The Miami HEAT took its green initiatives to the Florida Everglades by hosting the HEAT Glades Sweep presented by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. This year’s green efforts highlighted the HEAT’s commitment to generating awareness for the protection and sustainability of the environment throughout our community. HEAT Glades Sweep aimed to improve the Florida Everglades ecosystem and help bring awareness to the importance of its restoration.
HEAT Players, Rodney McGruder and Willie Reed, HEAT Legend, Alonzo Mourning, and HEAT Front Office staff worked together with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Florida International University School of Environment, Arts and Education to complete a variety of activities, which included:
- Planting native Hardwood Hammock plants that are Everglades appropriate, including a butterfly garden that will host native and nectar plants for butterflies, bees and birds within the Miccosukee Indian Village.
- “Citizen Science” station that included testing water samples and surveying species of plants and animals. The collected data will be later used by Miccosukee and FIU researchers to better monitor the health of the area
- Assembly of three HEAT-themed, 100% maintenance free, vinyl picnic tables that will remain on the Miccosukee Indian Village.