Broward County

See how the Miami Heat teamed with a Broward school to celebrate Earth Day

Student Tanner English digs a hole in the garden as the school prepares for Earth Day, as the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Student Tanner English digs a hole in the garden as the school prepares for Earth Day, as the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. The festivities were in Hollywood on Thrusday, April 9, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

In celebration of Earth Day, the Miami Heat brought a school beautification and sustainability project to Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood, transforming parts of the campus with new green spaces and upgraded learning tools.

The effort aims to bolster Driftwood’s environmental programs and curriculum, which have already earned the school national and state recognition. The project includes a butterfly garden and new planting beds, providing students with hands-on opportunities to plant flowers, vegetables and other greenery while they learn about conservation and healthy ecosystems. Organizers said the additions are designed to create a more welcoming, peaceful environment on campus.

The day’s event began with a pep rally featuring Miami Heat in-game host Dale, the Hoop Troop, Miami Heat Dancers and Burnie the mascot.

Take a look at the festivities on April 9, ahead of Earth Day:

Anthony Wright, seen at top right, works with fellow students fill beds with pine mulch as the school celebrates upcoming Earth Day, as the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Anthony Wright, top right, works with fellow students fill beds with pine mulch at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
In celebration of Earth Day, the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Earth Day festivities at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood on Thursday, April 9, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
In celebration of Earth Day, the Miami Heat began the day's events with a pep rally as student Mia Maldonado, 14, looks up at Burnie the mascot at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Miami Heat's efforts aim to bolster Driftwood's environmental programs and curriculum, which have already earned the school national and state recognition.
In celebration of Earth Day, the Miami Heat began the day's events with a pep rally as student Mia Maldonado, 14, looks up at Burnie the mascot. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Elaine Fiore, native garden coordinator, seen at center, works with students as the school celebrates upcoming Earth Day, and the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Elaine Fiore, native garden coordinator, seen at center, works with students. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Former NBA player Glen Rice works with students as the school prepares for Earth Day, as the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Former Heat player Glen Rice works with students at Driftwood. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Students, Mia Maldonado, Mariah Wheeler, Khai Harrell, and Damien De Leon jump up in celebration of Earth Day as the Miami Heat began the day's events with a pep rally at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Miami Heat's efforts aim to bolster Driftwood's environmental programs and curriculum, which have already earned the school national and state recognition.
Students, Mia Maldonado, Mariah Wheeler, Khai Harrell, and Damien De Leon jump up in celebration of Earth Day as the Miami Heat began the day's events with a pep rally at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Riley Hidalgo, 13, and Ellen Nguyen, 14, work in the garden as the school prepares for Earth Day, as the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Riley Hidalgo, 13, and Ellen Nguyen, 14, work in the school garden. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Miami Heat's Hoop Troop member Pix-R reacts as he dances with students. In celebration of Earth Day, the Miami Heat began the day's events with a pep rally featuring the Miami Heat dancers, in-game host Uptown Dale, the Hoop Troop, and Burnie the mascot, at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Miami Heat's efforts aim to bolster Driftwood's environmental programs and curriculum, which have already earned the school national and state recognition.
Miami Heat's Hoop Troop member Pix-R dances with students. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
In celebration of Earth Day, the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at award winning Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
In celebration of Earth Day, the Miami Heat transforms the outdoor area at award-winning Driftwood Middle School by installing a new garden and updating the interior. Featuring a butterfly garden, planting beds, and indoor hydroponic towers, students help by planting flowers, vegetables, and greenery, creating a welcoming and peaceful environment in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Students, David Trinidad, Sebastian Recendiz, and Sarah Alonso, jump up in celebration of Earth Day as the Miami Heat began the day's events with a pep rally at Driftwood Middle School in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Miami Heat's efforts aim to bolster Driftwood's environmental programs and curriculum, which have already earned the school national and state recognition.
Students David Trinidad, Sebastian Recendiz, and Sarah Alonso, jump up in celebration of Earth Day. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 1:07 PM.

AS
Alie Skowronski
Miami Herald
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