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Keeping a City clean and beautiful is no easy task, but the dedicated individuals behind Keep Miami Gardens Beautiful (KMGB) are up for the challenge. With a mission to promote environmental stewardship through conservation, recycling, beautification and litter reduction, KMGB has been hard at work making Miami Gardens a more vibrant, welcoming and ecologically-conscious place. Community engagement is vital to their goals. “We continue to identify through dialog, awareness and education of the many components that make Miami Gardens beautiful,” said Program Manager Suzanne Newman.
One key focus for the team this year is partnering with local public schools to develop educational programs on recycling, gardening and environmental awareness. Several schools have already been identified and the plan is to commence these initiatives within the upcoming school year. KMGB’s work with Miami Gardens schools has already begun, with students from Bunche Park Elementary School celebrating Arbor Day to learn about the importance of trees back in April.
Shortly before that, volunteers from Ladies of Dignity, Starbucks and Top Golf helped KMGB to distribute more than 500 trees to residents for beautification of their properties, a process that both supports the mission of the organization and increases home values.
There have been several successful community cleanup events this year, such as those organized by Vice Mayor Katrina Wilson with St. Thomas University, Councilwoman Linda Julien in Leslie Estates 4, and Councilwoman Shannan Ighodaro with Pentecostal Tabernacle Academy. These efforts have been instrumental in bringing residents together and furthering the initiative’s goals.
KMGB has also refurbished roundabouts and medians, and collaborated with the Public Works department to conduct demonstrations on the importance of infrastructure for a thriving urban ecosystem.
There are several exciting activities and programs residents can anticipate in the coming months. Following the Great American Cleanup, organized by Keep America Beautiful in June, Councilwoman Julien’s Quarterly Cleanup will take place on Saturday, July 29th. Additionally, KMGB has been awarded the GREEN Miami Dade County Matching Grant which will fund the planting of more than 100 trees along N.W. 32nd Avenue.
Want to get involved in keeping Miami Gardens beautiful? Residents, community members and interested partners can call 786-279-1280 to contact the KMGB Division at Public Works for more information on volunteer opportunities and outreach. Their business hours are Monday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Contact Suzanne Newman or Angela Blaine via email at snewman@miamigardens-fl.gov and ablaine@miamigardens-fl.gov.
