Cutler Bay Expands Tree Canopy in Town Through Neat Streets Miami Tree Matching Grant
November 17, 2021
In an effort to expand Miami-Dade County’s tree canopy by leveraging local resources, Neat Streets Miami awarded the Town of Cutler Bay a Street Tree Matching Grant for a tree planting project around the Saga Bay community in the amount of $20,475.
In its sixth year, Neat Streets Miami’s street tree program awarded 15 organizations matching grants to advance the Million Trees Miami initiative, a community-wide effort to achieve a 30 percent tree canopy for Miami-Dade County.
“It’s no secret that trees are one of our most precious natural resources,” stated Cutler Bay Mayor Tim Meerbott. “They feed us, clothe us, provide us clean air, shelter, beautify our communities, are known to improve the mental and physical health of communities, help reduce energy costs and so much more. We want to continue enjoying all the benefits they provide us, so our previous and current Town Council and staff have put in place many initiatives that help expand our Town’s tree canopy. One of those initiatives includes yearly tree-planting projects that are made possible through grants like the Street Tree Matching Grant.”
Through this grant—matched by the Town—a total of 62 trees were planted over the summer to provide shade and beautify the community. A variety of Florida-friendly trees were planted which include: 19 Live Oak trees, 23 Silver Buttonwood, 10 Green Buttonwood, and 10 Gumbo Limbos.
Each year, the Town’s tree-planting projects give preference to areas with low tree canopy and are guided by the Town’s Street Tree Master Plan. This year, the project focused on the Saga Bay community, with the majority of trees planted along SW 85th Avenue from Old Cutler Road, at bus stops, and leading to Lakes by the Bay Park. Trees were also planted are along SW 196 Street, east of Old Cutler Road, where Dr. E.L. Whigham Primary Learning Center is located, and SW 205 Street leading to Saga Bay Park.
Made possible through the County’s Tree Trust Fund, preference was also given to areas with low-to-moderate income populations.
About Million Trees Miami and Neat Streets Miami:
Launched by Neat Streets Miami, the Million Trees Miami initiative is a community-wide effort to achieve a 30 percent tree canopy cover for Miami-Dade County. Neat Streets Miami is a multi-jurisdictional county board dedicated to the maintenance and beautification of transportation corridors, gateways, and connections.
About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces:
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 278 parks and 13,769 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world and focused on Placemaking, Health and Fitness and Conservation and Stewardship.
To learn more about other Town projects and happenings, sign up to receive the Town’s e-notifications at www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/subscribe.
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