Replanting the Future: OUR Planting Event at lower green swamp nature preserve
On Saturday, January 18th, Take MAR, in collaboration with Jabil Cares Foundation, hosted our largest planting event to date at the beautiful Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve. With over 150+ enthusiastic volunteers, we achieved an incredible milestone: planting 1,000 Longleaf Pines and nearly 500 native ground covers - including Wiregrass, Black-Eyed Susan, Lopsided Indian Grass and Florida Pennyroyal.
A Day Of Connection and Community
This event was truly special—not just for the environmental impact, but for the sense of community it fostered. Volunteers from a wide variety of organizations, individuals, and local groups came together, creating a unique and inspiring energy throughout the day. Long-time members of Take MAR worked side by side with newcomers, creating bonds while giving back to the environment.
One particularly heartwarming moment was seeing volunteers naming the trees as they planted them. From heartfelt names to playful nicknames, these small gestures underscored the deep personal connection everyone felt to the mission. Together, we quite literally replanted a small forest that will one day provide shade and sanctuary for future generations. The vibes were joyful, and the day was filled with smiles, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose.
Drone footage captured the planting as volunteers spread out amongst the preserve to fill the area with plants. The more you look, the more people you will notice!
Why Longleaf Pines and Native Plants Matter
Longleaf Pines are vital to the restoration of Florida’s natural ecosystems. Once covering over 90 million acres in the southeastern United States, these iconic trees now occupy less than 3% of their historic range. By planting these pines, along with native ground covers like Wiregrass and Florida Penny Royal, we’re not just beautifying the preserve—we’re supporting native wildlife, improving air quality, and combating climate change.
Our goal for this planting was to carefully mimic the natural landscape and biodiversity of the area. By selecting species that naturally thrive in this environment and planting them in a way that reflects the wild landscape, we’ve created a system designed to flourish and sustain itself with minimal intervention. This approach ensures a higher survival rate for the plants, allowing the ecosystem to establish itself more effectively and thrive long into the future.
Looking Ahead
This monumental event wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors. The Jabil Cares Foundation provided the funding that brought this dream to life, while Path Water donated aluminum water bottles to keep everyone hydrated and Rollin’ Oats, Publix Madeira Beach & Gateway Subs delighted our volunteers with snacks to fuel their hard work.
To all the amazing volunteers who joined us: thank you for your energy, dedication, and passion. You’ve helped create something truly special that will stand as a legacy for generations.
Missed this event? Don’t worry! We have many exciting opportunities on the horizon, and we’d love for you to join us.
Stay tuned for updates on future events, or consider supporting Take MAR’s initiatives by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word about our work.
Highlights from the Planting!
Take MAR would like to thank the our amazing partners who brought this planting to life:
Jabil Cares Foundation – Our event sponsor, whose commitment to sustainability helped make this vision a reality.
Path Water – Keeping our volunteers hydrated with reusable water bottles.
Rollin’ Oats, Publix Madeira Beach & Gateway Subs – Providing the snacks and treats that fueled our hardworking team!
We also extend a huge thanks to our board members, captains, volunteers and supporters who help us grow with every event - we couldn’t do it without you!
