The Problem
Our project is to rebuild our pollinator garden: investing in both the local ecosystem and in young leaders who will carry this knowledge forward. Our team became inspired to revitalize our pollinator garden after our recent garden relocation (necessitated by rising water costs at our previous site). The move impacted our existing pollinator habitat, and we saw an opportunity to rebuild it better than before — not just for the bees and butterflies, but as a hands-on learning space for our community's youth. Youth will lead this project by researching native Florida pollinator plants, designing the garden layout, and creating educational signage. They will host a community planting day and lead community education. A portion of funds will also support transportation for families affected by Tampa's limited public transit. The project will culminate in a celebration event honoring six years of community gardening and launching the revitalized pollinator space.
Our Plan
Step 1: Get Engaged / Get Inspired Our team became inspired to revitalize our pollinator garden after our recent garden relocation (necessitated by rising water costs at our previous site). The move impacted our existing pollinator habitat, and we saw an opportunity to rebuild it better than before — not just for the bees and butterflies, but as a hands-on learning space for our community's youth. Our Young Seed participants and teen volunteers expressed excitement about creating a garden space that supports local pollinators, improves our food crop yields, and serves as an outdoor classroom. The young people in our program want to learn about native Florida plants, pollinator health, and how to share that knowledge with their neighbors. Step 2: Observe Our youth participants and leaders loved the pollinator garden in our former space, and would like the chance to revitalize it in the new space. Together, we walked the new garden site and noted which areas receive full sun, partial shade, and shade and noticed the lack of native flowering plants and the low number of pollinator visitors compared to our previous location. Through these observations, youth identified a clear need: the garden lacks a dedicated, accessible pollinator habitat that can also serve as a teaching space for school groups, families, and community visitors. Step 3: Take Action With grant funding, youth leaders will take the following actions: Planning & Design (August – September 2026) Youth participants will research which native Florida pollinator plants (milkweed, firebush, blanket flower, salvia, etc.) would thrive in Tampa's climate, especially given the intense summer heat. Youth will create simple educational signage about each plant species and its pollinator visitors based on their research. Planting & Building (October – November 2026) Purchase native plants, soil, mulch, and garden edging materials. Host a youth-led community planting day where Young Seed participants teach younger children and adults how to plant and care for pollinator-friendly species. Install educational signage created by youth. If supplies allow, youth will distribute free pollinator-friendly seedlings (milkweed, pentas, salvia) to community members to take home. Transportation Support A portion of funds will support transportation for community members who face barriers due to Tampa's limited public transit, ensuring families from food apartheid neighborhoods can participate in planting days and workshops. Step 4: Celebrate Once the pollinator garden is planted and the educational signage is installed, youth leaders will host a Pollinator Garden Celebration Event at 813 Hood Garden in late November to early December. The celebration will include: A garden tour led by Young Seed participants, showcasing the new pollinator plants and explaining their importance A take-home seedling station where community members receive native plants for their own gardens A community lunch or dinner celebrating the youth-led project and 813 Hood Garden
