Urban-Forestry-Master-Plan-Press-Release
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2020
City of Miami Beach Adopts its First Urban Forestry Master Plan
— Building a Sustainable Urban Canopy in a Time of Rising Seas —
Miami Beach, FL – Yesterday, the mayor and commission unanimously adopted the
city’s first Urban Forestry Master Plan, which establishes best management practices to
adapt the tree canopy to be resilient to urban threats such as disease, tree abuse and
lack of space as well as climatic threats, including sea level rise, saltwater intrusion and
rising temperatures.
“The Urban Forestry Master Plan provides a roadmap to enhance tree canopy coverage
and increase species diversity,” Mayor Dan Gelber explained. “A healthy urban forest
provides vital environmental, social, economic and aesthetic benefits to our community.”
As the rising groundwater table and saltwater inundation challenges the future
sustainability of Miami Beach’s urban tree canopy, the master plan sets a goal to
increase canopy coverage from 17% to 22% over the next 20 years.
To accomplish this goal, the plan includes a design toolkit that outlines a native and
Florida Friendly planting palette, design criteria considerations for tight urban spaces
and three case studies related to sea level rise adaptation. Other identified opportunities
consist of addressing improper tree maintenance and removals within private property,
enhancing public education on tree planting and care along with removing impervious
surfaces to accommodate trees on public property.
The Urban Forestry Master Plan will also serve as a key tool for the implementation of
the general obligation bond $5 million reforestation project. Over the next five years, the
city is planning to plant more than 5,000 trees in Miami Beach. These efforts will ensure
the continued protection and enhancement of the city’s urban forest.
Learn more about the Urban Forestry Master Plan by visiting
www.mbrisingabove.com/trees.
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