Homestead Tree Giveaway Planned After $150,000 Grant

A community tree and garden giveaway is coming to Homestead after Miami-Dade County received a $150,000 grant to expand planting projects across the county.

The Homestead event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 6 at the TD Bank branch at 2495 NE Eighth St.

Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management received the funding from TD to support Million Trees Miami, a countywide initiative working to expand Miami-Dade’s tree canopy.

The grant will help pay for tree-planting projects in parks, including shade trees near playgrounds where children can face dangerously high temperatures. Funding will also support smaller environmental projects, including butterfly gardens and habitats for pollinating insects.

Additional tree and garden giveaways will be held in neighborhoods with limited tree coverage.

Miami-Dade County is working toward having trees cover 30% of its land area by 2030. The goal is included in Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Urban Forestry Plan.

Expanding the tree canopy can help reduce the urban heat-island effect, which causes developed areas to become warmer than surrounding communities. Buildings, roads and other paved surfaces absorb and retain heat, while neighborhoods with fewer trees receive less natural shade and cooling.

“Growing our tree canopy is a responsibility we all share,” Mayor Levine Cava said.

“Every tree we plant helps protect our residents, create cooler neighborhoods and ensure a more resilient community for everyone.”

Million Trees Miami was launched through Neat Streets Miami-Dade, a multi-jurisdictional county board focused on developing cleaner, more attractive and environmentally sustainable public spaces.

“Strong private partnerships allow us to reach new areas, give away more trees to our residents, bring more shade to streets and playgrounds, and even create colorful pollinator gardens,” said Loren Parra, director of DERM and Miami-Dade County’s chief resilience officer.

Other giveaways are scheduled for Sept. 4 at 801 W. 49th St. in Hialeah and Jan. 15, 2027, at 7400 SW 40th St. in Miami. The January event will coincide with Florida Arbor Day.

The county’s initial announcement did not specify what trees or plants will be distributed or whether advance registration will be required for the Homestead event.

Residents can visit Miami-Dade County’s website and search for “Million Trees Miami” for program information and future event updates.