Capital Campaign | TAS Programs

Preserving our past,

protecting our future ...

Tropical Audubon Society (TAS), Miami-Dade County’s leading environmental conservation organization, is undertaking a $1.2M Capital Campaign because our historic Doc Thomas House (DTH) headquarters and near-native 2.2-acre Steinberg Nature Center (SNC) campus require extensive repair, restoration and beautification.

Our Capital Campaign will fund a multi-phased project primarily focused on restoring and preserving the 1932 cottage that is considered the crown jewel of storied Sunset Drive. The distinguished firms of R. J. Heisenbottle Architects, Douglas Wood & Associates and Red Door Construction have been engaged to restore this charming, 1,551-SF structure.

The quaint cottage is an architectural treasure listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is a state-designated Florida Heritage Site and a Dade County historic site. Regrettably, the multiple effects of heat, humidity, hurricanes and daily use have taken a toll on it over the decades, so funding this top-to-bottom restoration is now crucial.

South Miami-area pharmacist Arden Hayes “Doc” Thomas engaged Architect Robert Fitch Smith to design the rustic-style house to harmonize with its γ natural Pine Rockland setting. Our ambitious restoration project will honor his original Florida wood-frame vernacular design and construction techniques, including the use of native materials such as cypress, pine, oak, mahogany and oolitic limestone.

Since being gifted to TAS by Thomas in 1975, thousands of Miamians drawn by history and/or nature have visited the iconic cottage, sited just east of South Miami and south of Coral Gables in “High Pines.”

As impressive as is its pedigree, the DTH is so much more than an historic structure. It has served as TAS headquarters, a hub for local environmental groups and a beacon of environmental advocacy in South Florida for nearly 50 years.

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OUR PROGRESS

The long overdue structural restoration of our historic 1932 Doc Thomas House headquarters is now underway, commencing from the ground up.

The multiple effects of time, heat, humidity, hurricanes and daily use take a natural toll on wood structures, so this top-to-bottom makeover is much needed. Scroll our gallery of photos!

Recent restoration work on the Historic Doc Thomas House showcases the original Florida wood-frame vernacular design.

Our near-native 2.2-acre Steinberg Nature Center (SNC) campus require extensive repair, restoration and beautification.

The quaint cottage is an architectural treasure listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Extensive wood rot on front porch necessitated a partial reconstruction.

The 1932 Doc Thomas House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The 1932 Doc Thomas House.

Repairs underway to concrete foundation piers and reinforcement of deteriorated structural wood.

Deteriorated structural wood.

Window screen damage.

Deteriorated structural wood.

Extensive wood rot requires partial reconstruction.

Installation of new Tidewater Red Cypress siding.

Extensive wood rot on front porch requires a partial reconstruction

New structural support posts, roof framing beams, and roof sheathing are needed to partially reconstruct the porch.

New Tidewater Red Cypress siding.

Repairs to Tidewater Red Cypress siding (boards and battens).

New Tidewater Red Cypress siding at the back of the house.

Recent restoration work on the Historic Doc Thomas House showcases the original Florida wood-frame vernacular design.

Our near-native 2.2-acre Steinberg Nature Center (SNC) campus require extensive repair, restoration and beautification.

The quaint cottage is an architectural treasure listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Extensive wood rot on front porch necessitated a partial reconstruction.

The 1932 Doc Thomas House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The 1932 Doc Thomas House.

Repairs underway to concrete foundation piers and reinforcement of deteriorated structural wood.

Deteriorated structural wood.

Window screen damage.

Deteriorated structural wood.

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CULTIVATING CONSERVATION

By supporting our Capital Campaign, you are also cultivating our Mission “To conserve and restore South Florida ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats.” Your vital support enables “South Florida’s Voice of Conservation” to remain strong as we advocate for the health of Biscayne Bay, count birds for science, champion Everglades Restoration and stand up for Pine Rockland and Tropical Hardwood Hammock habitats.

A LASTING LEGACY

By contributing, you are also prioritizing environmental advocacy for present and future generations. For example, the Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program cultivates an action network of environmental advocates who can be mobilized to promote strong conservation policies and unite around environmental policy champions. Therefore, your gift will resonate across South Florida — from Biscayne Bay to Florida Bay, from urban Miami to the Everglades.

