Miami-Dade County will use a $150,000 grant from TD Bank to plant shade trees in parks and distribute trees and garden materials in neighborhoods with limited canopy coverage.
The money will support the county’s Million Trees Miami initiative and its goal of increasing tree canopy coverage to 30% by 2030.
Projects will include shade trees around playgrounds, butterfly gardens, pollinator habitats and other small installations. The playground plantings are intended to reduce surface temperatures and provide children with greater protection from extreme heat.
Trees can help counter the urban heat island effect, which causes heavily developed areas to become warmer than surrounding communities because pavement and buildings absorb heat and fewer trees are available to provide shade and cooling.
The grant also will fund community tree and garden giveaways scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at three TD Bank locations:
• Sept. 4 at 801 W. 49th St. in Hialeah
• Nov. 6 at 2495 NE Eighth St. in Homestead
• Jan. 15, 2027, at 7400 SW 40th St. in Miami
The January event will coincide with Florida Arbor Day.
Million Trees Miami is administered through Miami-Dade’s Department of Environmental Resources Management. The countywide program works with municipalities, community organizations and private partners to plant and preserve trees while expanding access to shade and other green infrastructure.
To learn more, click here.