Haulover Beach Park and Marina Reforestation Project to receive boost of 75 new trees from Wizo and Bio Planet
(MIAMI, January 29, 2015) - On Sunday, February 1, 2015, the Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO) South Florida Chapter and its members, in partnership with BioPlanet USA and Neat Streets Miami, chaired by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss (District 9), will plant approximately 75 native coastal trees in support of the County’s Million Trees Miami Campaign at Haulover Beach Park and Marina, 10800 Collins Avenue, Miami. The tree plantings will begin at 9 a.m. A ceremony will follow at 10 a.m., officiated by Miami-Dade County Commissioners Sally A. Heyman (District 4) and Commissioner Moss, addressing the Million Trees Miami initiative and the value of investing in community aesthetics. This is a family-friendly event. Free parking will be available at the lot west of Collins and 108 Street, with access to the site through tunnels under Collins Avenue.
“I am grateful to Neat Streets Miami, our Parks Department and our community partners, WIZO and BioPlanet, for supporting the great work of the Million Trees Miami program,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Through public-private partnerships such as these, Miami-Dade County is making great strides in building a greener and more livable community.”
Formerly known as the Community Image Advisory Board, Neat Streets Miami launched the Million Trees Miami initiative in 2011, with the intent of empowering individuals and organizations to plant trees to ultimately reach a 30 percent tree canopy for Miami-Dade County by 2020. According to recent studies, Miami-Dade’s existing tree canopy is about 14 percent.
“On Super Bowl Sunday, it will be my pleasure to be working with WIZO and BioPlanet in this endeavor to grow a more livable and vibrant Miami-Dade County community,” said Commissioner Moss. “Everyone wins with trees—bettering our health, economy and aesthetics.”
The tree plantings are made possible through the generous support of Commissioner Heyman’s office.
“Working with WIZO is a great partnership to greening our parks and beaches," said Commissioner Heyman. “My office, along with cities in District 4, are happy to join the Million Trees Miami effort to re-shade South Florida.”
The project, called the “WIZO Tree of Life Forest” is part of the Million Trees Miami initiative. For the fourth consecutive year, WIZO members have raised funds as part of their annual drive allocating 50 percent of the tree donations to benefit the WIZO Nir Haemek School Greenhouse in Israel and the other 50 percent to support the planting and upkeep of the WIZO Forest in Miami.
“With these new trees, we have contributed a total of nearly 400 trees to the park’s developing Haulover Wizo Forest, a place where families will be able to picnic, play and relax with nature,” said Ruthy Benoliel, Chairperson for WIZO Florida. “WIZO is proud to make this long-lasting investment in such a beautiful open space.”
“We are proud to have partnered with WIZO and BioPlanet for four consecutive years on this vital reforestation effort at Haulover Beach Park and Marina,” said Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department Director Jack Kardys. “This investment of trees will not only green and beautify our park, but also create a living legacy for generations to come.”
About WIZO:
WIZO is a worldwide volunteer organization supporting and operating over 800 social welfare projects aiming to improve the lives of women, children and the elderly living in Israel. Having set roots in Miami with a proud history of philanthropy and community service, prominent leaders of the Jewish Community, the General Consul of Israel in Miami, and distinguished guests are expected to attend the event.
WIZO has committed to this tree planting as part of their celebration of Tu B'shevat (a Jewish holiday celebrating the New Year of the Trees) and hope to continue their support of Million Trees Miami on an annual basis as a way to give back to the community.
About BioPlanet:
BioPlanet is an international 501(c)3 non-profit environmental organization generating reforestation, social and agricultural development efforts, while promoting corporate social responsibility and working hand in hand with businesses to generate environmental awareness within their organization and in their community.
About Million Trees Miami and Neat Streets Miami
The Million Trees Miami Campaign is a community-wide effort to plant one million trees by 2020 in order to achieve a 30 percent tree canopy cover for Miami-Dade County. Launched by Neat Streets Miami, this campaign promotes a healthy and sustainable urban forest to achieve social, economic and environmental benefits. To find out how to participate in the campaign, visit milliontrees.miamidade.gov. Formerly known as the Community Image Advisory Board, Neat Streets Miami is a Miami-Dade County Advisory Board dedicated to the maintenance and beautification of transportation corridors, gateways and connections. Visit http://miamidade.gov/parks/community-image.asp for more information.