Connect with us

Miami, FL

Surfrider Foundation leads effort to revive Miami’s dunes, fight erosion

Published

on

Surfrider Foundation leads effort to revive Miami’s dunes, fight erosion


MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — The Surfrider Foundation’s Miami chapter is rolling up its sleeves to restore the city’s coastal dunes — pulling weeds, planting native vegetation and protecting the shoreline from erosion.

Chapter chair Mike Gibaldi said the group has been focused on removing scaevola, an invasive shrub native to Hawaii that has crowded out Florida’s native beach plants for years.

“It takes over the other plants and you end up with a monoculture,” Gibaldi said. “The dune is not as diverse and healthy.”

The Surfrider Foundation’s work was highlighted in its 2025 State of the Beach Report, which recognized Miami for partnering with the organization to improve dune health and resilience.

Advertisement

According to the report, Miami’s beaches drew 28 million visitors last year and generated $22 billion for the local economy.

Gibaldi said restoring the dunes isn’t just about preserving nature — it’s about protecting the community.

“When you have a healthy dune, whether you have a storm surge or hurricanes, it’s holding the beach and protecting upland property from storm surge,” he said.

Since 2006, the group has restored more than 10 acres of coastal dunes and planted over 3,000 native plants, including sea oats and beach creeper.

On Mid-Beach near 35th Street, Gibaldi pointed out the group’s progress.

Advertisement

“We planted natives,” he said. “We didn’t plant the sea grapes that were here, but this is beach creeper — we planted only a couple of these, and it’s taken off. It’s done very well.”

Gibaldi said the ongoing effort is helping Miami Beach’s dunes return to what a “good dune” should look like — healthy, diverse and able to withstand whatever nature brings.

Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.



Source link

Advertisement

Miami, FL

Braxton Berrios, Bethenny Frankel and more stars hit Gaia Miami’s opening

Published

on

Braxton Berrios, Bethenny Frankel and more stars hit Gaia Miami’s opening


Dubai has landed in Miami.

Fundamental Hospitality — the UAE-born powerhouse behind hot spots like Shanghai Me, Alaya, and La Maison Ani — quietly previewed its first US outpost in Miami this weekend.

Stars like Bethenny Frankel, Braxton Berrios and Larsa Pippen attended the four-night preview of Gaia Miami last Thursday to Sunday, a source told Page Six.

Gaia’s Miami outpost (pictured) opened with a starry showing last week. World Red Eye
The Mediterranean (pictured) was opened by Fundamental Hospitality. World Red Eye

We’re told partners Evgeny Kuzin and Izu Ani “rolled out the red carpet” for a handpicked group of the coastal-Floridian city’s most influential names for a first look ahead of the official opening later this week.

Advertisement

To kick things off, the Mayor of Miami Beach, Steven Meiner, led a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Inside, the scene leaned more private members club than restaurant preview,” the source said.

We’re told couples Kevin and Kate Love and David Lee and Caroline Wozniacki dined alongside NBA icon Pat Riley and NFL standout Jon Vilma.

Bethenny Frankel (seen here) attended the opening and called it the best restaurant in Miami.
Braxton Berrios (second from the right) attended the opening with friends. World Red Eye
Larsa Pippen posed for a photo with Jonathan “Foodgod” Cheben. World Red Eye

Claire Holt was seen arriving with her fiancé, developer Andrew Joblon, alongside real estate bigwig Alex Witkoff.

Housewives spotted dining throughout the soft launch included Bethenny Frankel, Kiki Barth, Alexia Nepola and Pippen — who wore an eye-catching gold dress for the occasion.

Advertisement

Frankel even took to Instagram to give a rave review for the restaurant, calling it “the best restaurant in Miami.”

The starry guest list included developer Jorge Perez, Major Food Group co-founders Jeff Zalaznick and Mario Carbone, nightlife mainstay Chris Paciello, branding mogul Steve Stoute and architect Kobi Karp.

Influencer Jonathan “Foodgod” Cheban also dined there and took to social media to share his experience at the new eatery, writing in the caption, “Good luck getting in.”

Kevin and Kate Love dined alongside Mario Carbone (pictured above). World Red Eye
Alexia Nepola hit the hotspot with her husband, Todd. World Red Eye
Cheben (seen here at Gaia Miami) also posted about his experience. World Red Eye

Some of the city’s biggest business heavyweights were also in tow, including Dave Grutman and his wife Isabela, and Pura Vida founders Omer and Jennifer Horev.

