Miami is facing a tree emergency.
Across our city, mature canopy trees, including protected, specimen, and public right-of-way trees, are being removed at an alarming rate, often justified simply because they "conflict with construction." Trees that have taken decades, and in some cases more than a century, to grow are disappearing in a matter of hours.
But permitted removals are only part of the problem.
Miami is also losing trees through illegal removals, removals without permits, unauthorized damage during …
Miami is facing a tree emergency.
Across our city, mature canopy trees, including protected, specimen, and public right-of-way trees, are being removed at an alarming rate, often justified simply because they "conflict with construction." Trees that have taken decades, and in some cases more than a century, to grow are disappearing in a matter of hours.
But permitted removals are only part of the problem.
Miami is also losing trees through illegal removals, removals without permits, unauthorized damage during construction, and failures to protect trees that were approved to remain. Every tree lost without accountability further erodes our urban canopy and public trust.
Every mature tree removed makes Miami hotter, less resilient, and more vulnerable to flooding.
Trees are not decorative amenities. They are essential infrastructure and the heart of our neighborhoods. They cool our streets, improve air quality, absorb stormwater, reduce flooding, support wildlife, store carbon, and improve public health. They also create beautiful, walkable neighborhoods, increase property values, and foster the sense of place and community that makes Miami's neighborhoods special. Trees connect us to nature, and to one another. They create places where neighbors gather, children play, people walk instead of drive, and communities grow stronger together.
Yet residents are witnessing a troubling pattern:
Public confidence has also been shaken by a lack of transparency. The City's first Tree Committee meeting was not publicly advertised on the Legislative Hub, and esidents were told it was not open to the public.
Miami deserves better.
We are not opposed to responsible growth. We are calling for responsible growth that protects the trees that protect us through transparency, accountability, strong enforcement of Chapter 17, meaningful public participation, and a commitment to preservation before removal.
The greenest tree is the one already growing.
Every mature tree we preserve today provides benefits that cannot be replaced for decades. Protecting Miami's tree canopy is not simply about conserving trees, it is about protecting our neighborhoods, strengthening our communities, preserving our quality of life, and ensuring a healthier, cooler, and more resilient city for future generations.
Join us in asking Mayor Eileen Higgins and the City Commission to protect the trees that protect us.
When you send this email, you’re creating direct pressure on City leaders—and they pay attention. A surge of messages can trigger immediate action, including pausing tree removals, strengthening enforcement of Chapter 17, and accelerating long-overdue reforms like establishing the Tree Committee and restoring transparency.
After you send your email, share this campaign with 5 friends.
If each person takes action, we quickly build the collective pressure needed to protect Miami’s trees, hold officials accountable, and drive real change—fast.