Urban Tree Canopy & Development Forum
- Date
- 2024-12-09
- Location
- In person at ICTB Kampong and online 💻 Zoom Link: https://fiu.zoom.us/j/46309433, Miami, FL, USA
- Host
- OpenMiami - Climate Community Calendar to #SaveMiami
About this event
Miami is growing fast, and every new project raises the same hard question: how do we add housing, infrastructure, and economic activity without losing the trees that make neighborhoods cooler, healthier, and more livable? The Urban Tree Canopy & Development Forum is a place to have that conversation directly, with people who care about both the future of the city and the practical realities of development. This forum brings together community members, professionals, and local stakeholders to look closely at how urban tree canopy and development intersect. If you want a more informed, grounded discussion than the usual talking points, this is where you can listen, contribute, and connect. What Is This? The Urban Tree Canopy & Development Forum is an in-person and online gathering focused on the relationship between growth in Miami and the protection, expansion, and management of urban tree canopy. It is designed as a community-centered forum, which means the goal is not just to present ideas, but to create a space where different perspectives can be heard and discussed. Expect a format that supports both learning and exchange. Rather than treating tree canopy and development as separate issues, this event puts them in the same room and asks what better planning, collaboration, and decision-making could look like in practice. Because this is a hybrid event, attendees can participate either in person at ICTB Kampong or online via Zoom. That makes it easier for people with different schedules, mobility needs, or locations to still be part of the conversation. This forum is especially useful for people who want to move beyond general support for sustainability and into more specific conversations about tradeoffs, priorities, and workable approaches in an urban setting. What to Expect You can expect a forum-style experience centered on discussion, shared perspectives, and networking. The evening will likely appeal to people who want substance: not just broad statements about the environment or development, but real conversation about how these issues affect neighborhoods, planning choices, and long-term quality of life. The event format is well suited to a mix of activities such as: Context-setting discussion on urban tree canopy and why it matters in a growing city Community and stakeholder perspectives on development pressures, neighborhood change, and environmental concerns Open conversation or moderated exchange where attendees can engage with the topic more directly Networking time with others who are working on, studying, or personally affected by these issues If you attend in person, you should expect an atmosphere that supports face-to-face conversation and relationship-building. If you attend online, you can still follow the discussion and take part from wherever you are. This is also the kind of event where listening is as valuable as speaking. You may come away with a better understanding of how residents, planners, advocates, and development-minded participants frame the same problem in very different ways. Why Attend Urban tree canopy is not a niche topic. It touches heat, stormwater, air quality, public health, walkability, neighborhood character, and climate resilience. At the same time, development decisions shape where people live, how communities change, and what a city can support over time. This forum matters because it sits right at that intersection. Attending gives you a chance to sharpen your understanding of an issue that is often discussed in fragments. Instead of hearing only the environmental side or only the development side, you will be in a setting that recognizes both and asks how they can be addressed together. You should attend if you want to: Understand the stakes behind urban tree loss, preservation, and planting in a fast-changing city Hear multiple viewpoints rather than a single institutional or professional perspective Build stronger local connections with people engaged in community, planning, advocacy, or development conversations Leave with better questions about policy, design, growth, and neighborhood outcomes Even if you are still forming your opinion, this event offers a useful entry point. It gives you a way to get more informed, meet others who care about the issue, and become better equipped to participate in future civic or professional conversations. Practical Details The forum takes place Monday, December 9 at 6:30 PM EST. It is offered in a hybrid format, so you can choose the attendance option that works best for you. Location options: In person: ICTB Kampong, Miami, USA Online: Zoom Zoom link: https://fiu.zoom.us/j/46309433 If you plan to attend in person, expect an evening community forum environment with opportunities for live interaction and networking. If you plan to join online, it is a good idea to log in a few minutes early so you can settle in and be ready when the conversation starts. This event is a strong fit for people interested in community issues, networking, sustainability, local development, and civic dialogue. Whether you are coming to learn, contribute, or meet others working in the same space, you will be stepping into a timely conversation with real relevance for Miami.
Who should attend
This forum is for you if you care about how Miami grows and want a smarter, more connected conversation about trees, neighborhoods, and development. - **You work in planning, design, development, landscape, sustainability, or related fields** and want to better understand how urban tree canopy fits into real project and policy decisions. - **You are a community member or neighborhood advocate** who has seen change happen quickly and wants to be part of discussions about livability, shade, heat, and the long-term character of local areas. - **You are involved in environmental or civic work** and want to connect tree canopy issues to broader conversations about resilience, public health, and urban growth. - **You are a student, researcher, or educator** looking for a grounded local conversation that links big urban questions to on-the-ground realities in Miami. - **You want thoughtful networking, not just passive attendance** and would value meeting people from different backgrounds who are all invested in the future of the city. - **You are still learning about the issue** but want a clear, accessible way into the topic without needing to already be an expert.