The tree plantings will take place during 16 events leading up to the Super Bowl.  The kick-off event is scheduled for November 17, 2009 at 9 a.m. at Laura C. Saunders Elementary School, 505 SW 8 Street in Homestead, and will feature representatives from the Super Bowl Host Committee, Parks Foundation Board Member Dick Anderson who was part of the Miami Dolphins "Dream Team" that won two consecutive Super Bowls in 1973 and 1974, and representatives from the Miami-Dade County Public School System, the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department, and the Parks Foundation.

Hundreds of volunteers are expected to plant more than 300 trees throughout South Florida.  

The planting schedule is as follows:

• Nov. 17, 2009:  Laura C. Saunders Elementary School, 505 SW 8th Street, Homestead - Kickoff Event
• Nov. 18, 2009:  Country Village Park, 6550 NW 188 Terr., Miami
• Nov. 23, 2009:  African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 2166 NW 62 St., Miami
• Dec. 2, 2009:    Tamiami Park, 11201 SW 24 St., Miami
• Dec. 4, 2009:   East Greynolds Dog Park, 11201 SW 24 St., North Miami
• Dec. 8, 2009:    Downtown Pocket Park, Flagler and NW 1 Ave, Miami
• Dec. 9, 2009:    A.D. Barnes Park, 3401 SW 72 Ave., Miami
• Dec. 16, 2009:  McMillan Park, 6125 SW 133 Ave., Miami
• Jan. 6, 2010:     Cinco de Mayo Park, 19351 SW 384 St., Homestead
• Jan. 13, 2010:   Little River Park, 10525 NW 24 Ave., Miami
• Jan. 19, 2010:   Miami Southridge Senior High School, 19355 SW 114 Ave., Miami
• Jan. 21, 2010:   Frances S. Tucker Elementary School, 3500 Douglas Rd., Miami
• Jan. 22, 2010:   Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High School, 7977 W. 12 Ave., Hialeah
• Jan. 26, 2010:   North Country Elementary School, 3250 NW 207 St., North Miami
• Feb. 1, 2010:     Dolphin Center Addition, NW 196 St. & 17 Ave., Miami
• Feb. 4, 2010:     North Trail Park, 780 NW 127 Ave., Miami - Closing Event

Tree plantings and ceremony at all school sites will take place at 9 a.m.  Tree plantings at all Miami-Dade Park sites will take place at 3 p.m. with a 4:30 p.m. ceremony. 

Before and after photos will be taken of all sites and will be showcased at the events. 

Through the NFL Tree Growalition Partnership, the NFL has implemented a long-term monitoring program to track the actual environmental impact of the trees over time.  These figures will be made available on an annual basis and will include all Super Bowl tree projects done since the beginning of this initiative six years ago.

The NFL Environmental Program creates a wide range of projects each year to address the environmental impact of Super Bowl and Pro Bowl-related activities. In addition to helping fund and develop dozens of urban forestry projects each year, tens of thousands of pounds of un-served prepared food from events are distributed to local shelters and community kitchens. Cardboard, aluminum, plastic, and other materials from NFL events are recycled. Decor material, office supplies, equipment, and other usable items are donated to local non-profit agencies for their use.  Dolphin Stadium will be powered by renewable energy for both Super Bowl and Pro Bowl game days and locally produced bio-fuels will be used for on-site power generation and transportation.  The NFL Environmental Program is just one of a large number of community events and initiatives implemented each year to leave a positive legacy in each Super Bowl host community.

"This project fits perfectly with our overall mission of Miami-Dade Parks' Open Space Systems Master Plan which calls for more trees and green spaces in urban areas of Miami-Dade County to make it a more livable, sustainable community," said Jack Kardys, Director of Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department.  "Seamless projects such as this one can only be done through partnerships with entities such as the NFL and the various County-wide agencies participating in the NFL Tree Growalition.  Together we can transform Miami-Dade County into a healthier, more beautiful place for residents and tourists alike," he added.

"In addition to the environmental gains and what we traditionally think of as the benefits of trees, trees provide many social and economic benefits that increases the quality of life in our communities," said Christina Casado, Manager of the Office of Community Image.  "This Growalition is bringing us closer to our goal of 30% tree canopy cover in Miami-Dade by 2020."

During the months of the NFL Tree Growalition project, the Miami-Dade Parks Department's and the Parks Foundation's Adopt-a-Tree program will be lowering the price to Adopt-A-Tree from $750 to $500, so anyone in the community can join in the NFL's effort to make Miami-Dade County more "green."  The Adopt-A-Tree Program provides the opportunity to make living donations to the park of their choice, with the tree of their choice.  All Adopt-A-Tree sites come with a 12" x 18" sign containing the donor's name, installation date, and memoriam information.  This tree marker will be placed at the base of the tree.  The exact location of the tree will be determined by park staff after considering soil suitability, area use, species compatibility to soil type and predominant existing trees, and compatibility with use areas.  Trees will be staked and mulched at planting, and a tree guard installed and maintained.  For more information on the Adopt-a-Tree program, please call Donna Peyton at 305-755-7804. 

For more information on how to volunteer for the NFL Tree Growalition plantings, please call Angie Gomez at 305-961-2781.

Miami-Dade Parks, a three-time National Gold Medal Award (AAPRA and NRPA) winner, Florida Governor's 2009 Sterling Award winner, and an accredited agency, is the third largest park system in the United States, consisting of 258 parks and more than 12,600 acres of land.  It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the nation.  Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises after-school, sports-development and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; arts and culture programs and events; environmental restoration efforts; Miami MetroZoo and Deering Estate; Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Ericsson Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; and more.  The Miami-Dade Parks mission is to create outstanding recreational, natural and cultural experiences to enrich you and to enhance our community for this and future generations.

To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call 305-365-6706.