Sam Van Leer

Words by Kylie Kertesz

Miami, FL – August 28, 2014 – Amidst the native mangroves, flourishing natural habitats, and cherished ocean reefs lies a vast problem that is unbeknownst to the majority of South Florida’s residents, the lack of effort to maintain it. This issue sparked an idea that would soon become a lifelong journey for Sam Van Leer, founder of the non-profit organization, Urban Paradise Guild.

Between growing up in, on and around South Biscayne Bay and having a father who is a Physical Oceanography Professor and Researcher, exploring the thriving oasis of Miami was clearly in Van Leer’s blood from an early age. After a twenty-year long career working in Information Management, Van Leer felt the urge get back in touch with his outdoorsy roots and began a two-year intensive kayak exploration of north Biscayne Bay. It was this course that eventually led him to discover something tragic happening right in front of his eyes; the results of 100 years of abuse and neglect that had rendered vast areas of the Bay, a nearly sterile shadow of the wonderland that it once was. He also recognized how small the Habitat Restoration projects had major impacts on the Bay’s health and on wildlife.

Throughout all of the devastation was an area that provided Van Leer with a bit of hope, an isolated oasis of nature here and there, showing what could be. Immersing himself in the Bay and its problems during hours of contemplative paddling provoked Van Leer to think, “somebody should do something about this” and “why isn’t government doing more?” As those thoughts continued to run through Van Leer’s mind, he realized that something had to be done and there had to be a better way to solve these issues.

Sam Van Leer

Urban Paradise Guild takes on projects that create lasting change, not just Band-Aids

Sam Van Leer

 

While out on the Bay one day, it all seemed to come together for Van Leer, “There is no such thing as an environmental problem, there are only environmental symptoms of human problems.” This prompted him to head straight to the source and meet with government officials who were actively working on environmental protection and habitat restoration. Van Leer then gathered an array of information regarding current efforts so he could identify the gaps in the system and in turn figure out a practical solution that would properly suit this dire situation.

The lack of work and lasting impacts were amongst Van Leer’s largest concerns. He realized that most projects typically just put a “Band-Aid” over the issue rather than follow through entirely. Other rifts in the system included an unapproachable government, disengagement of the population as well as a lack of general awareness concerning the coming sea-level changes and the repercussions. With these findings he quickly began to brainstorm solutions to help alleviate the multitude of problems. These solutions would soon be the overall unifying principals that make up Urban Paradise Guild (UPG), a non-profit organization that brings natural habitats back to the places where we live. UPG’s mission is to re-create native habitats in the Urban areas of Miami-Dade County as well as to promote sustainable models for healthy living that safeguard, enhance, and integrate the human and natural worlds for the benefit of both.

Urban Paradise Guild’s unconditional efforts would not be complete without the immense support of close partnerships and the unwavering help of volunteers. As UPG consistently stresses, without the awareness and help of everyone in the community, the problem will still remain at large. The most substantial way one can support this crucial matter is by not only becoming educated but more importantly, getting involved. When it comes to UPG’s standards, you are never too young or old to lend a helping hand. “Our youngest volunteer was 15 months old and our most senior was 108 years young,” explains Van Leer. Although there are a few UPG partners that have specific volunteer requirements, UPG does an outstanding job of accommodating everyone and anyone who is willing to assist. Fortunately through the incredible efforts and the word of mouth, UPG’s partnerships are growing faster than ever.

Organizations that have actively joined in on the movement include Miami-Dade College and Barry University; county, state and municipal agencies such as Miami-Dade County Parks, DERM, Vizcaya, Florida State Parks/DEP, City of North Miami; community development corps including Haitian-American CDC, Neighborhood Housing Solutions of South Florida, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as other community-based groups including Amelia Mountain Bike Club, ACENA – Arch Creek East Neighborhood Assn., and M-Path Park.

Expect to catch Van Leer and his motley crew of volunteers planting in spaces everywhere and anywhere that has the potential to support growth. Although it is great that acts such as tree planting have become increasingly popular, what many don’t understand is that protecting a Habitat requires a long-term commitment. It takes a deep understanding of the location, a strategic approach, and a sustained effort to create a lasting change. In order to have a lasting impact, UPG practices location adoption. UPG focuses on getting to know the geographical area, which is usually a park or a neighborhood. What sets UPG apart from any other habitat restoration organization is that they take the time to understand its potential, its needs, its assets and its stakeholders. With their holistic understanding, a strategic approach becomes possible. UPG creates an overall strategy for where they choose to plant, along with a series of campaigns to grab the ears of community members.

