Town's Tree Canopy Increased Through Urban and Community Forestry Grant

In line with its Green Master Plan, and through the aid of a $10,000 Grant from the Florida Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, the Town of Cutler Bay recently restored some of the tree canopy in Town that was lost from the impacts of Hurricane Irma, as well as restore and designate Lincoln City Park as a Pine Rockland Preserve.

“Our community is one that continuously takes action to preserve our natural surroundings,” stated Mayor Tim Meerbott. “Through this forestry grant—which our Town staff sought out and secured—we are able to increase the tree canopy in Town. A substantial tree canopy aids in cooling the area, cleans the air, increases property value and reduces energy costs, all which improve our quality of life.”

The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program is part of Florida’s ongoing initiative to increase and protect existing tree canopies in developed areas. The program is offered for projects implemented on public lands in all Florida counties.

Through the funding obtained by this grant, plus an additional $10,000 matched by the Town, 51 Florida Native Trees were planted, replacing some of the tree canopy lost during Hurricane Irma. The Town also restored a Pine Rockland at Lincoln City Park—a .6-acre passive park located at SW 212 Street and 99 Avenue. Pine Rocklands are an endangered habitat that only occur in South Florida, the Florida Keys, and some islands of the Bahamas. South Florida’s Pine Rockland habitat has been reduced from approximately 180,000 acres to about 3,000 acres by development and agriculture.

After the results of a 2018 Natural Forest Community (NFC) Quantitative Evaluation indicated that the Town’s Lincoln City Park qualified as an environmentally endangered land, the Town Council adopted a Resolution designating the Park as a natural preserve. Funding from the Forestry Grant assisted with a portion of the restoration and preservation of the park to its natural habitat which included designing a detailed plan for its restoration, replanting of trees, educational signage and continued maintenance.

For additional information, please contact Town Hall at (305) 234-4262 or visit www.cutlerbay-fl.gov.