MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER

In February 2025, Palm Beach County's Office of Resilience (OOR) initiated flood and sea-level rise risk assessments for central municipalities using a $1.086 million Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) grant. The project, assisted by Tetra Tech, aims to address current and future flooding in Cloud Lake, Glen Ridge, Golf, Haverhill, Hypoluxo, and Palm Springs. This effort is part of FDEP's statewide flood vulnerability and sea-level rise assessment, expected to be completed by 2026.

From February 5–6, 2025, over 70 Florida sustainability professionals met at the Florida Sustainability Directors Network annual conference. Hosted by the City of Cape Canaveral, participants took a tour of the Kennedy Space Center and the city’s rain garden project. This conference also held expert panels focusing on issues relating to extreme heat, insurance, and solar projects.  

Additionally, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Southeastern Sustainability Directors Network hosted “Electrify the South Collaborative 2025: Driving Change Through Local Leadership” in Orlando later that week. This two-day conference brought together local governments from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee to discuss strategies for maximizing federal funding for clean energy integration and electric vehicle infrastructure. In addition to improving electric vehicle infrastructure, the event facilitated problem-solving and relationship-building among stakeholders. 

At a February 5, 2025, meeting, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved OOR’s proposal to create a Resilience Element in the county's Comprehensive Plan. This decision allows OOR to develop the element, which will prioritize adaptation, mitigation, sustainable development, and collaborative resilience planning to guide climate resilience efforts countywide. To watch this presentation, click here.

April is Earth Month, and Palm Beach County has much to celebrate through plenty of events and opportunities to give back to the planet. Whether it is through enjoying over 31,000 acres of PBC’s natural areas of conserved land that is maintained by PBC’s Environmental Resource Management or participating in an Earth Day event hosted by PBC Parks and Recreation Department or OOR’s partners, here are some meaningful ways to celebrate Earth Month and get involved within the community!

• City of West Palm Beach’s e4 Life Green, Health, & Wellness Expo: April 5, 2025, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Keep PBC Beautiful Clean Up Events: April 5–24, 2025, Times vary based on event
• City of Boynton Beach’s Earth Month Celebration: April 12, 2025, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
• Earth Day Events at PBC Libraries: April 14–23, 2025, Times vary based on event
• Earth Day at Okeeheelee Nature Center: April 19, 2025, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
• City of Delray Great American Clean Up: April 20, 2025, 8:00 AM–10:00 AM
•  City of Delray Talk on Sustainability and Resilience: April 20, 2025, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens 10^th Annual Earth Day Celebration: April 22, 2025
• Visit Palm Beach Earth Day Coastal Cleanup: April 22, 2025, 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
• PBC Great America Cleanup Day: April 26, 2025, Times vary based on location
• Earth Day at Daggerwing Nature Center: April 26, 2025, 10:00 AM
• City of Wellington Earth Day Events: April 26, 2025, 10:00 AM
• North Palm Beach Earth Day Event: April 26, 2025, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Drive Electric’s Supercar Week’s Green Street Event: April 27, 2025, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM 

Governor DeSantis Provides Budget Recommendations that Focus on Conservation Efforts



On February 3, FDEP announced Governor DeSantis' investments in the environment for the upcoming fiscal year. In addition to allocating funds to Everglades restoration efforts, water quality, water supply, and Florida's coastlines are top priorities. To read about the individual allocation of funds, click here. 

Miami-Dade County Announces Loren Parra as new Chief Resilience Officer



On February 20, Miami-Dade County announced its new Chief Resilience Officer (CRO), Loren Parra. Parra last served as the county’s Chief Bay & Water Resources Officer. To learn more about the new CRO, read here.

PBC OOR and Community Greening Host 3^rd Tree Giveaway to Glades Residents

Location: Tanner Park Center, 105 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, South Bay, FL 33493

Date: April 5, 2025, 10:00 AM until supplies run out

Details: Join OOR and Community Greening for the Resilient Glades Tree Campaign’s next tree giveaway. The third giveaway will include a variety of native trees such as dahoon holly, marlberry, red maple, strangler fig, and fruit trees such as avocado and mango. Community members of Belle Glade, Canal Point, Lake Harbor, Pahokee, and South Bay are eligible for up to three trees to plant in their yards. Trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. To learn more, click here.

Boynton Beach and Community Greening to Host Tree Giveaway during Earth Month Celebration

Location: Sara Sims Park, NW 9^th Court, Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Date: April 12, 2025, 12:00 PM until supplies run out

Details: Join the City of Boynton Beach and Community Greening for a free tree giveaway during Boynton’s Earth Month Celebration. This event will include native trees such as Florida Keys blackbead and inkwood, as well as Barbados cherry, starfruit, and soursop trees. Residents of Boynton Beach are eligible for up to two trees to plant in their yards. Trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. To learn more, click here.

Delray Beach and Community Greening to Giveaway Native and Fruit Trees to Residents

Location: Old School Square, 180 NE 1^st Street, Delray Beach, FL 33444

Date: April 13, 2025, 10:00 AM until supplies run out

Details: Join the City of Delray Beach and Community Greening for a free tree giveaway of native and fruit trees. Residents of Delray Beach are eligible for up to three trees to be planted in their yards. Trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. To learn more, click here.

SAVE THE DATE: The 17^th Annual Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit

Location: Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL

Date: December 16–17, 2025

Details: The 17th Annual Climate Leadership Summit, organized by the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact and hosted by Palm Beach County, is a key regional gathering that fosters critical collaboration with regional and national leaders to address the climate crisis on a large scale. For more information, click here. 

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