elevated boardwalk through mangrove swamp 8. Canoe trails through existing mosquito coiitt.ol ,ditches 9. Development of tropical hammock--vegetation.on existing uplands. Capital improvements would be financed by'Pelican Island Audubon Society, though certain facilities could be jointly or County funded, such as picnic areas, public parking for other recreational uses, etc, We anticipate, of course, that our facilities would be available to the public free of charge. I am speaking today on behalf of the Society Board of Directors, and all a49reements and terms would require approval of the Board. We are hereto ask the Commissiont conceptual approval to proceed with feasibility appraisals and negotiations with Pelican Island Audubon Society. There would be many areas of mutual concern which must be addressed, including the terms of lease, limitations of types of facilities, transfer of capital improvement ownership in event of dissolution of the Society, maintenance and operation guarantees, and provisions for a caretaker or building security. Thank you for your consideration of our proposal, Ra d T. Fernald, President Pelican Island Audubon Society BOOK 49 TME373 APR 14 1982 19