Biodiversity Builders℠ is fiscally sponsored by the Tiny Seed Project, Inc. 501(c)3.
Read: “How to Be a Biodiversity Builder” in Belmont Citizen’s Forum
2024 Biodiversity Builders℠
Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge program. Students sold 334 plants at their native plant sale!, planted 5 native plant gardens, maintained and labeled 7 native plant gardens, participated in 4 invasive plant pulls, designed and implemented 4 container gardens and 4 home gardens, hosted 1 moth ball, and removed 270 baskets of invasive water chestnuts from Arlington Reservoir with the Mystic River Watershed Association.
2023 Biodiversity Builders℠
Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge combined program. Students planted 4 gardens, cleaned up and labeled 8 gardens, participated in 7 invasive pulls, learned how to design 2 garden templates, designed 3 home gardens (as part of independent projects), and sold 201 plants at their native plant sale!
2022 Biodiversity Builders℠
Arlington/Belmont Pilot Program & Cambridge MSYEP. Through two programs, students designed 4 and installed 3 gardens, cleaned up and labeled a handful of gardens, participated in 8 invasive pulls, helped host Jerry’s Pondfest, and sold 184 plants at their native plant sale!
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
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“The work in client gardens was definitely a high point, as well as our meetings with outside experts, such as Save the Alewife Brook and the tours of Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Habitat, and the Charles River.”
-Kira, College Mentor 2024
(2022 Alum) -
“A high point was working alongside Kira and bouncing ideas off of her. I think we complemented each other's strengths well. I will take with me the confidence and trust in myself that this experience taught me."
-Paige, College Mentor 2024
(2022 Alum) -
“I was so glad I was able to have a hands-on summer job with bosses who gave me a seat at the table and allowed me to share my opinions. I am super excited to use the skills and knowledge I learned…”
Krista, College Mentor 2023
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“It was an amazing experience, I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it… we got to explore a lot of places, some that I didn't even realize were around where I live."
-Leia, 2024
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“Belle Isle marsh I particularly enjoyed because I was exposed to a place I’d never been to before... There was always something to look forward to and something to learn... the mix of people we met provided me with a lot of encouragement and hope for a better world."
-Vivian, 2024
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“I think the program really managed to excite and inspire the students, myself included, regardless of prior familiarity with plants or gardening.”
Ryan, 2023
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“I thoroughly enjoyed this program, all of the activities and all of the people were wonderful... It was all so engaging.”
-Bernie, 2024
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"The format of teaching about native plants and then working with them really cemented it in my brain. I loved this program and really learned a lot...I just wish that it had lasted longer because it went by so quickly."
-Lilah, 2024
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“It was amazing, I learned a lot. There was an atmosphere of learning and doing that wasn’t like school, because everyone was passionate about what we were doing.”
Melvin, 2023
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“I’m glad I was able to work with like-minded kids my age and being able to go beyond the basic gardening work to work with more technical financial tasks.”
-Griffin, 2024
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“Signing up for this program was the best decision I made this summer!”
Leo, 2022
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“It was a nice experience and went by pretty fast. Whenever I had questions I got answers.”
-Noah, 2024