Library Partnerships Empower Communities through Environmental Stewardship

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

Many of today’s conveniences create environmental degradation affecting the quality of our water, landscapes, and climate. Current and future generations must rely on science to solve such issues both locally and globally. Library programs can create a spark that ties science to impactful and purposeful actions. Rather than let these problems overwhelm us, the Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) provides ways to inspire and connect all ages to community-based solutions. To do this, partnerships are key. Tethering the reach of three local government entities, Composting at Home 101 matches MDPLS librarians with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Miami-Dade County (UF/IFAS Extension) and the Miami-Dade County Dept. of Solid Waste Management (MDCDSWM) to train the public to regenerate household waste into organic compost. The library hosts UF/IFAS Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteer(s) who teach how to enrich soil by creating humus that retains moisture, suppresses plant disease and pests, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. After the Master Gardener’s lecture, attendees earn a voucher that gifts them a free composter distributed by MDCDSWM. With the power of three, we amplify the program’s effectiveness to residents concerned about the environmental consequences of their family’s refuse.