The menu includes fresh Mediterranean dishes like tuna with truffle, tuna tartar with caviar, watermelon salad, Greek salad, baked feta cheese, Greek-style meatballs and lobster pasta.

Advertisement

As for desserts, patrons can indulge in fried Greek doughnuts, Gia cheesecake, filo mille feuilles, coconut cake, the “Dirty Cookie” with toasted hazelnut, pralines and tahiti vanilla ice cream.





Source link

Continue Reading

Miami, FL

Highway 41 fire burns thousands of acres, threatens structures in west Miami-Dade

Published

on

Highway 41 fire burns thousands of acres, threatens structures in west Miami-Dade


A wildfire is still burning in the Everglades Wednesday as firefighters work to control the flames threatening structures in western Miami-Dade.

The Highway 41 fire, named for its proximity to U.S. 41, has grown to 5,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Tuesday night, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It broke out at around 5 p.m. Monday.

Eight structures were threatened by the fire, but no evacuation orders were issued and no injuries have been reported, officials said.

The fire is burning further from Tamiami Trail than it was Tuesday, but drivers headed west from Miami will be able to see flames west of the Miccosukee Resort and Casino and Krome Avenue. The roadway remains open.

Advertisement

Fire response

The U.S. Forest Service reports that 48 personnel have been assigned to the blaze, along with five fire engines, four helicopters, and two fixed-wing aircraft. Officials said Tuesday that at least one USDA Forest Service engine from Arkansas supported the initial suppression efforts.

Crews were seen fighting the fire by air, making multiple runs to dump water onto the flames.

Firefighting efforts have cost approximately $750,000 so far.

The cause of the blaze remains undetermined.

Will I see smoke from the Highway 41 fire?

Northeast winds are keeping the smoke away from highly populated areas—for now.

Advertisement

“However, winds are changing here over the next day to two, and that could move the smoke around,” NBC6 meteorologist Adam Berg said.

By Thursday morning, more smoke may be blown east.

The National Weather Service advises residents to:

  • exercise caution while driving if smoke reduces visibility
  • monitor local air quality
  • if sensitive to particle pollution, reduce time outdoors



Source link

Continue Reading

Miami, FL

2 more Miami Beach Commissioners endorse Vicki Lopez for Miami-Dade Commission

Published

on

2 more Miami Beach Commissioners endorse Vicki Lopez for Miami-Dade Commission


Miami-Dade County Commissioner Vicki Lopez’s campaign to keep her District 5 seat now has support from a majority of the Miami Beach Commission.

This week, Lopez’s campaign announced endorsements from City Commissioners Laura Dominguez and Monica Matteo-Salinas.

They join two other Miami Beach officials — Commissioners Tanya Katzoff Bhatt and Alex Fernandez — backing Lopez.

Dominguez, who handily won re-election alongside Fernandez in early November, called Lopez “a proven partner for Miami Beach who understands what our residents need.”

Advertisement

She cited Lopez’s work as a state lawmaker on condo safety and “real solutions on housing.”

“Vicki is thoughtful, collaborative, and knows how to turn priorities into action,” she said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work together to keep Miami Beach safe, resilient, and strong.”

Matteo-Salinas, a former City Hall aide who won her seat in December with 71% of the vote, said Lopez has earned the trust of her constituents “not with words, but with action.”

“Vicki shows up prepared, principled, and genuinely committed to getting it right. She doesn’t lead for the headlines. She leads for the people,” she said in a statement.

“She has been a true partner to our city by being accessible, collaborative, and never too busy to pick up the phone when our residents need answers. Vicki Lopez is the kind of leader our community deserves: experienced, accountable, and deeply rooted in the values that make this county a place we’re proud to call home. I am proud to support her campaign to continue to lead as our county commissioner.”

Advertisement

Lopez, in a statement, expressed gratitude for “the support of leaders who are working every day to serve Miami Beach residents.”

“Our partnership with municipal leaders is essential to tackling the issues that matter most — from housing and safety to infrastructure and quality of life,” she said. “I look forward to continuing that work together.”

Lopez, who was appointed by her County Commission peers last year, raised nearly $589,000 last quarter, far outpacing her lone challenger, Florida Highway Patrol trooper and former Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez.

Both Lopez and Sanchez are Republicans. Bhatt, Domiguez, Fernandez and Matteo-Salinas are all Democrats.

District 5 includes the cities of Miami and Miami Beach.

Advertisement

All County Commission candidates will be on the Aug. 18 Primary ballot, as those races and others in the county are technically nonpartisan.

If no candidate in a given contest receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will compete in a Nov. 3 runoff.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending