We were lucky to catch up with Amanda PRIETO recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I founded a non-profit organization led entirely by a volunteer grassroots group of neighbors from Calusa, located in West Kendall, Miami-Dade County, Florida. Our mission is to advocate for the preservation of 168 acres of vital greenspace and wildlife habitat at the heart of our community. This is where I live, where I am raising my family, and where my children attend the local elementary school, a community we specifically chose for the quality of life it offers.

When I learned of a proposed large-scale residential development on land designated for parks and recreation, I was deeply concerned to discover how the property owner was attempting to circumvent a 99-year land use covenant designed to protect this land indefinitely. I also became aware of the critical role this greenspace plays for local wildlife and that there was no plan in place to preserve their habitat. I felt compelled to take action and advocate to protect our community.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

When I first learned about the proposed development in my community, I was new to Miami. I didn’t yet have a deep understanding of zoning regulations, approval processes, or the protections available for wildlife and their habitats. However, with a background in higher education, technology, research, and project management, I quickly put my skills to work — studying zoning requirements, identifying key stakeholders, and documenting the wildlife that depended on this property to ensure every possible protection was considered.

Throughout the process, I was told again and again that the project was a “done deal.” The land is jointly owned by Facundo Bacardi and one of Florida’s largest developers, both with vast resources, lobbyists, and legal teams. But I believe deeply in the power of community. I felt a responsibility to ensure that local residents were informed and empowered. I built a website, launched a social media campaign, and spread the word in person to encourage active engagement and highlight the importance of public input.

A key turning point came during a zoning hearing, where the owner and developer falsely claimed there was no protected wildlife nesting on the property. I had evidence proving otherwise. Despite this, the zoning was initially approved. In response, we launched a major public awareness campaign, resulting in more than 5,000 letters sent to the mayor urging her to veto the decision. Although she did not veto it, she did take positive action. She issued a memo requiring independent wildlife surveys, and mandated protection of the habitat if nesting was confirmed.

At the same time, we filed a lawsuit over the lack of proper public notice for the zoning hearing. Powered by just $8,000 raised in two months through a grassroots GoFundMe campaign, the case went all the way to the Florida Supreme Court , and we won. The ruling reversed the zoning approval. Meanwhile, independent surveys confirmed the presence of protected wildlife on the site.

While the owner and developer continue to seek ways to build, there are now stricter requirements in place to protect the land’s vital habitat, a direct result of our community’s persistence and commitment.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When the zoning was approved, my community felt ignored, defeated, and disheartened. But we regrouped, determined to find a way forward. We focused on buying time to continue documenting the wildlife before any destruction could occur. It turned out that something as small as a missing newspaper notice became the key to our success. Through successful litigation, that technical violation ultimately reversed the zoning approval and required a new hearing, one where the presence of protected wildlife would have to be properly disclosed, considered, and safeguarded.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

At first, I believed and trusted that the owner and developer would accurately and honestly report the wildlife and habitat conditions, and that the relevant agencies would enforce those requirements. However, I soon learned that their wildlife survey was conducted outside of nesting season, and failed to even document a prominent tree island filled with hundreds of easily visible roosting and nesting birds. Despite presenting my own documentation, the zoning approval was initially granted. But over time, independent surveys confirmed what we had recorded all along.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.savecalusa.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savecalusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savecalusagolf/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/savecalusa/
• Twitter: https://x.com/savecalusa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@savecalusa

Image Credits

DV Nature Photography