7th Annual Tree Summit at FIU's Modesto to Maidique Campus
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 - 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss, who chairs the Community Image Advisory Board, will join Florida International University (FIU) in hosting the 7th Annual Tree Summit on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at FIU's Modesto Maidique Campus (MARC Pavilion), 11299 SW 8 St., Miami. Admission to the Tree Summit is FREE and open to anyone interested in working together to build healthy, sustainable urban forests, parks, and greenbelts for Miami-Dade County and South Florida.
This event brings together local elected officials, government agencies, industry professionals, and non-profit organizations who share the common goal of increasing Miami-Dade County's tree canopy coverage to 30% by the year 2020. The 2013 Tree Summit is titled--"The Jobs are in the Trees"-and will feature discussions by experts in the fields of Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Arboriculture, Urban Planning, and Law on the importance of trees in creating healthier, livable communities, and how they enhance economic growth and stability. This year's summit also includes a job fair for those interested in pursuing careers in these industries.
The keynote speaker, Larry Perez, is a lifelong resident of Miami who has spent nearly twenty years working in south Florida's natural areas. He is the author of Words on the Wilderness: A History of Place Names in South Florida's National Parks (ECity Publishing, 2007) and most recently Snake in the Grass: An Everglades Invasion (Pineapple Press), the most holistic account of south Florida's Burmese python problem to date.
This year's Crown Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Jack Parker, Founding and Emeritus Professor of Environmental Science and Chemistry at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. For almost two decades, he was the Director of the FIU Environmental Studies Program. His research interests focus on ecological landscaping, energy and resource conservation, and energy policy. For his pioneering studies of energy conservation landscaping, he received the American Forests' Research Medal.
Advance reservations are suggested for this event, as space is limited. To register online and for additional information on the 7th Annual Tree Summit visit: milliontrees.miamidade.gov.
About the Million Trees Miami Campaign:
Million TREES Miami Campaign is a Community-wide effort to plant 1 million trees by 2020 in order to achieve a 30% tree canopy cover for Miami-Dade County. Our campaign was developed by the Miami-Dade Community Image Advisory Board and was born of the idea that a healthy and sustainable urban forest provides significant social, economic, and environmental benefits that fosters a high quality, livable, vibrant, and beautiful community.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County's world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.miamidade.gov/parks_foundation.
To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call 305-755-7848.