Dade Heritage Trust honors William N. Irvine, Director of the Deering Estate at Cutler, with a Dade Heritage Trust Preservation Award
(MIAMI, May 8, 2014) – The Dade Heritage Trust presented William N. Irvine, Director of the Deering Estate at Cutler, with a Dade Heritage Trust (DHT) Preservation Award for an Individual, for his outstanding work in preserving Miami's historic and environmental heritage. Irvine received this prestigious award at the DHT’s annual meeting and preservation awards celebration on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at the Coral Gables Museum. The DHT is Miami’s largest nonprofit historic preservation organization, that preserves and promotes the historic, architectural and environmental heritage of Miami-Dade County through advocacy, restoration and education.
The DHT’s Preservation Awards honor individuals, organizations and restoration projects that have excelled in preserving Miami’s historic places. Some of the notable conservation and preservation accomplishments at the Deering Estate at Cutler, under the direction of Irvine include:
- The completion of the $6 million CERP Project (the Deering Flow-way) with the South Florida Water Management District. There is also a concurrent Citizen Science Collaboration with FIU’s Long Term Ecological Research, South Florida Water Management District and several other program partners making this a world class and unique reconciliation ecology project for study and citizen engagement.
- The expansion and diversification of quality programming by using the rich and diverse resources of the Estate has created award-winning programs such as the School Yard Science Program, N.E.S.T.T. Program and the Living Artist Concert Series, as well as the Artist in Residence Program. The Deering Estate at Cutler remains a leader in creating innovative programs to protect and preserve our environment and heritage, and to explore new cultural opportunities in the south Miami-Dade community.
- Through a strong partnership with the Deering Estate Foundation, a preservation and maintenance endowment was established to ensure the ongoing restoration of the historic homes.
About Mr. William N. Irvine
Irvine Graduated from the University of Miami (Recreation Major) in 1975. In that same year, his internship with the Miami Dade County Park and Recreation Department culminated into a full time position. From 1975 to 1980, Irvine worked as an Assistant Park Manager at Haulover Park, was an Assistant to the Division Superintendent, and was a Comptroller/Business Manager for the Zoo and Metro Parks Design and Construction Team (now Zoo Miami) where he managed a capital improvement budget of $45 million. In 1980, Bill accepted a position with the City of Miami Beach Park and Recreation Department as the Assistant Public Services Director and later was promoted the Director of Park and Recreation where he worked until 1992. He returned to the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department in 1993 and has had several key management roles in the department including Hurricane Recovery Coordinator, Chief Contract Management, Operations Coordinator, and his current role as Director of the Deering Estate and Assistant Director for Business Operations and Destinations, where he has increased revenues at the Deering Estate at Cutler by 38% and attendance by 61% since joining the Deering Estate in late 2006. Irvine is an active member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Florida Attractions Association and South Florida After School All Stars. Irvine will be retiring in August 2014, from the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department.
About the Deering Estate at Cutler
The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Historic house tours are offered daily at 10:30 am & 3:00 pm. Natural areas tours are offered daily at 12:30 pm (October – May). EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs, please visit www.deeringestate.org.