Urban Paradise Guild

By Alexandra Indrah Kruse

The Urban Paradise Guild (UPG) is a pioneering South Florida nonprofit founded in 2008, with the mission to restore native habitats in urban Miami‑Dade County and to promote sustainable, resilient living for both people and wildlife. The UPG is one of this blog’s favorite non-profit groups in Florida and we have covered it in posts here and also here.

Over its long history, UPG has emerged as Miami’s first “Climate Active” organization, deeply engaged in hands‑on conservation, policy advocacy, education, and innovative community programs.

The organization is led by its founder Sam Van Leer, a lifelong South Florida environmentalist, who turned his deep connection to Biscayne Bay and extensive kayaking exploration into a mission to combat habitat degradation. His goal: tackle environmental problems by addressing root causes through public mobilization.

Sam is assisted in leading the UPG by Executive Director Jackeline Bonilla, who spearheads UPG’s strategic programs, including the Climate Apprentices initiative. She emphasizes empowering local emerging leaders to drive sustainable solutions throughout Miami.

Together, they lead a lean team of dedicated staff, apprentices, interns, team leaders, and volunteers—making impacts through agile operations and grassroots mobilization.

The UPG works at the intersection of habitat restoration, climate resilience, environmental education, and policy advocacy. Core initiatives include:

• Native habitat renewal—restoring tree canopy, butterfly pollinator corridors, mangroves, and aquatic ecosystems.
• Climate resilience, via urban forestry and green infrastructure to buffer against floods and heat.
• Food resilience, through urban agriculture projects in under served neighborhoods, tackling food insecurity while fostering community health.
• Policy and advocacy—working on tree canopy protections, living shorelines, and a pioneering near‑shore marine park off Miami Beach.

Milestone Events & Projects

1. Wynwood Butterfly Habitat (2014)
   Volunteers planted native flowers and larval plants in urban tree pits as part of an Earth Day habitat corridor.
2. Hands Across the Sand Beach Protest (2014)
   UPG teamed up with Surfrider to oppose offshore drilling and dirty energy—organizing a 200‑person human chain on Miami Beach.
3. Arch Creek East Park Restoration (2023)
   Ongoing efforts include removing invasive species and reviving native habitat in this key community green space.
4. Tree Ordinance Advocacy (2025)
   When Miami’s city leaders attempted to weaken tree protections, UPG spearheaded a successful public campaign that led to the ordinance’s withdrawal.

Current & Ongoing Initiatives

Climate Apprentice Program

Launched in 2023 in partnership with AmeriCorps, this paid, 10‑month fellowship develops a new generation of climate leaders—permaculturists, educators, filmmakers—who plant trees, build butterfly gardens, support food forests, and mobilize volunteers across Miami.

2. Land‑Bay‑Reef Partnership

A holistic environmental restoration campaign targeting nutrient runoff, seagrass restoration, and protection of a near‑shore coral reef off South Beach. UPG advocates establishing the Miami Beach Marine Park to safeguard thousands of species and strengthen coastal resilience.

3. Weekly Volunteer Site Projects

Examples include routine habitat restoration at:

• UPG Amelia Garden Center (Hialeah)—volunteer Saturdays focused on native gardening and pineland restoration.
• ACE Preserve, North Miami—monthly restoration work supporting coastal forest regeneration.

4. Public & Educational Outreach

• Host plant sales featuring native plant and garden kits.
• Offer guided reef dives in partnership with Blue Scholars and Art Sail to raise coral awareness and reef conservation activism.

5. Marine Park Action & Advocacy

UPG drove community support for Miami Beach Commission’s resolution (Agenda C7 AM) to allocate funds ($250 k) to plan and design a Marine Conservation Area protecting the newly discovered near‑shore reef—the item passed in 2025.

Why UPG Matters

1. Action‑oriented impact—not just advocacy, but on‑the‑ground restoration across urban ecosystems.
2. Leadership development—hands-on training through apprenticeships, team leadership, and volunteer empowerment.
3. Systemic focus—projects and campaigns that address root environmental drivers via policy and sustained restoration.
4. Climate resilience—ecosystems restored by UPG buffer communities against flooding, heat, and biodiversity loss.

Looking Ahead

UPG’s future priorities include:

• Finalizing design and permitting for the Miami Beach Marine Park.
• Scaling urban agriculture initiatives to address food inequality and provide community nutrition.
• Expanding urban forestry and green infrastructure, including tree canopy expansion and living shorelines.
• Sustaining and growing the Climate Apprentice program through AmeriCorps and local partnerships.

In summary, Urban Paradise Guild has, for more than 17 years, been a transformative force in South Florida—championing climate adaptation, ecological protection, and habitat restoration. Under the visionary stewardship of Sam Van Leer and Executive Director Jackeline Bonilla, it has orchestrated volunteer-powered restoration, policy wins, education, and community leadership development. Its current focus on the near‑shore reef park, tree canopy defense, agriculture, and apprentices exemplifies a holistic, resilient, and deeply local approach to environmental stewardship in urban ecosystems.

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