Thrive305 > Priorities & Actions > Priority 7 > Action 1

7.1: Expand youth work program to focus on conservation and urban greening

Issue Statement and Context

One of the biggest questions facing our County is: Can our resilience challenges be opportunities to expand prosperity through green and blue jobs? In order to make our County resilient in every sense, including our economy, we must identify opportunities to accelerate resilience actions that strengthen economic mobility pathways for underinvested communities, in particular.

The County has a strong foundation for creating economic opportunity for young people in the emerging resilience economy. The Miami-Dade County Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS), in collaboration with the Juvenile Services Department, among others, offers the Fit2Lead program, an evidence-based, nationally recognized, award-winning parks program for 15–19-year-olds designed to provide opportunities to achieve academic excellence, develop leadership abilities, be inspired to attend college, learn a trade, and pursue careers. A study conducted in 2017 found a 31% reduction in the number of juvenile arrests in ZIP codes where Fit2Lead was offered as compared to ZIP codes where the program was not offered (even when other factors were identified and controlled for).
Kids planting.
Youth tree planting event

Detailed Action Summary

Expand the Fit2Lead workforce development program around urban greening and accelerate tree planting, preservation, and promotion.

  • Expand Fit2Lead to include vocational training that can lead to jobs in conservation.
  • Expand youth and community-based outreach of Adopt-a-Tree and Million Trees Miami initiatives.
  • Explore potential community partnerships around Fit2Lead. One area of need is to assist lower income, elderly, and/or disabled residents with access to shade and fruit trees. Adopt-a-Tree has partnered with community-based organizations (CBO) in the past. This could be expanded through grants provided by the tree trust fund. The County Environmental Education CBO program could be restarted with a focus on youth-oriented jobs, resident education about proper tree care, and identification of property owners willing to welcome new trees. Youth would be trained to provide the education and outreach as well as assist with proper planting techniques.
  • Partner with nonprofits on tree conservation, planting education, and outreach efforts. The Greater Miami Service Corps could also be invited to provide expanded assistance on tree planting and outreach services.
  • Identify federal funding for a "civilian conservation corps." This is the right time to initiate the design of a green jobs program that can go along with the County’s goals for greening by 2030.
  • Launch this program alongside a marketing and education effort around what a "green job" is and what career opportunities there are throughout the County.