Miami-Dade County and the Arbor Day Foundation Joined FIFA to Host Tree Planting Event in Miami Gardens Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™

As buzz continues to build ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) and the Arbor Day Foundation joined FIFA to bring lasting environmental impact to Miami-Dade. Together, the collaboration led a community tree planting event in Miami Gardens to help strengthen local tree canopy and bring long‑term environmental benefits to the surrounding area.

On Thursday, April 16th, DERM’s Million Trees Miami-Dade County Program led community volunteers to plant over 200 trees at Snake Creek Trail, a green area located in Miami Gardens, the municipality where the Miami Stadium is located. These trees will help address local environmental priorities such as increasing tree canopy and growing our green infrastructure, while also providing shared green spaces for residents to enjoy for years to come long after the tournament.

“Planting trees in Miami‑Dade’s low‑canopy neighborhoods is one of the most valuable investments we can make for the health and resilience of our community. Trees lower temperature, improve air quality, and create safer, more vibrant public spaces,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “We are proud to partner in this effort to bring more shade, more beauty, and to ensure that every resident has access to the benefits of a thriving urban forest.”

This planting event in Miami Gardens is part of a broader effort connecting large-scale reforestation with community-based projects across the 16 cities in North America, hosting this summer’s international soccer tournament. The Arbor Day Foundation and local partners will help rally volunteers, uplift neighborhoods, and build greener, healthier communities to ensure the energy of the tournament lives on long after the final match.

The event is part of a FIFA and Arbor Day Foundation collaboration to support reforestation and community tree planting efforts in all 16 FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host Cities across North America. The initiative is designed to deliver a positive environmental legacy by addressing specific regional needs across Canada, Mexico and the United States, ranging from disaster recovery and landscape restoration to enhancing biodiversity and watershed resilience.

“As excitement grows ahead of this summer’s tournament, it’s so inspiring to get to work with local communities and harness that momentum to create something meaningful and lasting,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees planted here in Miami will benefit families, neighborhoods, and ecosystems long after the tournament has ended — and that’s a legacy worth celebrating.”

Since 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has led efforts to restore forests and increase urban canopy in more than 60 countries, helping plant more than 600 million trees through its global network of members, supporters, and partners like Miami-Dade County. This project is another example of how local organizations and community members can help drive environmental resilience through the power of trees.

Photos of the event can be found here. Credit: Miami-Dade County.
To learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation’s work, visit arborday.org.

About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management
DERM safeguards Miami‑Dade County’s natural resources by balancing today’s development and community needs with long‑term environmental protection. Through responsible governance, science‑based policy, and proactive resource stewardship, DERM works to ensure a healthy, resilient environment for future generations. Learn more at miamidade.gov/environment.