Citrix Global Day of Impact- Snyder Park

This year I had the wonderful opportunity of working alongside the Citrix volunteers for Global Day of Impact on December 8, 2017. Together we helped clear brush, remove exotic/invasive plants, structurally prune trees, collect hurricane debris and reestablish overgrown trails within the Citrix Food Forest at Snyder Park. The food forest serves as an educational tool and unique meditation space filled with edible/Florida native tree and shrub species. Future volunteer days will help increase the size of the food forest and continue to improve the experience for city neighbors and park visitors. For additional information about the Kids Ecology Corps and Citrix Global Day of Impact please visit the following web links:

https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2016/04/05/citrix-traditions-global-day-of-impact/

http://www.kidsecologycorps.org/ 

Fort Lauderdale's Historic Bicentennial Liberty Live Oak Tree

I recently uncovered a trove of historical information and photographs documenting the relocation of the City's Bicentennial Live Oak tree. The tree was already over 200 years old when it was selected for preservation/relocation by then Fort Lauderdale City Mayor E Clay Shaw and successfully relocated on September 8, 1976. The tree was originally located near the Broward Courthouse before being moved adjacent to the river walk area of Bubier Park/Huizenga Plaza. This tree relocation had many moving parts and required coordination from multiple parties including the Florida Forest Service, FPL, City of Fort Lauderdale, Eller Company, Powell Brothers and Koch Towing Company. The tree was rededicated in 2001 and renamed the Bicentennial Liberty Live Oak tree in memorial of September 11, 2001. Today the tree is approaching 250 years of age and is still doing fairly well at its present location; with some necessary tree pruning, cabling/bracing, insect treatment, root zone remediation and soil sampling completed as of late December 2017. All of the upcoming work will help ensure that the tree continues to thrive and provide shade/enjoyment for City neighbors/visitors for many years to come.