Nature lovers will gather at Miami City Hall to speak up for essential urban trees

Miami’s beautiful greenery, and especially its trees, help minimize heat and overall intense climate impacts on all creatures, including the humans who continue to build and pave paradise.

On Jan. 14 at 12 p.m., environmental groups and tree lovers from all over South Florida will gather at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Dr., to speak up and try to save Miami’s trees at a sunshine meeting with city commissioners. They are asking everyone to help.

Numerous groups and individuals have been posting all over social media about the potential city code change. If approved, it would make it easier for real estate developers to cut down trees and replace them with concrete buildings.

“The proposed changes would significantly undermine protections for our trees and put Miami’s urban tree canopy at risk,” said Lauren Jonaitis, Senior Conservation Director of the Tropical Audubon Society.

If it passes, the ordinance that allows even more trees to be cut down would lead to an increased heat index and higher temperatures across an already sweltering region. And it would strike an additional blow to current trees across Miami just as nature advocates try to increase its tree canopy coverage to 30 percent.

“This prioritizes short-term development over the long-term environmental and public health benefits that trees provide. Our tree canopy is essential for addressing climate challenges and supporting the well-being of our community,” said Jonaitis.

Miami residents and environmentalists with Save Miami 305, Miami Climate Alliance, Volunteer Clean up Miami and Urban Paradise Guild will be at the meeting.

Nature advocates including Sandy Smith Moise, Director of Policy for the Urban Paradise Guild, will also be in attendance to fight for Miami’s trees.

The Urban Paradise Guild is a local group that advocates for nature-based solutions to climate change. You can read a county assessment from 2021 to learn about Miami’s troubling tree loss and lack of green growth.

“Please attend the January 14th city of Miami sunshine meeting on the tree ordinance at Miami City Hall,” said Jonaitis. “This is a crucial opportunity to make your voice heard and stand up for the protection of Miami’s trees and urban canopy!”

Check out https://bit.ly/4abrN9Bv to see nature advocates marching to protect the trees at the recent King Mango Strut.

GARDEN CLUB HOSTS NATIVE PLANT SALE

One of the best ways to support our small, vulnerable pollinator residents is to plant Florida native species.

Bees, butterflies, birds and other creatures are critical to sustaining our local ecosystems, but they face significant threats from pesticide use, habitat loss and climate change.

By planting Florida native species you can help provide food and shelter for these creatures to ensure their survival and strengthen the health of our environment.

The Coral Gables Garden Club invites the community to its Native Plant Sale, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 18, in front of City Hall at 405 Biltmore Way.

Event highlights include: a wide variety of beautiful and hardy native plants for sale; gardening experts on-site to offer tips on planting, care and creating pollinator-friendly gardens; and educational opportunities on biodiversity and how your garden can be part of the solution to save endangered pollinators.

“As part of our Centennial Celebration, the Coral Gables Garden Club is proud to host this event to inspire our community to play an active role in conservation,” said Bonnie Seipp, president of the club.

Susan Rodriguez, chair of the plant sale, added that “native plants not only enhance the beauty of our landscapes but are vital to the survival of our pollinators, which are indispensable to our food supply and biodiversity.”

This event is a cornerstone of the Garden Club’s ongoing commitment to civic beautification, education and conservation. All proceeds support pollinator grant initiatives, school garden projects and community educational programs. More at www.coralgablesgardenclub.org/

LGBTQ PHILANTHROPY AWARDS FEB. 8

Established in 2011, The Our Fund Foundation has grown into the third largest LGBTQ+ foundation in the nation. On Feb. 8 it will honor outstanding philanthropy, volunteerism and emerging leadership in South Florida.

“We are proud to celebrate these exceptional leaders whose generosity and vision are transforming our community,” said David Jobin, president and CEO of The Our Fund Foundation. “They embody our mission to advance philanthropy and help make South Florida the nation’s most vibrant and welcoming place for LGBTQ individuals.”

The sixth annual event will be 4-6 p.m., Feb. 8 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Honorees and guests will enjoy a cocktail reception in the lower courtyard prior to the ceremony in the Mary Porter Riverview Ballroom.

Tiffany Eubanks-Saunders, Head of Diverse Segments for the Private Bank business at Bank of America Corporation, is this year’s guest speaker.

The 2025 class of awardees includes: The Warten Foundation (Philanthropist of the Year), Melba DeLeon (Commitment to a Cause Award), and Jeff Delmay (Next Generation Philanthropy Award).

Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased at our-fund.org/awards. For more, or to make a donation, email ocaballero@our-fund.org or call 954-565-1090.

Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.