Developers Seek to Remove Mangroves in Broward County

Environmental activists fight to preserve 160 acres of mangroves in Dania Beach

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A developer wants to build a warehouse on a 5-acre parcel of land in the middle of 160 acres of mangroves in Dania Beach, Florida. Broward County Commissioners will vote on whether to remove that parcel from the Environmentally Sensitive Land Map, which would allow the development to move forward. Biologist Dr. Missy Williams and local environmental activists are fighting to preserve the mangroves, arguing they are a thriving ecosystem home to many animals and birds.

Why it matters

The mangroves in Dania Beach are an important environmental resource, providing habitat for wildlife and serving as a natural buffer against storms and flooding. Allowing the removal of even a small portion of these mangroves could set a dangerous precedent, leading to further encroachment and the gradual destruction of this vital ecosystem.

The details

The developer, Shlomi Melloul, wants to build a warehouse on a 5-acre parcel in the middle of the 160-acre mangrove forest. Melloul claims the existing wetland has been degraded, but Dr. Williams disputes this, saying the area is a thriving ecosystem. The developer has offered to donate 1.3 acres back to the county for conservation, but activists fear this is not enough to offset the loss of the 5-acre parcel.

  • Broward County Commissioners will vote on the issue on March 3, 2026.

The players

Dr. Missy Williams

A biologist who runs the Dania Beach Monkey Sanctuary and Vervet Project, and is leading the fight to preserve the mangroves.

Shlomi Melloul

The owner of the 5-acre parcel of land in the mangrove forest, who wants to build a warehouse on the property.

Commissioner Beam Furr

The Broward County Commissioner who represents the area and has said he will vote against the proposal to remove the parcel from the Environmentally Sensitive Land Map.

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What they’re saying

“Once the mangroves are removed, you can't replicate this anywhere else. So we are concerned that a developer wants to carve out a five-acre parcel of mangrove just for a warehouse.”

— Dr. Missy Williams, Biologist (CBS News Miami)

“It's a very healthy ecosystem. So to describe one, five-acre parcel as degraded, it's not accurate at all.”

— Dr. Missy Williams, Biologist (CBS News Miami)

“These are important wetlands and that he'd be voting against it.”

— Commissioner Beam Furr (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

The Broward County Commission will vote on the proposal to remove the 5-acre parcel from the Environmentally Sensitive Land Map on March 3, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between development and environmental preservation in Florida, where valuable ecosystems like mangrove forests face constant pressure from commercial interests. The outcome of the Broward County Commission's vote will set an important precedent for how such conflicts are resolved in the future.