GULFPORT, Fla. — The City of Gulfport launched its new environmental team Saturday.
Its first mission is to take an inventory of the city’s trees after 2024’s storms.
The initial team of about a dozen people collected data about tree species, size, condition and location outside the Gulfport Community Center.
The goal is to learn about the city’s tree canopy and biodiversity.
Terrence Lee was at the inaugural event.
“It’s an easy way to volunteer, and it gets you out and about during the day,” Lee said.
The city’s tree coverage was at around 23%, but then hurricanes Helene and Milton barreled in.
While it is starting with trees, the team plans to tackle other environmental goals in the future. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Tyler O’Neill)
“We lost a lot of trees, and we haven’t found out how many yet, but probably we’re down about 19 or 20% canopy now,” said April Thanos, vice mayor of the City of Gulfport.
Prior to the 2024 storms, the city had set out to grow its tree canopy to 30%.
Dean Hay, a founding member of the environmental team, said that trees have many benefits, from shade to air quality and even drainage.
“They help with stormwater infiltration,” he said. “They actually lower the ground water, so that when we receive more rainwater from our rain events, then there’s more room to store that water underground so that we don’t have such high water tables and flooding.”
The team is doing an inventory of trees in the city. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Tyler O’Neill)
Once team members get enough data, they will start coming up with mid- and long-range plans to plant trees across the city. That’s Lee’s favorite part.
“I know how to do it, and I know how to do it well. If and when it comes to that, I’m definitely going to be there to help plant trees,” Lee said.
While it is starting with trees, the team plans to tackle other environmental goals in the future.
Gulfport will have a free tree giveaway on Feb. 21, 2026.
City residents can pick up a tree from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Clymer Park.
Tyler O’Neill
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