Established by Miami-Dade County voters in 1990, the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program was created to acquire, preserve, restore, and maintain environmentally sensitive lands for future generations.
Through strategic land acquisition and interagency cooperation, the program protects critical habitats and preserves natural systems connected to areas such as Everglades National Park. The program also plays a vital role in safeguarding Miami-Dade County’s tree canopy and native forest communities, which improve air quality, provide wildlife habitat, and contribute to residents’ physical and emotional well-being.
Today, EEL staff and land managers oversee approximately 29,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land across more than 90 preserves in Miami-Dade County, with an additional 35,000 acres identified for future acquisition and protection.