CITIZENS is a private, 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-advocacy environmental education organization incorporated in January of 1989. The foundation of the organization is environmental education outreach through community engagement events that focus on urban environmental issues, water conservation and youth leadership in Miami-Dade County. CITIZENS has been providing these services in English and Sp
anish to educational and community groups of all ages for 27 years. CITIZENS has a particular historical impact with local Hispanic and African-American populations. CITIZENS is unique with its diverse staff, board and interns that works alongside Miami-Dade County to educate and empower economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, to help restore the urban forest focusing on tree canopy development and maintenance. Although CITIZENS’ programs are designed for individuals of all ages, our main goal is identifying minority groups in low socioeconomic neighborhoods where many children have been recognized as ‘at risk youth’ and catering to their communities. Through instilling local communities with an awareness of preservation and protection of their surrounding natural environment and resources, CITIZENS believes they can facilitate necessary positive changes in community activities regarding the natural environment in light of future and current stresses due to climate change. CITIZENS envisions a South Florida where people preserve and protect the environment because they understand the connection between their actions and consequent impacts in their neighborhood as well as local and global communities.
