Jennifer Rodero, a DERM spokeswoman, said Hialeah may have come in on the lower end of the spectrum in the past, but she expects that figure to climb significantly.
''I've been driving through Hialeah all my life and I've never seen as many trees as I see now,'' said Rodero, who grew up in the city.
``Basically it was bare. I remember the most trees I would see in Hialeah was the race track, which are Australian pines.''
Businesses within Hialeah's borders are doing their part.
Hialeah is home to Gus Casamayor's AC Graphics, the first quadruple green certified print shop in Florida. It uses soy-based inks that are less toxic and biodegradable, and paper made from trees in sustainable forests, where removed trees are immediately replaced. The city's print shop is now green certified.
Last week, Robaina said he received a call from a businessman who wants to open the first environmentally green body shop in Hialeah. They use water-based paints.
Gabriel Sebastian, who founded Hialeah-based Energy Solar, recently sealed the roof of Fire Station 6 with a spray foam insulation made from soy. He said the spray foam isolates the heat penetrating the roof and cuts the energy bill by 30 to 50 percent.
''Hialeah is a pretty progressive city. Their trend to going green makes more economic sense than making a large investment in solar or wind power,'' he said. ``Going green is not just for the sake of going green, but going green will save you a lot of money.''
And given the tough economic times, that's a major motivator.
''Hialeah wants to be one of the greenest cities in Florida,'' said Sebastian, a lifetime city resident. ``I keep telling them they have a lot of catching up to do, but they're on their way.''
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