Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava hosts Earth Day celebration at Larry and Penny Thompson Park

On Saturday, April 20^th, Miami-Dade Parks will host an Earth Day celebration led by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, along with District 9 Commissioner Kionne McGhee and Miami-Dade Parks Director Maria Nardi at Larry & Penny Thompson Memorial Park and Campground, located at 12451 SW 184th St, Miami, FL 33177. The event will kick off at 10 a.m.

“Earth Day reminds us that every day is an opportunity to honor and nurture our precious environment,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Together, we celebrate the beauty, diversity, and resilience of our planet, while recognizing our collective responsibility to safeguard it, and cultivate a sustainable future for today and generations to come."

The event will feature a variety of environmental, educational, and conservation activities with a focus on restoring the park’s Pine Rockland, including a volunteer planting of native trees and plants. Florida’s Pine Rocklands provide habitat for South Florida pine trees, saw palmetto, the Miami tiger beetle, the Florida bonneted bat, and the Atala and Bartram’s hairstreak butterflies, as well as the rare Florida panther and the Gopher Tortoise. ess than two percent of the County’s original Pine Rocklands remain outside Everglades National Park, which makes their preservation crucial.

“Our parks, our environment is our legacy,” said District 9 Commissioner Kionne McGhee. “Earth Day is an excellent time to come together as a community to celebrate and protect the unique biodiversity of South Dade County and all South Florida. We each have something to give and to take away from this park event.”

In line with the global Earth Day 2024 theme— Planet vs. Plastics— participants are invited to take part in a shoreline cleanup along the park’s lake. The event will also feature a kid fun zone and an Eco Village with nature-based exhibits, where visitors can take home plastic-free giveaways such as free orchid or native tree species for planting.

“Every day is Earth Day at Miami-Dade Parks!” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Maria I. Nardi.  “Thank you to the community volunteers and partners who are participating in Parks’ Earth Day celebrations in Miami-Dade County. Our mission is to steward parks and natural areas, as part of the solution to sea level rise, the rising heat index, and other climate change impacts. Through our Echo Action Days coastal cleanup series, eco-action days, and other volunteer events, we welcome the community’s participation in our work to preserve Miami-Dade County’s natural history for this and future generations.”

April is also Earth Month. Click here on Miami-Dade County Parks Earth Day Page to learn more and sign up for other related events.

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About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces is among the three largest park systems in the United States, consisting of more than 287 parks and 40,000+ acres of parks and natural areas, comprised of active, passive parklands and nature preserves. It is one of the most unique and diverse park and recreation systems in the world, focused on placemaking, health and fitness, and conservation and stewardship.

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To request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, and/or any accommodation to participate in any County-sponsored program or meeting, please contact Miami-Dade Parks ADA Coordinator at 305-755-7848 or email, [email protected], five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).

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