Million Trees Miami Partnership will Transform Haulover Park with Tree Make-Over
Public invited to help plant 120+ trees
(MIAMI, January 10, 2014) - On Sunday, January 12, 2014 the Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO) South Florida Chapter, in partnership with BioPlanet USA and the Miami-Dade Community Image Advisory Board (CIAB), chaired by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss (District 9), will plant more than 120 native coastal trees and shrubs at Haulover Park and Marina (10800 Collins Avenue, Miami) in support of the County’s Million Trees Miami Campaign. Planting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and a 10 a.m. dedication ceremony will follow. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman (District 4) will officiate at the ceremony and discuss the Million Trees Miami initiative and the value of investing in community aesthetics. This is a family-friendly event. Free parking will be available at the lot west of Collins and 108 Street, with access to the site through tunnels under Collins Avenue. Food trucks will offer Kosher food for purchase.
“I’d like to congratulate the WIZO organization for providing such an amazing transformation for Haulover Park through their tree plantings. The new trees will maximize the visitor appeal of this landmark destination and provide a financial boost to our community for many years to come,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “It is through the CIAB’s continuous efforts that fruitful community partnerships such as that with WIZO are forged. Projects that green and beautify our county parks and open spaces are helping us build a healthier and more vibrant Miami-Dade County,” he added.
“One of the Community Image Advisory Board’s (CIAB) priorities has been to work towards building a better Miami-Dade County through the Million Trees Miami initiative. As Chairman of the CIAB, it has been a great honor to partner with WIZO. Thanks to this collaboration and generous support of Commissioner Heyman and the Parks Department their commitment has proven that we can work together as a community to increase the county’s tree canopy and reach our goal by the year 2020,” said Commissioner Moss.
“We are thrilled with WIZO’s staunch passion for environmental stewardship and determination to plant in our community’s parks and beaches. Beyond providing shade and beauty, trees provide numerous quality-of-life benefits, including cleaning air and water, and provide critical wildlife habitats. Planting and caring for trees and increasing our green spaces are important now and for future generations,” said Commissioner Heyman.
“This marks the third consecutive year that the Parks Department has joined WIZO in advancing Million Trees Miami. The plantings at Haulover Park are a great example of the Park and Open Spaces Master Plan and are part of our ongoing commitment to re-greening Miami-Dade County,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys.
CIAB launched the Million Trees Miami initiative in 2010 with the intent of empowering individuals and organizations to plant trees to ultimately reach a 30 percent tree canopy by 2020. According to recent studies, the Miami-Dade existing tree canopy is about 14 percent. To date, BioPlanet together WIZO has planted more than 350 trees in Haulover Park.
For additional information on the Million Trees Miami initiative contact Miami-Dade County Community Image Manager Patrice Gillespie Smith at 786-295-2785.
The “WIZO Tree of Life Forest” project is part of the Million Trees Miami initiative. WIZO members have held three annual drives to raise funds for this effort.
WIZO is a worldwide volunteer organization supporting and operating over 800 social welfare projects aiming to improve the lives of women, children and the elderly living in Israel. Having set roots in Miami with a proud history of philanthropy and community service, prominent leaders of the Jewish community, the General Consul of Israel in Miami, and distinguished guests are expected to attend the event.
WIZO has committed to this tree planting as part of their celebration of Tu B'shevat (a Jewish holiday celebrating the New Year of the Trees) and hope to continue their support of Million Trees Miami on an annual basis as a way to give back to the community.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.miamidade.gov/parks_foundation.
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