introducing

Nature Hubs & Pollination Stations

The human right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment was adopted by the United Nations in October of 2021. Also last year, our country took critical steps forward in conserving and protecting our planet by instating the 30x30 or "America the Beautiful" Initiative. In February of 2022, our non-profit submitted a letter on behalf of almost 100 organizations to the Biden-Harris Administration, advocating for increased natural spaces throughout the nation. Here in South Florida, it is our collective responsibility to increase public access to nature. We plan to do that by introducing nature hubs and pollination stations to our local communities.

What's a nature hub?

How do nature hubs benefit our community?

From a vacant urban lot to a 1-acre land parcel near a waterway, nature hubs and pollination stations come in all shapes and sizes! When you step foot into the hub, you will be surrounded by native trees, plants, and wildflowers, whose sweet aromas pleasantly greet your senses. Your neighbor greets you with a smile, as they make a quick stop at the specialty recycling receptacles, like those for cigarette butts, ink cartridges, or Styrofoam. Your eye may be drawn to a white-breasted nuthatch as it hops down a tree head first, or a bat performing natural pest control as it swirls through the twilight sky. In the background you may hear the laughter of a 4th grade class learning how to compost, or the quiet rippling of the bordering river. On your way around the trails, you notice the veggie garden's bright hues beautifully complementing the fields of native wildflowers swaying in the breeze.

What plants and wildlife will I see?

Native plants play an important role in our efforts to combat climate change and promote thriving ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for wildlife, all while taking harmful greenhouse gases out of our atmosphere. These plants are also drought-resistant and do an amazing job at filtering our groundwater! We are proud to restore South Florida's native habitats by using beneficial native species.

While providing critical access to nature, these are hubs for community engagement and wellness that directly benefit our waterways! Community members will benefit from educational and wellness events, like sunrise yoga or carbon gardening classes. Visitors will return to their neighborhoods equipped with reusable bags, gloves, and litter grabbers, to help keep their own streets and sidewalks clean. At any time, you may see volunteers planting fields of milkweed or transforming driftwood into a sturdy bench. The possibilities for meaningful community engagement are endless.

• Community gardens

• Promoting healthy pollination

• Non-invasive plants

• Pesticide-free

• Community clean-up supply station

• Educational amphitheater

• Learning circle

• Backyard bamboo bee habitats

• Wildflower fields

• Safe wildlife corridors

• Specialty recycling

  • Cigarette butts​

  • Styrofoam

  • Toothbrushes

  • Razors

  • Ink, and more!

• Self-care initiatives​

• Field trip destination

• Fruit trees and veggies

  • Future opportunities with Food Banks​

• Benches & pathways for community members to learn, explore, and enjoy the outdoors.​

More Native Plants​

• Coral honeysuckle

• Milkweed

• Mangroves

• Scarlet salvia

• Bushy bluestem

• Beautyberry

• Marsh hibiscus

• Gumbo limbo tree

• Bald cypress

• Beach sunflower

• Prickly pear

👆  Look at that root system! Native plants are great for preventing erosion.

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While visiting a nature hub, you may be joined by some wild friends, like Monarch butterflies, leafcutter bees, or a manatee family grazing in the riverbeds. Also keep an eye out for:

• Free-tailed bats

• Zebra longwing butterflies

• Northern cardinals

• Band-winged dragonflies