LTC 256-2019 Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at Flamingo Park MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
256-2019
NO. LTC# LETT R TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members • the City C. mission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: May 2, 2019
SUBJECT: Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at Fl.mingo Park
I am pleased to announce that on Saturday, April 27 the city held another successful
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. We gave away over 130 trees and 270 indoor air quality plants
and succulents as part of this event. The number of trees and plants provided was based
on the average of trees and plants we have given away during past events. Although we
had a higher number of trees and plants than previous years (usually we have 100 trees
and 150 plants), we are glad to share we had a record number of residents at the event
at Flamingo Park. The event started at 9 a.m. and all trees and plants were gone by 10:30
a.m.!
The trees that were distributed included the following Florida Friendly species:
• Olive (Olea europaea) - :, :
• Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) t `..),
• Mango (Mangifera indica)
• Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa) .v
This year, taking into account feedback from414r. - . 7 - ' `
residents, small tree species and fruit bearings
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tree species were selected to accommodate t�• 411101
smaller yard areas and appropriate speciest ►+
for balconies. Below is a breakdown by ft*
neighborhood of the participating
households: fit
• 71.5% - South Beach
• 13.7% - Middle Beach ,
• 14.8% - North Beach •
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Together with Miami Beach Botanical Gardens and University of Florida Extension Office
(UF/IFAS), the city also hosted a composting workshop for residents. Over 30 residents
participated and received a free composter from UF/IFAS Extension Office. The workshop
was well received by the community and participants learned about the possibilities of
composting and the benefits of using composted soil to grow healthy trees and plants.
The goal of Saturday's event was to increase the diversity to the city's tree canopy while
promoting principles that will help to develop a more sustainable urban forest.
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The event was so popular that the city will be hosting another tree giveaway during the
month of June. For the next tree giveaway, we will be adding additional medium to large
native and Florida Friendly trees such as the following:
• Pigeon Plum (Coccoloba diversifolia)
• Bay Rum (Pimenta racemose)
• Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba)
• Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
• Mahogany (Swietenia mahogoni)
The tree giveaway program is an excellent opportunity to engage our residents and
educate the public on the many benefits that trees provide our city. It also is a great way
of introducing Florida Friendly trees to help us maintain a diverse and sustainable urban
forest. We will continue to look at ways of improving our tree canopy with the goal of
developing a more resilient tree canopy that will be capable of being a vital part of our
city's green infrastructure.
A special thanks to Greenspace Management, Parks& Recreation, Communications, and
our student volunteers from Nautilus Middle School for helping make this event a success.
Please contact Elizabeth Wheaton, Environment& Sustainability Director, if you have any
questions at 305-673-7010.
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