Staff Report

 

MIAMI – South Florida is viewed by many as a tropical paradise. Adding to the visual image of that designation are the floral and fruit trees populating many areas, commercially and residentially. Assisting residents interested in adorning their properties with trees is the return of a free tree giveaway program, the first of which will take place at 9 a.m., Sunday, June 26, at Florida International University’s (FIU) Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami.

Eligible Miami-Dade residents will be able to adopt two free trees from a variety of tree species including: Grafted Mango, Mulberry, Carambola, Pigeon Plum, and Dahoon Holly (while supplies last).

The Biscayne Bay Campus is located at 3000 NE 151 Street. More than 2,000 trees will be available for adoption, and experts will be onsite to show participants how to properly plant and care for their new trees. Community service hours are available for students who volunteer to work an Adopt-a-Tree event.

Residents will also be able to save money on their energy and water costs by exchanging their current shower heads and three of their most heavily used regular light bulbs to trade them for more efficient ones (while supplies last).

The complete Adopt-a-Tree event schedule for 2016 is as follows: Saturday, August 27, 9 a.m. – noon: West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Staff Parking Lot 15755 SW 96 Street, Kendall

Saturday, September 17, 9 a.m. – noon: Doral Central Park (formerly JC Bermudez Park)

3000 NW 87th Avenue, Doral

The Adopt-a-Tree program was created in 2001 to help increase Miami-Dade County’s tree canopy. Since then, more than 190,000 free trees have been given away within the community.

For more information, including the eligibility requirements, visit the Adopt-a-Tree website or call 305-372-6784. For more information about the showerheads exchange program, call 311.