Issue 62 | June 2024

Sunrise Good and Green News & Updates

Be Prepared for Rainy Season

South Florida's rainy season officially begins on May 15 and ends on October 15, and is when 60-70% of the State's yearly rainfall occurs. Did you know we get an average of 54" of rain each year in our area? Learn about flood zones and hazards, and how to protect yourself.

Flood Protection & Preparedness

"Protecting Our Pollinators" at Dan Pearl Library

Join the Good and Green team on Friday, June 14 for a "Protecting Our Pollinators" workshop during Pollinator Week 2024! Celebrate the spirit of Pollinator Week, as we come together to raise awareness and take action in support of pollinator health. Learn how you can make a difference by cultivating a thriving future for these essential creatures.

Event Info

Micro Grants Available for Youth in our Community

Broward County is 1 of 100 selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies' Youth Climate Action Fund. Broward County will distribute microgrants ($1,000 to $5,000) to youth ages 15-24 belonging to groups working to address climate change in Broward County.

More Info

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Frogs are more active during rainy season. This is because frogs are amphibians with permeable skin that allows them to absorb water, and rain creates puddles and temporary pools that serve as breeding grounds for frogs. Ever wonder what frog is making the sounds you hear at night? The Florida Museum has them for you.

Listen and Learn

Here Comes the Rainy Season

Summer Gardening

June marks the official start of summer, so it’s recommended that Florida gardeners continue to select heat-tolerant plants and vegetables. Learn what you can plant this month with these gardening suggestions for South Florida:

Fruit Trees: The best time to plant fruit trees in South Florida is during the rainy season! The high humidity and rainfall during this time help new trees establish themselves.

Palms: Take advantage of the season’s warm, rainy weather by planting palm trees - list of Florida native palms from Fairchild Tropical Gardens

Herbs: Herbs that love heat, such as ginger, cumin, and summer savory, are recommended this month.

Vegetables: Those in South Florida should plant tropical vegetables, such as chayote and boniato.

Edibles to Plant in June [PDF]

Rainy Season is a Good Time to Plant - NOT to Prune or Fertilize

Florida's wet season is when rain is more likely to wash fertilizer into waterways which can result in algal blooms that kill seagrass and marine animals that depend on seagrass beds. Stick to native plants and you won't even need to fertilize at all! Additionally, the rain may have washed away mulch and compost, so reapply these as needed.

Florida Native Plants for Your Yard

South Florida Wet Season has Arrived

Know what to expect when it rains!

If you are new to Sunrise - or South Florida, you may not know that our climate has two seasons: Wet and Dry. Flood and drought are frequent visitors, the result of too much or too little rain. In any year, drought can happen during the wet season, and flooding can occur when we least expect a downpour. Rainfall predominantly occurs between June and October, and annual rainfall amounts range from 40 to 60 inches per year depending on the location. Florida rainfall is also spatially variable, meaning rainfall may occur on one side of the street but not on the other side.

Key Resources to help you prepare and understand the drainage system:

Download the Rainy Season Checklist What to Expect When It Rains [PDF]
Download How Excess Water Drains [PDF]

South Florida Water Management District Flood Control

Flood Zones Video from FAU Center for Environmental Studies

Floods can happen anywhere, but some places are more likely to flood than others. These higher risk places are called "floodplains," and they're usually near rivers, lakes, or oceans that overflow during heavy rain. Sometimes places far away from water can also be at risk of flooding.

Watch Video

Thank you to Community Greening, Arbor Day Foundation, and American Express! Community Greening was able to give out 125 trees - both fruit trees and native trees - at Nob Hill Soccer Club Park on Saturday, May 4.

Community Greening's Pick Up & Grow is a tree planting program that will allow community groups to apply to receive up to 25 free trees to plant on their own private property! Apply Today