At Urban Habitat, we believe landscaping can be both beautiful and meaningful. We create living environments that restore biodiversity, protect against floods, and bring vibrant life back into the city — one garden at a time.
ABOUT US
Where Beauty
Meets Biodiversity
For two decades, Urban Habitat has brought Miami's landscapes back to life. We're not just landscapers — we are landscape artists and stewards of Florida's rare and precious ecosystems.
Our team has deep knowledge of South Florida’s native species, including rare and endangered plants that few others can provide. We believe that every home, business, and public space can support pollinators, birds, and people — while protecting against floods, reducing heat, and building urban resilience.
At Urban Habitat, your garden isn't just beautiful. It's alive.
Meet Howard Tonkin
An Australian who moved to Miami in 2000, Howard Tonkin founded Urban Habitat in 2012 as a native-only species landscaping firm. Urban Habitat's core value is making a positive contribution to society and Howard has dedicated his life to bringing pines and native biodiversity back to Miami-Dade County and provide resilient water conservation and stormwater mitigation strategies.
“Even small changes make a big difference. Less than 2% of Miami-Dade County Pines remain outside the Everglades — every property that restores native habitat helps rebuild what was lost and creates real resilience for the future.”
OUR SERVICES
Transforming Florida's landscapes
into living habitats.
At Urban Habitat, we design and build biodiverse, resilient landscapes using Florida's native plants. Our services range from creating vibrant butterfly gardens to building full-scale urban forests that lower temperatures, manage stormwater, and bring life back to residential, commercial, and public spaces. Every project is custom-tailored to your site's conditions, your goals, and the needs of local wildlife. Whether you're a homeowner, a business manager, or developer, we help you create landscapes that are beautiful, functional, and ecologically sound.
EXPERIENCE
Decades of hands-on expertise in
native plant landscaping.
With over 20 years of experience working in Miami's unique subtropical environment, we bring deep knowledge of Florida's diverse native species — including many rare and endangered plants you won't find in typical nurseries. Our team combines horticultural expertise with an ecological approach, ensuring that every landscape we design thrives naturally, requires less maintenance over time, and supports local biodiversity for years to come.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Committed to both our clients
and the environment.
At Urban Habitat, accountability means more than just delivering a project on time. It means standing behind our work, providing ongoing stewardship, and making sure every design continues to serve both our clients and the broader ecosystem. We're dedicated to sustainable practices, ethical sourcing, and long-term care — ensuring that your landscape grows healthier and more beautiful with each passing season.
TESTIMONIALS
Client Success Stories: Hear What Our Clients Say
Urban Habitat brought expertise we couldn’t find anywhere else. They designed a stunning native landscape for our commercial property that requires less maintenance, survives storms, and stands out from typical tropical designs. Our tenants love it — and so does the local wildlife.
SOFIA RAMIREZ
Hollywood
"I went from constant flooding to a thriving, flood-proof garden — all thanks to Urban Habitat. Their native landscaping not only solved my drainage issues but turned my yard into a living sanctuary full of butterflies, birds, and rare Florida plants. It’s beautiful, resilient, and I never worry about rain anymore."
KARINE MEGERDOOMIAN
North Miami
Within weeks of planting, the butterflies arrived. My kids love watching them every morning. Urban Habitat created a pollinator garden that’s not only beautiful but feels alive. We see birds, bees, and butterflies every day."
CARLOS D.
Coral Gables
OUR MISSION
Building a Sustainable Future
Urban Habitat creates habitat within the urban matrix to sustain species of plants and animals that otherwise face extinction.
At Urban Habitat, we believe every green space is precious and has the power to give life. In urbanized areas where pavement and concrete dominate, we see an opportunity to bring nature back — to create spaces where butterflies return, birds sing, and rare native plants thrive again.
This is more than landscaping to us. It’s about healing damaged land, protecting fragile ecosystems, and building living, breathing sanctuaries that serve both people and wildlife. Every garden we create is part of a larger vision: a greener, more resilient Florida where nature belongs in every neighborhood.
