Educational Field Trip in Haiti 2007, Operation Green Leaves

Miami-based non-profit Operation Green Leaves has been focusing on reforesting Haiti since 1991. When the earthquake struck, Operation Green Leaves sprung into action. OGL Haiti was recently featured on Treehugger.com as a green organization that will need continuing support to help the communities in Haiti, and we were glad to see such global exposure for the organization.

In listening to the special EcoAlert on the Earthquake, Operation Green Leaves radio show on Blog Talk Radio (see player below), she mentions that though it’s great to give donations to large organizations such as Red Cross, however we can’t forget the small organizations who all have their roles to play, and are also in great need of funding.

The following is a message from OGL Haiti’s Executive Director, Nadine Patrice:

Working Around the Clock on Relief Efforts for the People of Haiti

The situation is expected to get worse before we can hope to turn the tide and see major improvement.

We are implementing a model creative plan to get help to where it is desperately needed, and to overcome the obstacles that exist.

We are arranging to get emergency teams into isolated communities such as Jacmel, Archaie and Carrefour in order to establish field centers for communication, operations and delivery of supplies, as soon as that is possible.

Operation Green Leaves is proud to be part of an alliance of people and organizations with a truly outstanding record of service, and very importantly, success in helping Haiti.

• Honorable Paul Novack, former mayor of Surfside, attorney at law and leader of past disaster relief and democracy support projects in Haiti;
• Yves Lafontant, president of the Haitian American Law Enforcement Officers Association
• Max Massac of the Haitian American Engineers and Scientists
• more than 30 partner organizations

OGL appreciates all of the contacts and inquiries coming in about people in the community wanting to help support our efforts, and encourage you to visit our web site at www.oglhaiti.com where you can donate to help support the urgent efforts.

Our toll free phone number is 1-877-85TREES (1-877-858-7337).

Operation Green Leaves is a non-profit 501 (c ) 3 organization since 1991, all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Mail your tax-deductible donation to: Operation Green Leaves Inc., P.O. Box 5254, Coral Gables, Florida 33114

Sincerely,

Nadine C. Patrice
Executive Director
Operation Green Leaves Inc.

A “green” program of the Riverwalk Trust in partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale, Riverwalk Trust Tree Harmony is dedicated to saving trees on privately-owned properties that would otherwise be lost, by transplanting them in the Riverwalk Park and other public spaces. Where once there were unhealthy trees, causing danger for those who played or walked among them or lived within their shelter, are now healthy trees, providing all of the elements they were meant to give us.

Recently 14 trees were taken from the beachfront property where the Yankee Clipper is under construction to become the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel. Within 36 hours they were replanted in Riverwalk Park behind Broward County Courthouse. No easy task!

Related: Sun Sentinel – Riverwalk replants Yankee Clipper trees

Here are the details from the ECOMB site. Check it out for more info and updates. 

Help ECOMB volunteers, the City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, US Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Boucher Brothers, the Surfrider Foundation and many others cleanup the beach section between Government Cut and 15th Street, Miami Beach.

This is a FUN BEACH CLEAN-UP COMPETITION between the beach sections mentioned above. There will be TWO VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP STATIONS and ONE END STATION, where all groups will finally meet, lunch served and TROPHIES and RAFFLE PRIZES awarded.

BIG SWEEP T-Shirts to be provided by the BOUCHER BROTHERS

LET’S KEEP OUR SHORELINE CLEAN … PASS IT ON!!

“YOU’RE AWESOME” PRIZES
.
ALL VOLUNTEERS will be able to participate on the competition as individuals or in groups and each will receive a “YOU’RE AWESOME” raffle ticket towards a variety of prizes.

Beach Package for a Family of Four: Boucher Brothers
Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens – 2 Pases for Four People: FTBG
One Full Moon Kayaking Package for 2: South Beach Kayak
One Double Kayak Rental: South Beach Kayak
Two Surf Paddle Rentals:
Gift Certificates for a Walking Tour of the Art Deco District: MDPL
Snorkeling Lessons
Surfing Lessons
MORE TO BE ADDED SOON!! KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

BECOME A MEMBER OF ECOMB AT THE BIG SWEEP
FOR $25 AND RECEIVE A SECOND FREE RAFFLE TICKET FOR ONE OF THE “YOU’RE AWESOME” PRIZES

BIG SWEEP PERPETUAL TROPHIES

GROUPS will be awarded Big Sweep Perpetual Trophies created by French-native / Miami resident Metal Sculptor Omar Ali (www.artaircraft.com) inspired by waste prevention messages. Trophies will be based on three categories and passed on to future Big Sweep Winners.

KEEP IT CLEAN: Team with the largest number of volunteers
BEACH MASTER: Team that collects the largest amount of cigarette butts
CAN IT: Team that collects the largest amount of general trash / recyclables

WHO WILL YOU CHALLENGE?
It’s up to you!!!!!
_______________________________________________

STATIONS
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Station 1: Volunteer Sign-up – South Pointe Park X Beach
Station 2: Volunteer Sign-up – 15th Street Beach X Ocean Drive
Station 3: End Station – Between 7th and 8th Streets X Ocean
Drive
GRAND FINALE

At the end of the event, all collected litter will be removed from the bags and spread out in two areas: one area for cigarette butts and the other for general litter.

EXPECT A SURPRISE PHOTO-OP!

This will create a powerful photo and educational display for beach goers as to the amount of trash being left on our beaches. The litter will then be re-bagged in trash and/or recycling bags.

LET’S KEEP IT CLEAN … PASS IT ON!