Fall 2006 - City of Plantation

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Welcome TO THE SHADE BRIGADE Patrice Sonnelitter, Associate Landscape Architect Shade Brigade meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Developmental Services building Come rain or shine (or hurricane) the City of Plantation will continue to be a tree city. It has been a TREE CITY USA award recipient for the past twenty-six years. Continuing in the tradition, the City has recently formed a tree advocacy group. This group has formally been named the Shade Brigade. Its 30-plus members meet the fourth Thursday evening of each month at 7:30 in the Developmental Services building, located at 401 NW 70th Terrace, in the first floor conference room. The Shade Brigade has been meeting for several months. Activities include educational and hands-on tree advocacy issues, fund raisers and field trips. In March, David McLean, noted horticulturalist and educator, helped the group plant the Florida Wildflower Foundation “Bird, Butterfly and People” garden and refurbish the grounds of the Developmental Services building. The City’s Urban Forester, Keith Shriver, worked with the group advising them on proper tree care and planting. Recent activities include a meeting on butterflies, a field trip to a resident’s wildscape garden and a lecture on Landscape Design. Patrice Sonnelitter, the City’s representative on the group, wants everyone to know, “We are a group of plant and tree enthusiasts that include residents who have far reaching skills, botanical or otherwise. No knowledge of trees is necessary to enjoy learning about them.” If you are interested in joining the group or attending a meeting to see what they’re about, call or e-mail Patrice at 954-797-2639 or psonnelitter@plantation.org. National Wildlife Federation COMMUNITY WILDLIFE HABITAT The City of Plantation is currently pursuing the coveted title of Community Wildlife Habitat from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), an organization that is dedicated to protecting wildlife. This certification will provide the City of Plantation with a method of reaching out to homeowners, schools and businesses, educating them on the importance of water conservation and preservation, while creating a safe habitat for its feathered and four-legged friends. A committee of registered volunteer Wildlife Stewards and City staff will collaborate to certify residential backyards, garner support from government officials, identify partners and research the ecological characteristics of Plantation. This is an exciting effort that will require a comprehensive fiveyear plan and identifiable habitat demonstration sites located within the City of Plantation. The team is already working towards certification, with plans to hold the City’s kick-off event in October at its annual TreeDay! workshop. Wildlife Stewards recently created 4 Plantation Quarterly Fall 2006 a peaceful habitat retreat for citizens and wildlife on the grounds of the Development Services building at 401 NW 73rd Avenue, which will serve as one of the NWF Wildlife Habitat Demonstration sites. Demonstration sites will also be located at the Plantation Preserve and Volunteer Park wetlands areas. What can you do to join in this worthy effort? In the spirit of team cooperation, log on to www.wildlifefederation.org and follow the easy prompts to register your personal property as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. We need a minimum of 200 registered residential properties, as well as five schools and six businesses in order to be granted certification from NWF. Not an easy task by any means, but certainly worth the effort. Preservation and conservation of water resources and the environment is the ultimate mission in the pursuit of this certification, and the importance of citizen participation cannot be emphasized enough! For information call 954-797-2246. CityReceives EMERALD AWARD The Broward County Environmental Protection Department recently selected several local entities – including the City of Plantation – to honor with Emerald Awards. The awards recognize environmentally responsible businesses, homeowners, governments and other groups in Broward County that have displayed exceptional efforts to protect the environment and have incorporated “NatureScape Broward” techniques into their landscaping. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners presented trophies to the winners at a special ceremony held April 25. “These businesses are to be commended for the extraordinary efforts that they have made to protect Broward County’s environment,” said Broward County Mayor Ben Graber. “They are committed to implementing business practices that benefit their own companies and the communities in which they are located. Congratulations to them all.” The City of Plantation received its Emerald Award in the category of Municipality/Government for the Butterfly Garden located at the Development Services Building. Stop by and take a look; it’s located at 401 NW 70th Terrace. More information, including application procedures and guidelines, is available at www.broward.org/environment, or call 954-519-1257.
Art in thePark LOOK WHO’S 40! ART IN THE PARK CELEBRATES ANOTHER MILESTONE For two days late in October, all eyes are on Plantation’s Liberty Tree Park, located on NW 5th Street, as the Plantation Junior Woman’s Club presents Art in the Park. This year, they will be celebrating the event’s “40th birthday.” 130 artists from Florida and around the country gather to participate in this successful, juried fine art show, where a total of $10,000 in prize money is awarded to the participants by independent judges. In addition to a wide variety of art, live music can be heard throughout the event, and children can enjoy crafts, entertainment and activities in the Kids Corner. A variety of food, snacks and beverages is available for purchase, with ample seating under shade trees. Admission is free to this annual event, and there is free tram service from the Fashion Mall, provided by the Plantation Tram. Attendance is estimated at 75,000. Proceeds from the event (raised through sponsorships and food, poster, and t-shirt sales) are returned to the community. Last year alone, over $26,000 was donated to such worthwhile organizations as: Easter Seals of Broward County, Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library, Plantation High School, Plantation Historical Museum and Plantation Parks & Recreation Department. Money was also used to fund scholarships for two Plantation area high school seniors, provide holiday dinners for families in need, and support beautification projects throughout the City, including post-Wilma restoration and beautification at Liberty Tree Park. This year’s event will be held October 28 and 29. For more information, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.plantationjuniorwomansclub.org, or call 954-797-9762. Plantation Quarterly Fall 2006 5
Page 1 and 2: Fall 2006 2007 City Calendars Comin
Page 3: MAYOR Rae Carole Armstrong CITY COU
Page 7 and 8: It Starts IN THE PARK The City of P
Page 9 and 10: Golf ACADEMY PLANTATION PRESERVE GO
Page 11 and 12: Grants andSponsorships GRANTS RECEI
Page 13 and 14: Flood Insurance REQUIREMENTS FOR PL
Page 15 and 16: ChiefOsceola BUST CREATED FOR THE P
Page 17 and 18: Plantation Gateway CONTINUES TO GRO
Page 19: Targeting TECHNOLOGY Wayne Burns, E

Fall 2006 - City of Plantation

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