One may think that this is a lot to take on for UPG alone, but fortunately they have received two grants from the Florida Forest Service, which has provided the organization with most of their tools as well as wells and nurseries at the garden center. Funds are limited, so UPG makes sure to use their resources creatively for the maximum impact. UPG is always looking to do more and expand, so any donations are welcomed for those who feel compelled to contribute. At this time the organization is in desperate need of a new work truck or SUV, a crucial element in service project transportation.  To help UPG get back on the road so they can continue to keep the efforts alive, please click here to donate.

Sam Van Leer certainly does not do all of this for the better of himself, his goal is to protect the area which we all know and love. What could be worse than knowing that years down the road the place we now call home is deteriorating into a paradise that once was. It doesn’t take a researcher or scientist to understand that the problem South Florida is currently facing is extremely critical. If you live in or close to the area you can see that the landscape is constantly being manipulated for new construction.

The urban areas we live in can become paradise again. The land will repay us with a bounty of human health along with recreational and economic opportunity. The habitat we create is an investment in the places we live – and much more. The benefits of Urban-grown food go far beyond taste and nutrition for the consumer. It fights climate change directly in two critical ways: minimal Transportation, and most importantly (when grown organically), it stops the pollution caused by chemical farming. Embracing change is good business policy; it protects our future and creates high-tech jobs. Cutting pollution saves billions in healthcare costs from respiratory illness. Miami can become the strongest go-to source for green technology. Miami already hosts regional offices for major multinational corporations and this will grow, if we invest.

If Miami can exert leadership to help shift the Americas to become a powerhouse for sustainability, this will have an impact on a geo-political level. It can help shift national policies in the United States, and all over the Americas. When the Americas join with other sustainable leadership regions such as the European Union, we will be an essential part of a global shift to tackle a global problem. If we can change fast enough, and wield strong leadership, perhaps we can save Miami from drowning.

South Florida is more at risk than any metropolitan area on the Earth due to the combined effects of hurricanes and sea-level rise. Failure is not an option for Miami-Dade. There are a thousand ways to enjoy South Florida’s environment and a thousand reasons to take care of it.

UPG at TEDxYouth on April 10, 2014

Sam Van Leer gave a presentation at the Gulliver Preparatory Student Union in Pinecrest, Florida regarding the threat of sea level rise in South Florida and Miami and how UPG is working to minimize that threat.

There is no such thing as an environmental problem, there are only environmental symptoms of human problems.

Sam Van Leer

 

UPG at Miami Design Charrette at The Light Box on June 21, 2014

The Tropical Audubon Society and like-minded partners hosted the Miami Design Charrette at the Light Box in Wynwood. The Charrette invited Miamians to shape a vision for sustainable growth and to discuss strategies to cope with the imminent threats of our time: rising seas, diminishing resources and an increasing population.

Sam Van Leer

UPG Urban Habitat at Wood Tavern on February 14, 2014

UPG volunteers spent the afternoon at the vacant curbside tree planters where they dug out dirt filled with glass and trash and planted all the native plants that help bring back endangered butterfly species. UPG plants butterfly micro-habitats to extend their pollination corridor further north. The plan is to plant wildflowers and larval foods in the street tree planters (where there is space for them).

Sam Van Leer

It takes a deep understanding of the place, a strategic approach, and a sustained effort to create lasting change.

Sam Van Leer

 

Sam Van Leer

UPG Earth Day in Wynwood at David Castillo Gallery on April 22, 2014

Through the partnership that UPG has with Wynwood, the group spent the day adding to the butterfly restoration corridor that they are building in Wynwood. It was a great way to celebrate Earth Day outside of the David Castillo Gallery.

UPG & Surfrider Hands Across The Sand Miami Beach on May 17, 2014

UPG and Surfrider South Florida got together to protest offshore oil drilling, the KXL oil pipeline and dirty energy. Volunteers and beach goers came together to create an approximately 200 person continuous chain down the shoreline to stand against dirty oil and say yes to clean energy.

Sam Van Leer

If we can change fast enough, and wield strong leadership, perhaps we can save Miami from drowning.

Sam Van Leer

 

Visit Urban Paradise Guild’s Facebook page to learn more and get involved.