Set Back for Broward County Canopy Plan

 

Broward County?EUR??,,????'???s plan to increase the tree canopy was made prior to Katrina?EUR??,,????'???s arrival.

While most of the hurricane talk has centered on Katrina, the arrival of Hurricane Wilma on Oct. 24, 2005 hit southern Florida?EUR??,,????'???s Broward County hard, particularly its tree canopy. Before the hurricane, the Broward County environmental committee had set a goal to have 30 percent canopy coverage by 2020. A member of that committee told the Miami Herald that goal is now not possible. Still, the committee is moving forward to revitalize the canopy with native trees: slash pines, bald cypresses, sabal palms, gumbo-limbos and live oaks.

Loss of canopy also affects wildlife. Birds, reptiles and insects rely on trees for food and protection.