Miami-Dade Parks hosts annual Earth Day celebration at Larry and Penny Thompson Park

Miami-Dade County Parks Department invites the community to join its annual Earth Day celebration – an event dedicated to conservation, environmental education, and community action. On Saturday, April 26, 2025, Miami-Dade Parks will host this dynamic event at Larry and Penny Thompson Park and Campground, located at 12451 SW 184th St, Miami, FL 33177. The celebration will kick off at 8 a.m., welcoming participants to a day filled with impactful environmental initiatives and activities.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade County Parks Director Maria I. Nardi will deliver special remarks at the event, highlighting the County’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. They will be joined by Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners Vice Chairman Kionne McGhee, Zoo Miami Director Will Elgar, and Natural Areas Manager Jennifer Novak, who will also share their perspectives on the importance of protecting our environment.

This year’s event, which also honors Arbor Day, will include a dedicated tree-planting initiative, reinforcing Miami-Dade County’s mission to expand urban tree canopy. The event will showcase a variety of environmental, educational, and conservation activities, with a focus on the restoration of the park’s endangered Pine Rockland ecosystem. 

Volunteers will have the opportunity to plant native trees and shrubs, participate in a community park cleanup, and support the county’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program by painting sea turtle stakes in preparation for nesting season.

This Earth Day celebration will also feature a kid-friendly Eco Village, nature-based exhibits, and sustainability-focused giveaways, such as native trees and garden plants, to promote eco-conscious living. The event is free and open to the public, with all ages invited to come and participate in hands-on activities to make a lasting environmental impact. For more information, visit the web page.