OOR, Community Greening, and PBC Parks and Recreation Host Tree Planting at Duncan Padgett Park | | On March 7, 2025, Community Greening, PBC Parks and Recreation, and the Office of Resilience (OOR) hosted a tree planting at Duncan Padgett Park, Pahokee, FL. Students from Crossroad Academy and volunteers planted 21 trees within the park to expand the tree canopy, add shade, improve air quality, and increase biodiversity within the park. To learn more about future Community Greening events, visit: https://communitygreening.org/events | | Keynote Speakers Confirmed for the SE FL Regional Climate Leadership Summit | | April 22: Proclaimed Earth Day in Palm Beach County by the Board of County Commissioners | | At the Palm Beach County (PBC) Board of County Commissioners meeting on April 1, 2025, Commissioner Flores proclaimed April 22, 2025, as Earth Day. This year marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, a national day to focus on the environment that is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The County Departments that comprise the Environmental Protection Cross Departmental work hard on Earth Day and every day to improve the County's environmental and resilience strategies to better serve our residents and visitors. These efforts have resulted in important indicators like the return of rare bird species and the emergence of the County’s ecotourism sector. Earth Day celebrations are being held at the County’s Okeeheelee, Green Cay, and Daggerwing nature centers. For more information, visit https://discover.pbc.gov/parks/pages/nature.aspx/. | | |
Did you know that World Bee Day is on May 20, 2025? To prepare, learn more about ways to support bees and other pollinators through the following resources:
-
Learn more about pollinators from the UF/IFAS Extension Office’s resources.
-
PBC Parks hosted a local Parks for Pollinators “Bioblitz” campaign in September 2024. During this campaign, community members helped document pollinators and plants at County-owned parks, nature centers, and natural areas. Check out the results to learn more about PBC pollinators and download the iNaturalist App to help ID bees and other pollinators.
-
The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society’s goal is to preserve, conserve, and restore the native plants and native plant communities of Florida, which serve as nectar sources and host plants for local pollinators! The group hosts speakers, hikes, and events to promote native plants.
-
The Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association has been active since 1974. Its mission is to educate the public on the importance of honey bees for the local environment through workshops, conferences, training, and other outreach throughout the year.
| | |
Over $389 million in grants will be used to improve water quality and expand water supply across Florida, including major investments in the Indian River Lagoon, Caloosahatchee River, and Biscayne Bay. These funds will support 31 high-priority projects aimed at reducing nutrient pollution and enhancing water infrastructure, building on nearly $2.9 billion already invested under Governor DeSantis’s administration to protect Florida’s water resources. To reach more, click HERE.
| | |
The University of Florida has created a new emergency alert system called BEACON that uses artificial intelligence and radio to keep people informed during disasters, even if the power or cell service goes out. It lets official agencies quickly send updates about things like storms, road closures, or dangerous situations, so people can stay safe using a simple battery-powered or crank radio. To read more, click HERE.
|
Researchers at Florida International University have developed a new type of battery using lithium-sulfur that’s cheaper, lighter, and can hold more energy. This new technology would help improve the lifetime and performance of electric vehicle batteries. To read more, click HERE.
|
Rising sea levels and frequent hurricanes put the Florida Keys at high risk of flooding and erosion, but nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration can help protect the shoreline. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and The Nature Conservancy developed a new tool to guide where to use natural or hybrid shoreline protection methods. To learn more, click HERE.
|
Florida State University researchers received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study how weather and air patterns affect wildfire spread. Their goal is to improve wildfire prediction and emergency response by using computer simulations to better understand how smoke, embers, and wind interact during fires. To learn more, click HERE.
|
Broward County leaders unveiled a $28 billion plan to tackle climate impacts like sea level rise and flooding, aiming to strengthen infrastructure and boost community resilience. To learn more, click HERE.
| | |
Location: Pahokee Campground & Marina, 190 North Lake Avenue, Pahokee, FL 33476
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 6:00–7:30 PM
Details: Pahokee Community Members: We want your feedback! Join us at this community workshop to learn about the County's Resilience Action Plan and help us prioritize the Pahokee projects included in this plan. Light refreshments will be provided to workshop participants. For more information about this project, click here.
| | |
Location: PBC Main Library, 3650 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6:00–7:30 PM
Details: Unincorporated PBC Community Members: We want your feedback! Join us at this community workshop to learn about the County's Resilience Action Plan and help us prioritize the Unincorporated PBC projects included in this plan. Light refreshments will be provided to workshop participants. For more information about this project, click here.
| |
City of West Palm to Host Rain Barrel Giveaway
Location: Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, 253 Barcelona Rd, West Palm Beach, FL
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Details: The City of West Palm Beach’s Office of Sustainability will be hosting a water conservation and rain barrel giveaway at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. Attendees will be given guidance on installation and will also take a tour through the gardens. Additionally, award-winning artist Jeanne Martin will teach participants how to paint their rain barrels. This event is open to City of West Palm Beach water customers. Registration is required, and an entry fee for the gardens will be assessed at the event, but the rain barrels are free. To learn more about this giveaway and to register, click here.
| |
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OR FEEDBACK? CONNECT WITH US AT
| | | | |
