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The Village of Pinecrest spearheads environmental innovation with a new pilot program that uses floating flower islands to filter pollutants, remove invasive plants and improve water quality in local canals. In partnership with Phytoflora by Green Thumb Strategies, the initiative combines sustainability, beauty, and practicality to address critical water quality challenges while contributing to the health of Biscayne Bay.
The first two floating flower beds will be installed in mid-February 2025 and March 2025 at secondary canals managed by the Village near 115th Street and 70th Avenue. Each 500-square-foot floating platform will feature plants like African marigolds, celosia, and amaranth, as well as experimental native species, all designed to filter nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants from the water. Once the flowers are in bloom, these rafts will harbor stunning pink, red, purple, and gold floral displays.
“Pinecrest has long been a trailblazer in environmental sustainability, from launching Miami-Dade’s first free composting program to integrating green measures into our building code,” said Mayor Joseph M. Corradino. “Projects like the floating flower islands and our new Everglades Earth Cycle initiative showcase how we innovate to address critical challenges, preserve our environment, and set a benchmark for urban environmental stewardship.”
“Wetland ecosystems are the Earth’s kidneys and floating wetlands leverage this filtering function into urban waterways,” said Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez, PhD, Founder and CEO of Phytoflora and Research Associate at Florida International University’s Institute of Environment. “Nutrients are not inherently negative, but too much of a good thing can lead to environmental imbalances that fuel algae blooms and harm aquatic life. Pinecrest and South Florida bear the brunt of these pollutants, making this initiative especially important for our waterways. These floating flower islands clean the water as they grow and can serve as a model for other communities.”
The flower islands also address another pressing issue: invasive hydrilla. This fast-growing plant overtakes canals, hindering water flow and creating unpleasant odors. By intercepting nutrients, the flower beds help mitigate hydrilla growth while reducing the need for herbicides.
This initiative uniquely ties sustainability to community engagement. Harvested flowers will be sold at the Pinecrest Farmers Market at Pinecrest Gardens. Residents and farmers’ market visitors can learn more about the program, support its growth, and help create a virtuous cycle of environmental and community benefits.
Pinecrest’s sustainability efforts also include a new collaboration with the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida through the Everglades Earth Cycle initiative, funded by a $400k USDA grant, secured in collaboration with Commissioner Raquel Regalado. This initiative expands on the Village’s composting program, which diverted over 67,000 pounds of food waste from landfills in just one year. The Miccosukee Tribe will use the compost to rejuvenate soils in the Everglades, enhancing resilience and supporting ecological restoration.
By integrating sustainability, innovation, and community engagement, Pinecrest is paving the way for other urban areas to tackle environmental challenges head-on.
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