FIU South Florida Ecosystem Preserve Timeline
6500 bp	Drop in sealevel allows the estabishment of the modern Everglades short-hydroperiod marshes of University Park campus formed at this time. Tree island in area of the Preserve established some time after this.
ca. 1920	Drainage first due to the excavation of the Tamiami Canal began the drop in water level to prevent seasonal flooding at the University Park Campus. Short-hydroperiod marsh becomes terrestrial.
ca. 1940	Establishment of Tamiami Airport, construction of runways and taxiways adjacent to vegetation of present Preserve area.
1966	Tamiami Airport closed and northern half of land area provided as campus of Florida Internatioinal University
1978	Establishment of Environmental Preserve at Florida International University, including provision of water for organic garden on the western perimeter; Preserve committee served 2 years
1984	Construction of chickee in Preserve, including provision of water for drinking fountain and sprinkler system for roof
1989	Establishment of Preserve Nature Trail, dedicated by President Maidique
1989	Establishment of Environmental Committee (then Landscape Committee)
1991	Preserve Master Plan
1995	Demise of Preserve/Landscape Committee
1997	Chickee burnt down by vandals
1999	Re-dedication as South Florida Ecosystem Preserve
2002	Formation of Preserve Committee by Faculty Senate
2003	25th Anniversary and Preserve Charrette