Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade receives $25,000 grant from the UPS Foundation for Highland Oaks Park Tree Planting
Volunteers from UPS to Plant Trees and Advance Million Trees Miami Initiative on March 8
(MIAMI, March 3, 2014) – Volunteers from UPS will take part in a volunteer tree-planting project on March 8, from 9 a.m. – noon, at Highland Oaks Park, 20300 NE 24 Avenue in North Miami, FL. Volunteers will plant 75 native trees as part of the long-term Upland Restoration Project at Highland Oaks Park. The project is made possible thanks to a $25,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS (NYSE:UPS), to the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade. UPS Americas Region President of Latin American Operations & Public Affairs Jose A. Acosta presented the check during the Community Image Advisory Board (CIAB) meeting to CIAB Chairman and Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss and Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys.
“We are grateful to The UPS Foundation for its environmental leadership,” Commissioner Moss said. “It’s donations like this that help the Million Trees Miami Initiative achieve our goal of a 30 percent tree canopy by 2020.”
Highland Oaks Park contains approximately 10 acres of freshwater wetlands adjacent to the Oleta River, one of the few remaining natural habitats within the highly urbanized area near Aventura. The Upland Hammock Restoration Project consists of the planting and maintenance of 75 native trees to establish a buffer between the restored wetlands and the active recreation areas of the park. The buffer will create a shady oasis for passive recreation, as well as a protective edge to enhance the long-term health of the restored wetlands.
“The UPS Foundation believes in assisting the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade’s efforts to support Miami-Dade Parks’ Open Space Master Plan, recreational programming, and healthy initiatives,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community.”
“The UPS Foundation’s generous grant will help us complete the final phase of the Upland Hammock Restoration project, the remaining portion of the larger and more comprehensive Oleta River Headwaters Restoration Project which restored the wetlands and the natural flow of the Oleta River,” said Jack Kardys, director of Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces and Parks Foundation Board Member. “Public-private partnerships like this are a great example of how together we can continue to be stewards of our public lands enhancing the public realm for everyone to enjoy.”
About The UPS Foundation
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation is responsible for facilitating community involvement to local, national, and global communities. In 2013, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $102 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.com/foundation. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is 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 http://www.liveaparklife.com/.
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/.