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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO ESTABLISH AN ECO-LAB TO ENGAGE STUDENTS ON ISSUES RELATED TO SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE TO SEA LEVEL RISE; TO COORDINATE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ON SUCH ISSUES; AND TO PREPARE A REPORT FOR THIS BOARD

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WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County is understood to be particularly vulnerable to sea level rise due to the County�s low elevation and proximity to the coast; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has demonstrated leadership on issues related to sea level rise through the creation of the Miami-Dade County Sea Level Rise Task Force and the County�s Office of Resilience; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. R-807-16, this Board authorized and approved an exhibit related to sea level rise to be placed in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center; and
WHEREAS, in order to further the educational goals of Resolution No. R-807-16, the County shall establish an �eco-lab� in one or more County facilities, including the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center; and
WHEREAS, such an eco-lab would be designed to engage students with projects related to sustainability and resilience to sea level rise, in order to help to better educate future generations on these important issues; and
WHEREAS, the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee may wish to experiment with ideas for this eco-lab and adjust to the interests and needs of students, and therefore it may be advantageous to maintain flexibility and promote creativity in the establishment of the eco-lab,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board hereby directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to establish an eco-lab in one or more County facilities, including in the Stephen P. Clark Center, in order to engage students with projects related to sustainability and resilience to sea level rise and better educate students and future generations on these important issues. The County�s Office of Resilience and Office of Community Advocacy should be consulted and involved in the establishment of this eco-lab. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee shall also coordinate with the School Board of Miami-Dade County on the development of the curriculum and establishment of the eco-lab, to facilitate and allow for collaboration with public, private and charter schools within Miami-Dade County, including partnering with the School Board of Miami-Dade County to expand the eco-lab. Within one year of the effective date of this resolution, the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee shall prepare a report to this Board on this eco-lab initiative and pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65, shall place the completed report on an agenda of this Board. This report may be in the form of a powerpoint presentation, as appropriate, and may contain recommendations from the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee.