Under the bright South Florida sun, CFACT collegian Joshua Espinoza from Florida International University (FIU) and a team of determined students traded the classroom for the canal bank—taking conservation into their own hands in a way few campus events ever do.
Gathering around 10 a.m. near a small boat ramp feeding into Snapper Creek, Espinoza led a group of seven participants—five from FIU and two who traveled in from Martin County—to confront one of South Florida’s most visible environmental threats: invasive green iguanas.
Armed with air rifles, bows, and a crossbow, the team spread out along the canal’s edge, scanning the banks and overhanging branches where the reptiles bask. What followed was not just a hunt, but a hands-on lesson in real-world conservation. Over the course of the event, the group successfully removed approximately nine invasive iguanas, a meaningful impact in a region where unchecked populations threaten native vegetation, infrastructure, and wildlife.
Espinoza noted that the experience was as educational as it was impactful. Participants quickly learned the challenges of effective population control—discovering, for instance, that smaller caliber air rifles were best suited for younger iguanas, while larger “dragon-sized” adults proved far more resilient. The group also faced logistical hurdles, including difficulty retrieving animals from the water due to limited equipment.
At one point during the event, local law enforcement arrived on scene after receiving a call. Rather than raising concerns, the responding officer commended the students for taking initiative in addressing an invasive species problem, simply reminding them to continue prioritizing humane practices like only taking “clean kill” shots in the field.
This event exemplifies CFACT’s Conserve & Preserve campaign in its purest form. Rather than classroom debates or distant policy discussions, Espinoza and his team engaged directly with an environmental issue impacting their own community. Invasive species management is a critical, often overlooked component of stewardship—one that demands action, not just awareness.
Thanks to efforts like these, students aren’t just learning about conservation—they’re living it. And in Miami, that means rolling up their sleeves, wading into the mud, and quite literally taking aim at the problem.
