Cities Partner to Build Habitat & Resilience

Back in 2020, the Cities of Hallandale Beach and Hollywood partnered and planned to host an in-person "Ocean Day" event with vendors, panel discussions, a plant giveaway, and free shredding. When COVID started to impact our community, we canceled the event to protect public health. Starting in January of 2021, we transitioned this in-person event to a successful series of webinars ending in a drive-through native plant giveaway.  

This past Saturday we held the native plant giveaway for the residents of the two cities, closing out the Ocean Day 2021 event. Residents went home with 2 salt-tolerant native plants and a goodie bag containing literature about environmental efforts in both cities, information on our Florida offshore coral reef, and items to help curb our personal single-use plastic consumption.

If you'd like to watch the Ocean Day webinars you can view them here:

• coral reefs
  
• marine wildlife 
  
• low nutrient landscaping.

We are grateful to our Ocean Day partners including Friends of Our Florida Reefs, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Broward County, Sierra Club of Broward. 

Broward County Water Matters Day Month 2021

In 2021 the City of Hallandale Beach and Broward County are celebrating Water Matters Day the entire month of March, instead of just one day as we have done for the past 18 years.

This year’s theme is “Water Matters – Broward Cares” which is more than just about water conservation. During our four themed weeks residents, students, and other visitors to our virtual event will learn about water conservation, our coast and ocean, Naturescape landscaping, and climate change. Check out our Story Map and participate in the Water Matters Day Scavenger Hunt, workshops, demonstrations, recognitions, and win prizes. 

What do you want our future to look like?

45% by 2030, that’s the goal. How would you like us to get there? We will only know if you tell us. Share your thoughts, concerns, and priorities with us – there are no bad ideas. We’re still gathering your input on actions and details before we put together the first draft. If you need some inspiration, we recommend taking a look at Project Drawdown. Get engaged on www.haveyoursayhallandale.org between now and May to ensure your ideas make it in our first Climate Action Plan!

Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Sea Turtle Nesting Season started on March 1 in Broward County. Today we got reports of the first leatherback sea turtle nest in the County on the beaches of Fort Lauderdale. Leatherback turtles are traditionally the first to nest in our area. During Sea Turtle Season there are many things you can to do support these endangered animals:

• Keep the beach dark. Shield or turn off any lights that can be seen onto the beach. This includes interior lights from buildings on the barrier island, as well as outdoor lighting.
• Keep beaches clear of marine debris or trash that a sea turtle could get entangled in or eat.
• Remember that plastic bags, plastic straws, balloons, and Styrofoam of any kind are not allowed on beaches within City limits.
• Fill in any holes and knock over sandcastles when you leave the beach. These can be obstacles for nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings.
• If you see a dead, sick, or injured sea turtle or hatchling(s) in Broward County call 954-328-0580.
• Realize that sea turtles are endangered species and that even touching them without the proper permits could be considered against the Endangered Species Act. When in doubt, call the Broward Sea Turtle Conservation Program at 954-328-0580.
• Be patient with us regarding sargassum seaweed management. Our equipment is not allowed on the beach until the daily sea turtle surveys have been completed during sea turtle nesting season. This may result in delays in us getting the beach tractor on the beach.
• Reduce your personal plastic consumption and waste. We use plastic for seconds, but it takes thousands of years for it to break down. 

Sustainability & Flood Mitigation Advisory Board

We’re holding our first Sustainability & Flood Mitigation Advisory Board meeting on March 16 from 5-6 pm. All are welcome to join the meeting and participate. 

If you’d like to join the Board, we still have 2 open spaces! Apply today!

Get in touch or involved with Green Initiatives

If you're interested in learning more about Green Initiatives or if you want to get more involved, please reach out to our Green Initiatives Coordinator Alyssa Jones Wood at ajoneswood@cohb.org and visit cohb.org/green.