Rooted
Solutions to
Extreme Heat in
Miami
Miami is facing the growing challenge of extreme heat, which disproportionately affects neighborhoods like Tamiami. Over the past 50 years, average temperatures in Miami-Dade have risen by 2°F, leading to more frequent and intense heat events. In some areas, temperatures can be as much as 10°F higher than in nearby rural zones. The absence of adequate tree canopy, especially in lower-income and underserved communities, leaves residents vulnerable to these extreme conditions. Outdoor workers, such as those in construction, agriculture, and service industries, are particularly at risk, enduring prolonged exposure to extreme heat. The Tamiami Tree Planting event was organized to address this issue by expanding green spaces, which will lower temperatures, improve air quality, and improve community resilience to extreme heat.
For more information on extreme heat and its impacts on communities, visit
Building Climate Leadership: A Partnership Between FIU, Sachamama, and Citizens for Better South Florida
In collaboration with the FIU Institute of Environment, Sachamama offers the Fundamentals of Climate Leadership course to students and the broader community. This 7-week FIU-accredited curriculum enables participants to build healthy, more resilient communities. Through participatory learning processes, peer networking, and leadership tools, we tap into communities’ knowledge to help address some of the challenges they face, determine community needs, and bring forward community-led climate solutions.
The tree planting initiative emerged from the course, where students, through hands-on activities and collaboration, identified green spaces and tree planting as a key community need. Citizens for Better South Florida joined forces with the cohort to bring this local solution to life, highlighting the role of green spaces in urban resilience.
The Million Trees Initiative: Growing a Greener & More Just Miami
The Million Trees Miami initiative is a transformative, community-driven effort to achieve 30% tree canopy cover across Miami-Dade County. By increasing urban greenery, we can enhance the city's beauty, livability, and sustainability. This initiative highlights the extensive social, economic, and environmental benefits of a thriving urban forest, from improving air quality to boosting local well-being.
Tamiami Tree Planting Event: A Step Toward Cooling and Resilience
On March 27th, 2025, the Tamiami Tree Planting event, a joint effort between Sachamama, FIU, Miami-Dade County, Neat Streets Miami, and Citizens for a Better South Florida, marked a key step in addressing extreme heat. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Jane Gilbert, Chief Heat Officer & Director of Urban and Community Forestry, were in attendance to launch the Urban Forestry Plan and emphasize the need for more green spaces. The event brought together 80 attendees and led to the planting of 48 trees, offering volunteers hands-on experience in planting techniques while reinforcing the critical role of trees in our community. As part of the initiative, 16 climate fellows were also trained, further building local capacity to support climate resilience and environmental stewardship.
Why Trees Matter for Miami?
Social Benefits:
Improving Mental
and Physical
Health
Spending time in nature reduces stress, enhances mood, and promotes physical activity.
Enhancing Community Engagement
Trees create inviting spaces that foster a sense of belonging and promote social interactions within neighborhoods.
Creating Safe Spaces
Tree-lined areas provide safer, more pleasant places for families, children, and community members to gather and relax.
Supporting Outdoor Workers
Trees provide shade and cool environments, helping outdoor workers by reducing heat exposure and improving working conditions.
Environmental Benefits:
Mitigating the
Urban Heat Island Effect
Trees help cool the environment by reducing the heat absorbed by heat-retaining surfaces like concrete and asphalt, which are common in cities.
Conserving Energy
Tree canopies provide natural shade, reducing the need for air conditioning in summer and providing windbreaks in winter, leading to lower energy consumption.
Preventing Soil Erosion
Tree roots bind soil together, preventing erosion, reducing the impact of heavy rain, and slowing wind, which protects the land and water resources.
Improving Air Quality
Trees filter pollutants, purify the air, and help reduce asthma and respiratory problems by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Addressing Inequality
Urban forest inequity is the unequal distribution of trees and the vital benefits they offer within metropolitan areas. This disparity often impacts marginalized communities, leading to higher heat exposure and limited access to the health and environmental advantages that trees provide. By engaging the local community, we aim to inspire collective action and empower others to make meaningful changes where they are needed most.
How You Can Make a Difference
Stay connected with us and local organizations. Participate in future climate events, sustainability efforts, and community-driven climate actions.
Together, we can build a more resilient Miami.
Learn more
For more information on Miami-Dade’s Million Trees initiative, explore the
following resources:
#ChangeStartsWithin