Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz digs in for Arbor Day

More than 200 trees to be planted, advancing Million Trees Miami goal

(MIAMI, April 23, 2015) — Friday, April 24, at 10 a.m., Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz (District 12), residents of District 12 and Million Trees Miami will celebrate Arbor Day by planting two oak trees on the corner of NW 127th Ave. and NW 12th St. This event will kick off the planting of more than 200 trees along streets in District 12.  The new trees will help provide shade where families and adults of all ages will walk, bike and play and it will advance Million Trees Miami’s goal of planting one million trees by 2020.

“We are planting trees in a residential neighborhood as a symbol of ‘Arbor Day’ but also a commitment to our environment, as well as to enhance the area for my residents,” said Commissioner Diaz.  “I am proud to provide this natural legacy for the residents and proud to have District 12 be part of the Million Trees Miami initiative.” 

“By funding the greening and beautification of the transportation corridors in his district, Commissioner Diaz is demonstrating the kind of leadership Million Trees Miami needs to achieve its ambitious goal,” said Neat Streets Miami Chairman, Miami-Dade Commissioner Dennis C. Moss (District 9).

National Arbor Day started in 1872 as a special day for planting trees.  Since then, it has become an event celebrated worldwide.  Several jurisdictions in Miami-Dade are holding events to celebrate trees on Friday, April 24.  Million Trees Miami encourages tree planting to help enhance Miami-Dade’s current tree canopy of approximately 14 percent.

Formerly known as the Community Image Advisory Board, Neat Streets Miami launched the Million Trees Miami initiative in 2011 with the intent of empowering individuals and organizations to plant trees to ultimately reach a 30 percent tree canopy for Miami-Dade County by 2020. According to recent studies, Miami-Dade’s existing tree canopy is about 14 percent. 

About Million Trees Miami and Neat Streets Miami
The Million Trees Miami Campaign is a community-wide effort to plant one million trees by 2020 in order to achieve a 30 percent tree canopy cover for Miami-Dade County. Launched by Neat Streets Miami, this campaign promotes a healthy and sustainable urban forest to achieve social, economic and environmental benefits. To find out how to participate in the campaign, visit the Million Trees Miami website.

Neat Streets Miami is a multi-jurisdictional board dedicated to the maintenance and beautification of Miami-Dade’s transportation corridors, gateways and connections.   For more information, visit the Neat Streets Miami website.