CEMEX
Gator Sand Mine
ORLANDO, Florida, United States
Certified through 2024
Project Name
Project Type
Gator Outdoor Environmental Education Center
Awareness & Community Engagement
Virtual Field Trips to Gator Sand Mine Habitat
Formal Learning
About the Program
CEMEX constructed 0.22 acres of mitigation wetlands at its Gator Sand Mine facility in Polk County, Florida, in 2009 adjacent to an existing wetland system. The area consists of three planting zones originally seeded with 11 plant species selected specifically for the respective soil and moisture conditions. The project is managed in accordance with permit requirements and the Florida State Wildlife Plan with the goal of achieving at least 85% vegetative cover by "desirable species," (those that are identified as obligate or facultative wet plant species), no more than 10% cover by invasives and a canopy density of at least 400 trees per acre. The team conducts monitoring twice per year to measure progress towards these goals, which were all achieved as of the end of the spring 2022 season.
Practices and Impacts
CEMEX constructed 0.22 acres of mitigation wetlands at its Gator Sand Mine facility in Polk County, Florida, in 2009 adjacent to an existing wetland system. The area consists of three planting zones originally seeded with 11 plant species selected specifically for the respective soil and moisture conditions. The project is managed in accordance with permit requirements and the Florida State Wildlife Plan with the goal of achieving at least 85% vegetative cover by "desirable species," (those that are identified as obligate or facultative wet plant species), no more than 10% cover by invasives and a canopy density of at least 400 trees per acre. The team conducts monitoring twice per year to measure progress towards these goals, which were all achieved as of the end of the spring 2022 season.
Practices and Impacts
- CEMEX collaborates with local educators, administrators and environmental experts to provide STEM learning opportunities based in the site's upland and wetland habitats. In 2022, the team welcomed 200 5th graders from communities near the Gator Sand Mine to participate in hands-on science activities at its nature trail.
- The team offers formal learning opportunities using curriculum from Project Learning Tree, an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
