The Miami HEAT hosted its 7th Annual HEAT Beach Sweep at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne. In conjunction with NBA Green, this year’s efforts highlighted the HEAT’s commitment to generating awareness for the protection and sustainability of the environment throughout our community. HEAT Legends and volunteers from The HEAT Group, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, MassMutual Financial Group Miami, the Florida International University School of Environment, Arts and Society and Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces completed a variety of activities including:
* Setting aside a protected area of beach for shore and sea birds by measuring, staking and stringing rope for the selected area.
* Preparing Sea Turtle stakes to be used to protect nesting sites to help Crandon Park biologists to prepare for the upcoming nesting season (March-October).
* Planting native coastal plant species such as Railroad Vine and Sea Oats in order to help stabilize the dunes on the beach and for the prevention of beach erosion.
* Removal of invasive species from the coastal dune ecosystem through trimming of branches and removal of root systems, to preserve and restore the native dune plants along the beach.
* Creating a butterfly garden that will provide additional native habitat for local and migrating butterflies.
* Assembly of two HEAT-themed, 100% maintenance free, vinyl picnic tables that will remain on site.
* Shoreline cleanup of trash and marine debris along the beach and coastal dune areas.