TPL Hosts Tree Planting in E. Little Havana, FL

Miami, FL, 5/4/2005: Picture this. East Little Havana streets, lined with thousands of trees providing shade, beauty and foliage for this historic Hispanic community and its residents. Que bueno!

East Little Havana residents, families and friends are set to dig in as the Trust for Public Land hosts its first Tree Planting Party Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. The trees, provided by the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit land conservation organization, are being placed along NW 3RD Street from 12th Avenue to South River Drive. Joining in this exciting event are City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Commission Chair Joe Sanchez and Father Alberto Cutie of Radio Paz will start the ceremony by blessing the trees.

Volunteers will plant trees, with signs identifying the tree species, the benefits of trees, and excerpts from neighborhood children’s poems. This event is part of the Trust for Public Land’s East Little Havana “Greenprint” project aimed at increasing the number of parks in the neighborhood, rebuilding the urban tree canopy, and connecting East Little Havana to the Miami River Greenway.

East Little Havana currently has the least amount of parks and green space in the Miami area and less than 5% tree canopy coverage. (The average American City has 30 – 40% coverage.) The Trust for Public Land, in partnership with Citizens for a Better South Florida and the City of Miami, is providing over 100 trees to be planted on Saturday dramatically increasing the canopy coverage in this six-block area. More trees will come as the Greenprint project unfolds.

Entertainment, live radio broadcasts, food and dancing will complete the day. Everyone is invited to join the excitement as East Little Havana celebrates the Trust for Public Land’s First Tree Planting Party.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 2 million acres of land in 45 states. Working in Florida since 1975, TPL has protected more than 300 sites – over 200,000 acres at a market value of more than $500 million. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve our land for people mission. For more information please contact us at (305) 667-0409 or visit us on the web at www.tpl.org/florida.