EEL Staff/Volunteers
Does the EEL Program have professional staff?
Success in reaching the goals of the EEL Program requires not only concerned and involved citizens, but also professional staff who are trained in land management, public relations and environmental
education. In addition, staff members develop and apply management plans to EEL Sanctuaries, and apply for grants to aid in conservation efforts.
The EEL Program staff can be reached by the contact information listed below:
Environmentally Endangered Lands Program
91 East Drive
Melbourne, FL 32904
Phone: 321-255-4466
Fax: 321-255-4499
Email: eel@brevardparks.com
Regarding Email Sent to Brevard county employees:
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
- Program Manager— Mike Knight
- Prescribed Fire Coordinator
- Land Acquisition Coordinator— Jenny Warner
- Volunteer Program/Public Use Coordinator — Brad Manley
- North Region Land Manager— Damien Keene
- Central Region Land Manager — David DeMeyer
- South Region Land Manager — Steve McGuffey
- South Beaches Land Manager — Raymond Mojica
Coastal Systems
How is the EEL Program involved in public education?
The EEL Program's goal is to create an inspiring environmental education program. This will be done through partnerships with the school system, local organizations, and citizen volunteers. Trailhead
kiosks (information panels), illustrative trail signs, guided tours, and four regional Management & Education Centers are being created to help meet this goal. The EEL Program's environmental
education goals are outlined in its Environmental Education Manual. (To obtain a copy, make your request by calling 321-255-4466 or EMAIL)
The four planned Management & Education Centers, one in each EEL region, will serve as hubs for environmental education, land management, and public access activities. Each Center will provide volunteer programs and will have features planned for universal access.
Enchanted Forest Sanctuary — North Region
Located in Titusville on State Road 405 just west of U.S. Highway 1, this 393-acre site is the flagship sanctuary of the EEL Program and was purchased because of its unique geology and high biological
diversity. The sanctuary is one of the few places in Brevard where visitors can experience majestic oak hammocks, swamps, and the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in one short hike. The Management and Education Center for the EEL North Region is located at the Enchanted Forest.
Pine Island Conservation Area — Central Region
Located in North Merritt Island on the eastern shore of the Indian River Lagoon, this 879-acre site was acquired in partnership with the SJRWMD to preserve its diverse habitat--pine flatwoods,
cabbage palm hammocks, hardwood hammocks, mangrove forests, and salt marshes--as a refuge for West Indian manatee, bottlenose dolphin, alligator, woodstork, osprey, gopher tortoise, bobcat, eastern indigo snake. With restoration of the Historic Sams
House, Pine Island Conservation Area will host the Central Region's Management & Education Center.
Malabar Scrub Sanctuary — South Region
Located on Malabar Road next to the Town of Malabar's Community Park & Fire Station, the 395-acre Malabar Scrub Sanctuary is a refuge for the Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, and eastern indigo snake. The habitat variety on this site makes it an
ideal place for visitors to experience the interconnection of the wetland and upland communities and associated species. Development of the Management & Education Center is currently on hold due to budgetary limitations.
Barrier Island Ecosystem Center — South Beaches Region
Located about 3-miles north of the Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, this 28-acre site is in the heart of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. The property was donated to Brevard County by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and includes the
old Chuck's Steakhouse Restaurant. This building was renovated into the Barrier Island Management & Education Center. The properties preserved throughout the south beaches are excellent examples of barrier island habitats, such as coastal dunes,
maritime hammocks and mangrove swamps that provide ideal educational and recreational opportunities. The Barrier Island Ecosystem Center Grand Opening is May 10, 2008.
How can I get involved?
Volunteers are an important part of the EEL Program. The EEL Volunteer Program offers Brevard County citizens the opportunity to become involved
in local land conservation efforts. Volunteers help the program build partnerships with organizations and businesses. They also expand the EEL Program's ability to manage the EEL Sanctuary Network.
EEL volunteers help Brevard's natural resources by contributing their valuable time and skills. There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities that include removing invasive exotic plants, leading
nature hikes, posting sanctuary boundaries, building boardwalks and trail signs, studying habitat recovery, and developing educational materials. Volunteers' time and skills have a positive impact on today's citizens and future generations.
Email the EEL Staff for information on volunteer opportunities.