Welcome to this year’s Fairchild Challenge, where we’re turning up the cool factor in South Florida!

Imagine walking down a South Florida street on a hot summer day. Now picture that same street lined with lush trees, their leaves providing a refreshing canopy of shade. Rooftops covered in gardens, balconies bursting with flowers, and parks filled with native plants that thrive in our climate. This isn’t just a dream – it’s the future we’re working towards!

Our theme this year is “Miami: A City in a Garden,” and we’re focusing on how we can use the power of plants to make our home a more comfortable place to live and work. We’re facing rising temperatures, but instead of wilting under the heat, we’re rising to the challenge with creativity and green solutions.

Did you know Miami was recently recognized as the top Urban Heat Island in the US? Urban heat islands are cities that get hotter than surrounding rural areas because their urban infrastructure like roads and buildings absorb heat. Miami’s top standing might sound like a bummer, but we see it as an opportunity to show the world how a city can transform itself. We’re not just talking about planting a few trees here and there – we’re reimagining our entire urban landscape!

Throughout this year’s challenge, we’ll explore how plants can be our allies in cooling down our city. We’ll discover how green spaces can lower temperatures, save energy, and make our neighborhoods more livable. From schoolyards to city squares, from balconies to boulevards, we’ll be looking at ways to bring more nature into urban spaces.

This is our chance to shape the future of South Florida. By the end of this challenge, you’ll see your city in a whole new light – or should we say, in a whole new shade? Get ready to unleash your creativity, tap into your inner environmentalist, and help make Miami the coolest city around – in every sense of the word!

Let’s grow together and show the world how Miami can bloom into a true City in a Garden!