Miami Beach is one of the most urbanized barrier islands in the United States, and hosts more than 6,000,000 visitors every year. As such, the city has a unique opportunity to balance preserving its natural ecosystem with improving the quality of life for its residents and visitors. Our urban environment boasts great natural capital, such as waterways, coastal dunes, natural mangrove shorelines, 26 parks and green spaces, and just over seven miles of white, sandy beaches.
The city is also the nesting habitat for endangered sea turtles, butterflies, and several threatened and endangered plant species including the Biscayne Prickly Ash, Beach Cluster Vine and the Beach Star. The projection and enhancement of our natural resources is closely linked to the preservation of quality of life and the stability of our tourism-based economy.