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The American Council of Engineering Companies Florida Chapter (ACEC-FL) presented Â鶹´«Ã½ with a Grand Award in the Water Resources Category for its work on the Robinson Preserve Expansion project at its annual Engineering Excellence Award Banquet. The awards recognize projects that represent a wide range of engineering achievements and demonstrate the highest degree of skill and ingenuity.

The Robinson Preserve Expansion project, located in Bradenton, restored 150 acres of formerly disturbed farmland to a mosaic of native coastal habitats where wildlife can thrive. The preserve is home to endangered and threatened species that include the American oystercatcher, bald eagle, black skimmer and wood stork. As part of Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s role, the team provided site assessment, planning, engineering design, permitting and construction phase services for Phases I and II of the project involving passive recreation, ecological restoration and habitat creation.

Efforts focused on restoring coastal upland forests and improving water quality in the surrounding Manatee River, Perico Bay and Palma Sola Bay ¨C actions critical to protecting coastal ecosystems. The project also included habitat creation to support nesting for protected bird species and spawning waters for important game fish like snook and tarpon.

An integral part of the Robinson Preserve Expansion was the inclusion of new amenities for the community to enjoy. The Â鶹´«Ã½-designed facilities include exercise trails, boardwalks, pedestrian bridges, parking, restrooms, age-specific thematic playgrounds, kayak and paddle trails and educational signage. Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s design helped realize the combined vision of the Manatee County government, the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Robinson Farms and the Mosaic Foundation to create a public space dedicated to nature, exploration, science and technology.

The ACEC-FL awards banquet was held on July 26 at the Vinoy^? Renaissance in St. Petersburg, Florida. The ceremony featured a video highlighting the completed Robinson Preserve.