Florida Libraries

Consolidating the Record A Subject Guide of Collections, Resources and References on Environmentalism in South Florida and Beyond ... By: Susan Stover Erin Mahaney Gail Donovan With assistance from Daniel Newsome Marissa Brady Kay K. Hale Draft Final Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report No. 1722 The information in this publication represents only a small sample of all the archival and special environment-related collections available online or at south Florida (and beyond) libraries, museums and organizations. Researchers, students and the general public should note the names of institutions possessing the original materials and contact these organizations directly for information on reproductions, copyright, research assistance, and reading room hours. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. Dr. Seuss (1904 - 1991), The Lorax Gail Donovan, Librarian, New College of Florida, Jane Bancroft Cook Library (As of February 2014, Mote’s Archivist) Mote Marine Laboratory, Arthur Vining Davis Library & Archives Susan Stover, Library & Archives Director and Erin Mahaney, Archivist Daniel Newsome and Marissa Brady, Mote Library interns Kay Hale, Mote Library volunteer We are grateful to our many library and archives colleagues throughout Florida for sharing their information and ideas. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Trends in Environmentalism 10 a) Naturalists/Early Conservationists b) Conservationists/Preservationists c) Environmentalists Key Events in Florida’s Environmental History 14 e.g. The Swamp and Overflowed Lands Act of 1850 Great Giveaway-Reclamation Act Archival and Special Collections ….mainly print 18 Digital Collections (non-government) 73 Government Agencies (local, state, federal) 77 Plants and Herbariums 92 Facilities and Organizations 100 … whose mission is to preserve and protect Florida’s environment References and Suggested Readings 108 2 Introduction to Consolidating the Record: A Brief History of Environmentalism in Florida Susan M. Stover Library and Archives Director Mote Marine Laboratory Sarasota, Florida, USA [email protected] Gail Donovan Archivist Library and Archives Mote Marine Laboratory Sarasota, Florida, USA [email protected] Abstract This paper describes the activities leading to the development of a subject specific collection guide that will be utilized by students, researchers, and the public. The information in the Guide is the foundation of a collaborative project to create an annotated list of environment-related collections, materials and organizations in Florida with specific attention to the southern part of the state. Keywords: Florida, libraries, archives, collections, environment, nature Background Over the last five to six years libraries have been reviewing the significance of their resources and collections, and ardently examining ways to reinvent themselves. In 2008 the director of the Mote Marine Laboratory Library initiated actions to add value to Mote’s one-person Library. First, the term “Archives” was added to the name of the Library. Next grant proposals were written and received for basic processing of the archival and special collections that were housed in long-term storage. These collections contained ninety years of environment-related, primary source data associated with Southwest Florida and beyond. A component of the grants involved the digitization of various items from the collections and addition of the e-documents to Mote’s institutional repository (IR). The final phase entailed promotion of the collections. Brochures were developed and distributed, and presentations were given at local organizations and professional conferences. Following the promotional activities there was interest in and requests for materials from the collections. However, to validate the rationale for maintaining the archives a broader patron-base was needed to increase usage. 3 The need to promote the collections along with two other incentives prompted the compilation of a subject guide of environment-related collections. Students, interns and novice researchers may not always know where to begin a literature search for valid environmental information, and they may not be knowledgeable about the reliability of the sources they find. This has been noted by numerous librarians as students, the public and other patrons venture into the library seeking materials to meet their information needs. A second motivator was the following statement in the 2013 report titled Field Stations and Marine Laboratories of the Future: A Strategic Vision, “The more than 500 FSMLs around the world, and the long-term records they maintain, make it possible to study environmental processes at multiple spatial and temporal scales”. This statement enforces the fact that the materials held in libraries, archives and digital repositories are vital to the present and future global environmental challenges. And, preservation of and access to the scholarly environmental record is critical. The valuable content these collections contain can provide a basis for people to manage ecological resources and maintain a sustainable environment. (This report was developed by the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) and the National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML) to help field stations and marine laboratories anticipate and prepare for the future needs of science and society.) The overall objectives were to compile a guide of environmental collections and materials in Florida, with attention to the southern part of the state; have it available open access online for students, researchers and the public; and, enhance usage of archival collections. It was at this phase that colleagues, interns and volunteers were enlisted to help compile the publication. The Guide The information in the Guide reviews the history and records of environmental activity in Florida, mainly in the twentieth century. It lists the variety and types of materials and collections related to Florida’s environmental history, where they are housed, and their accessibility. Records depicting the history of the environment include natural history collections, herbaria, technical reports, data sets, field notes and more. Goals of the Project a) Consolidate the Florida environmental record. b) Help uncover hidden collections. c) Solicit input from archives and libraries throughout the state. d) Promote to target audience of students, scientists, historians, and more. e) Produce an online Guide to help facilitate environmental research thereby . f) Saving the planet! (or at least Florida). In early 2013 the project was presented at two meetings to solicit input and information from colleagues about their collections. First at the Florida university systems annual meeting, Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC), held in Sarasota in April 2013, then at the 4 Society of Florida Archivists (SFA) meeting the following month in Tallahassee. The audiences embraced the project and were willing to provide information about their collections to be included in the Guide. During this time individuals and various organizations that might have hidden or unprocessed collections were also contacted. Onsite visits were made to many of these libraries and archives to gather pertinent information about their materials. The Content The starting point was the development of an Index to steer the project. The Guide was divided into seven sections. The first two parts present the novice researcher with an overview of 1) trends in environmentalism discussing how the ideas of the naturalists, conservationists, and environmentalists differ; and 2) key events in Florida’s environmental history including the Swamp and Overflowed Land Act of 1850 that pushed for the draining of the Everglades to turn it into viable farmland, the proposed Cross Florida Barge Canal that would cut a waterway path through the state to reduce shipping times, and the dredge-fill projects that threatened coastal ecosystems. The remaining sections cover the various types of collections: archival and special collections (mainly print); non-government digital collections; local, state and federal government agencies; plants and herbariums; facilities and organizations whose mission is to preserve and protect Florida’s environment; and references and suggested readings. Entities highlighted consist of a sampling of academic institutions, government agencies, independent and nonprofit research institutions, as well as individual activists and environmental organizations. Notable collections such as the Reclaiming the Everglades Project in the Everglades Digital Library, lesser known archival collections such as the New College of Florida’s Environmental Studies Program, and the papers of the Archbold Biological Station in Venus, FL (formerly John Roebling's Red Hill Estate) are included. Information relating to the papers and materials from 1) individuals such as Archie Fairly and Marjorie Harris Carr; 2) organizations such as the Florida Defenders of the Environment and Friends of the Everglades, and local chapters of the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society; 3) collections at universities and colleges such as Rollins College Special Collections, University of Miami’s Biscayne Bay materials, and the numerous University of Florida, Smathers Library, Special and Area Studies Collections; and 4) government organizations including federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Florida state agencies including the State Archives and the Florida Fish

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