Rockledge Drive Tree Coalition, Inc.

My name is Michelle Maricic and I am the President & CEO of the Rockledge Dr. Tree Coalition. I am in charge of the coalition, withdrawals and dispersing of all funds. All funds are in support of whatever expenses are incurred to protect these trees along Rockledge Dr., Rockledge FL 32955. 

We are in pursuit of protecting the large live oak trees and the live oak tree canopy that flanks our beautiful scenic Bi-Way, Rockledge Drive in Rockledge Fl. . The effort is to prevent these hundred year old oaks from being cut down or aggressively trimmed by Brevard County & their Public Works Department.  This is your scenic road, our scenic road. Don't let it be destroyed.

After a 4 year long battle, with your help we were "assured" by Brevard County in the Florida Today newspaper they would not threaten, cut or trim the trees in 2021.

And yet, here we are September of 2023 with a threat once again. Brevard County each year sends a letter about "trimming" these oak trees. Then makes an argument "the trees are a safety hazard & cause accidents" (factually incorrect - drivers not paying attention cause accidents) last I checked trees don't jump in front of cars.

Further they go on to state they have ROW per the FLDOT requirements for vertical clearance. According to the law & the COO of FLDOT there is no such requirement on a 20mph residential road.

We can't understand what is BEHIND this continued pursuit of these trees. Help us stop this ongoing pursuit to decimate these gorgeous Oak Trees.

We have created this non-profit corporation in order to fund whatever legal remedies we may need to take. This Coalition is open to anyone to be a member and any amount you feel you want to give is appreciated or any independent EFFORT to once again help us STOP Brevard Counties continued pursuit to destroy our beautiful oaks. All the benefits these Mother tress bring us. (Shade, cooler ground temperatures, cleaner air, protection of our homes from storms and hurricanes, prevention of erosion of the embankment lining the Indian River Lagoon and filtration of any contaminants from reaching the river and providing homes and food to wildlife of all kind.

Thank you in advance on behalf of the community, the trees, and all of those that enjoy the beauty this road provides us.  Whether you walk, bike, run, participate in the Space Coast Marathon, walk your dogs, stroll with your family or just enjoy a nice drive along this road. Please help us preserve these trees and their canopies Together we are stronger.

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

1) Take action yourself.

2) Sign & get others to sign our petition to save these beautiful trees and their gorgeous canopies. https://www.gofundme.com/f/rockledge-drive-tree-coalition

3). Write to or call our Florida State Representative Thad Altman and ask for his support to stop Brevard County from cutting the trees: Plead to have him save the Oak canopies and the oak trees. (321) [phone redacted] [email redacted]

4). Write to or call the interim D2 County Commissioner Tom Goodson. (321) [phone redacted] [email redacted]

5) Write to or call the Public Works Department. Marc E. Bernath, PE, PMP, CEM (321) 617-[email redacted]

6) Contact Fox News: [email redacted] [phone redacted]

7) Contact Florida Today Newspaper: Email a letter to the editor: Up to 250 words to: [email redacted] or To report breaking news ♦ [phone redacted] ♦ [email redacted] ♦ or Tweet to @Florida_Today