In an effort to greener Miami-Dade, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has unveiled the County's Draft Urban Forestry Plan, aiming to boost urban tree canopy cover to 30%. The comprehensive plan, which is seeking feedback from the community, was brought into existence through the combined efforts of multiple departments within the Miami-Dade County government, according to an announcement on the County's website.
As part of a broader strategy to build a resilient and equitable urban ecosystem, the County has not just presented a plan but has taken concrete steps to dramatically increase tree planting efforts across the region. "Our urban tree canopy is an essential part of building a more resilient community where residents in all corners of our County can live, work and thrive," Mayor Levine Cava stated in a press release. Miami-Dade has also fostered partnerships with the school board and faith groups to focus on areas with low canopy coverage.
Miami-Dade County's Chief Heat Officer and Director of Urban and Community Forestry, Jane Gilbert, is urging the public to participate in the conversation and help refine the draft plan. "This draft plan was a collective effort to articulate the challenges facing urban forests and recommend a suite of strategies and collective actions that could get us to our goals,” Gilbert explained in the press release.
Residents are encouraged to have their say in shaping the future of Miami-Dade's green spaces. Options to get involved include attending virtual workshops or visiting the Stephen P. Clark Government Center for in-person discussions. For those who prefer digital communication, there's an online survey available to provide input. More details, including registration links for the workshops and the survey form, can be found on the Miami-Dade government website.
