Field operations are based out of the Institute of Environment at Florida International University. Travel time to the field sites is less than an hour's drive from FIU's campus, so we do not have a field station. We conduct research in Everglades National Park and access sites by airboat, motorboat, helicopter and the road. Only personnel employed by Florida International University may operate SERC boats and vehicles. Our method of accessing a site depends on the location of the site, water levels, and the regulations described in our sampling permit.
All personnel conducting research at FCE sites must be included on the main FCE LTER Everglades National Park permit or another Everglades National Park permit. If your name is included on the main permit, you are responsible for following all of the regulations stated in the permit. If your contact information changes or someone in your research group needs to be added to the main FCE LTER permit, please ask them to download and complete an Emergency Contact Form and send it to Mike Rugge (ruggem@fiu.edu).
Please note that if your proposed research is not already included in the main FCE LTER permit OR if it's funded by a source other than the FCE LTER grant, you will need to apply for a separate permit. You can find information about how to apply for a permit and an online application at irma.nps.gov/RPRS.