Pinecrest Secures $400k USDA Grant for Everglades Earth Cycle Project

Published on February 28, 2025

A groundbreaking initiative is taking root in Pinecrest, promising to transform the way communities think about waste and environmental stewardship. The "Everglades Earth Cycle," a collaborative effort between the Village, Fertile Earth Worm Farm, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, The Love The Everglades Movement, and Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado's Office, is more than just a composting program—it's a vision for a sustainable future.

The Village of Pinecrest is proud to announce the Everglades Earth Cycle Project, an ambitious initiative funded by a $400,000 USDA grant secured in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, along with a $40,000 grant from the office of Commissioner Regalado, $20,000 from the Village of Pinecrest and a $40,000 donation from community partners including Fertile Earth Worm Farm. This project builds on the success of Pinecrest’s pioneering composting program and partners with the Miccosukee Tribe to restore critical Everglades ecosystems.

Everglades Earth Cycle, a collaboration between the Village, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Dr. Lanette Sobel, Founder of Fertile Earth Worm Farm, and The Love The Everglades Movement, will convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, strengthening the soil in the Everglades—one of the world’s most vital carbon sinks and a key natural defense against climate change.

"The Village of Pinecrest is honored and proud to partner with the Miccosukee tribe on this first-of-its-kind environmental project," said Mayor Joseph M. Corradino. "We look forward to collaborating on this innovative initiative that will not only benefit our community but also play a vital role in preserving the Everglades."

Rev. Houston R. Cypress of Love the Everglades Movement remarked, “The Everglades Earth Cycle exemplifies what is possible when communities work together with a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and resilience. Love The Everglades Movement is dedicated to restoring and protecting the Greater Everglades in a way that respects Indigenous knowledge and contemporary scientific advances, supports ecological balance, and ensures long-term sustainability. This partnership with the Village of Pinecrest is about more than composting; it’s about restoring the land, strengthening our connection to the natural world, and creating a cycle of renewal that benefits both the environment and the lives that depend on it. By keeping food waste out of landfills and returning nutrients to the Greater Everglades, we’re taking meaningful steps toward a healthier future for both ecosystems and communities.”

This initiative builds on Pinecrest’s free residential composting program, the first in Miami-Dade County. The Miccosukee Tribe will use the compost generated through the project to rejuvenate soil in the Everglades. The Everglades Earth Cycle addresses environmental challenges like soil degradation, nutrient runoff, and climate resilience. This effort is particularly crucial for South Florida, where water quality and ecosystem health directly impact residents and the regional environment, and during a time when Miami-Dade County grapples with its waste management crisis, as landfills reach capacity and development pressures mount.

Pinecrest’s Composting Program: Setting the Stage for the Everglades Earth Cycle
Pinecrest’s composting program has diverted over 90,,000 pounds of food waste, the equivalent of twelve Land Rovers, from landfills in just one year. The program has benefited the community and also set the foundation for transformative projects like the Everglades Earth Cycle.

Vice Mayor Shannon del Prado, who spearheaded the composting effort, emphasized the importance of listening to the community, stating, "A resident approached me with a compelling proposal for community composting. The Village Council acted. Just over a year later, we've composted 90,000 pounds of waste, diverting it from landfills. This is what local government is about–listening to people and finding practical improvements to enhance the quality of life in Pinecrest.”

Flowers to the Rescue: Broader Sustainability Innovations in Pinecrest
The Everglades Earth Cycle Project is part of Pinecrest’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, which includes innovative initiatives like the Floating Flower Islands pilot program. Launched in February 2025, the program will install 500-square-foot floating platforms in local canals to filter pollutants, improve water quality, and reduce invasive hydrilla growth. Each platform will feature plants that remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants from the water while creating striking floral displays. Harvested flowers will be sold at the Pinecrest Farmers Market, engaging the community and reinforcing the connection between sustainability and local action.

Pinecrest’s commitment to environmental leadership also includes:

One of the largest urban tree canopies in Miami-Dade County, with over 10,000 trees planted.
Florida’s first free municipal electric vehicle fast-charging station.
Measures requiring native plants in public spaces and banning harmful fertilizers to protect Biscayne Bay.

Community Engagement Opportunities
To further its sustainability efforts, Pinecrest will host a free Composting 101 workshop this spring. The workshop will teach residents how to compost at home and highlight the role of the Everglades Earth Cycle Project in regional restoration. Details on registration will be announced soon.

Residents are encouraged to continue participating in Pinecrest’s composting program, which offers free bins every Sunday at the Pinecrest Farmers Market. Food scraps can also be dropped off at bins near Pinecrest Gardens and the Community Center, with plans for additional drop-off locations this year.

Love the Everglades invites municipalities across South Florida to learn how to get community education sessions in their local areas and explore how to launch their own composting programs by reaching out to circle@lovetheeverglades.org.

About the Village of Pinecrest
|The Village of Pinecrest, a picturesque suburban community nestled in Miami-Dade County, is designated as a Tree City USA and is renowned for its low crime rate, extensive municipal services, exemplary schools, vibrant community center, robust parks and recreation programs and the historic Pinecrest Gardens. As the first U.S. municipality to implement the World Happiness Foundation’s Cities of Happiness Initiative, Pinecrest is dedicated to promoting well-being and fostering a sense of connection and joy among its residents. Earning a proud position atop Niche's list of the 25 best places to live in South Florida, Pinecrest is home to approximately 18,500 residents who enjoy a high-quality life amidst its lush, scenic neighborhoods. Since its incorporation in 1996, the Village, operating under the Council-Manager form of government, has displayed a steadfast commitment to fostering a thriving, dynamic community. For additional information, please visit www.pinecrest-fl.gov.