ENHANCING OUR CAMPUS

By making a charitable gift, you are also enhancing our bustling SNC campus by supporting the implementation of a Master Plan that will expand its uses, restore and preserve our Pine Rockland and Tropical Hardwood Hammock habitats, beautify our pollinator gardens, fortify our iconic chickee, upgrade our fencing and outdoor facilities, expand educational opportunities and optimize our venue for income-generating public and private events.

A POWERFUL OPPORTUNITY

Tropical Audubon Society’s Capital Campaign provides a unique opportunity to simultaneously support historic preservation, ensure environmental advocacy and sustain a “green island” oasis in an urban setting. Its benefits to wildlife and our community will be realized in perpetuity. Finally, a restoration effort of this magnitude will burnish the storied Doc Thomas House legacy, and strengthen Tropical Audubon Society’s core mission.

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The PROJECT

PHASE 1

Structure & Foundation

Including

Repair & harden roof substructure
Replace roof to more closely match original
Reconstruct & restore front porch
Remove & replace deteriorated exterior board & batten siding and trim
Replace damaged floor framing beams
Repair concrete foundation piers

Completion Date: Summer 2021

Estimated Cost: $500,000

PHASE 2

Details & Finishing

Including

Restore or replace period windows, screens, doors, shutters, louvered vents, railings, awning
Upgrade plumbing & electrical
Restore, refinish, repaint kitchen; restore period countertop & built-ins
Restore, refinish bathroom
Spot repair & restain wood floors& paneling as needed throughout

Completion Date: Summer 2022

Estimated Cost: $350,000

PHASE 3

Grounds Hardscaping & Outbuildings

Including

Remove chain-link fence along Sunset Drive and sections of SW 55th and 56th avenues; replace it with a period-appropriate, low- profile oolitic limestone wall to echo the DTH foundation stonework
Implement SNC Master Plan to proliferate native habitat & optimize the property for birding, education & fundraising

Completion Date: Winter 2022/23

Estimated Cost: $350,000

ENDOWMENT

$100,000 of the fulfilled Campaign will be set aside to cover future DTH and SNC maintenance costs. In times of emergency, the endowment will also be used as a safety net.

OUR PROGRAMS

Young naturalists learn bird identification on Bird Day.

Monthly Bird-friendly Gardening Days attract a diverse flock of volunteers.

School field trips enable students to learn in nature's open classroom.

Hundreds of indigenous plants are purchased every June at our annual Native Plant sale timed for rainy season.

Budding young naturalists gain hands-on experience at Bird Day.

Nature Trails thread our near-native 2.2-acre campus.

A Gulf Fritillary drinks nectar from the Milkweed populating our pollinator gardens.

Lloyd Brown & Daniella Levine Cava release a rehabilitated Red-shouldered Hawk on Bird Day.

Doc Thomas House hosts Conservation Salons & Advocacy Meetings year-round.

Our Bird-friendly Demonstration Garden volunteers.

Winter Conservation Concerts cultivate new members & friends.

A Champagne patio reception serves as prelude to our bi-annual "Walk in the Wood with Wine & Whisk" dinner party fundraisers.

Educational workshops, scout meetings, fundraisers, yoga & private events take place under our iconic chickee.

Our annual BEE-cause Flea helps support the pollinators who feed our planet.

Friends & members gather every Spring beneath our Audubon oaks for an afternoon of conservation awards & camaraderie.

Interactive games, exhibits & bird walks draw families to our annual signature event.

Doc Thomas House hosts Conservation Salons & Advocacy Meetings.

Bird-themed wares, crafted by local artisans are on offer at our annual BEE-cause Flea.

Lloyd Brown and Daniella Levine Cava release a rehabilitated Red-shouldered Hawk on Bird Day. Photo by Eliana Ardila

Bird Day volunteers are the wind beneath our wings.

The late Lewis "Brother" Milledge was our Grounds Chair & Slash Pine "Johnny Appleseed."

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If you have questions, please email us or write to Tropical Audubon Society at 5530 Sunset Drive, Miami FL 33143

Photos at top of page: Painted Bunting brightens native flora; Bird Day features hands-on education for area youth (center photo by Abel Klainbaum; far right photo by Eliana Ardila)