United States Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 18th District, Miami, has teamed up with Xavier Cortada, artist-in-residence at Florida's Miami Science Museum, to participate in the Native Flags installation. Previously, IGLO has publicized Cortada's work because of the shared goals of raising climate-change awareness. So enthused by this urban reforestation project that aims to help restore native species, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen has written to fellow members of Congress urging them to partner with science centers and plant a native tree and a flag specially designed by Cortada. In addition to Native Flags expanding in the U.S. beyond Miami, Cortada is traveling to the North Pole and will display a flag upon his arrival on June 30. This event will kick off Native Flags on a global level - citizens worldwide are encouraged to plant indigenous trees as well as a flag. Institutions that have been contacted by their local congressmen should e-mail iglo@astc.org with any questions they may, or if they would like information on how to approach elected officials about participating in Native Flags. For a copy of Rep. Ros-Lehtinen's letter, click here.