Taking Root: Take MAR's Second Phase of Native Tree Planting on the Pinellas Trail
In the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida, on Saturday, October 28th, Take MAR took another significant step in regenerating the natural beauty of the Pinellas Trail. With the dedicated efforts of over 90 volunteers, Take MAR planted 95 native trees, extending the greenery from 28th Street South to the intersection of 5th Avenue South and 22nd Street South. This second phase of tree planting not only expanded the trail's population of trees but also united a community of passionate individuals committed to making a positive impact on their environment!
Saturday's planting event was a testament to community spirit. Our sincere gratitude goes out to the dedicated volunteers without whom this mission would not have been possible. Your collective effort has left an indelible mark on our beloved Pinellas Trail.
The second phase of our tree-planting success story would be incomplete without acknowledging our indispensable partners. We are committed to nurturing this diverse community of volunteers and supporters, and in doing so, we must recognize the crucial role played by our partners. These include the City of St. Petersburg, as well as the invaluable contributions of Dean Hay from the Department of Sustainability and Resilience and the Department of Transportation. We are also grateful for the support of T.R.E.E Inc. and Will Moriaty, who received the City of St. Petersburg Lifetime Forestry Achievement Award. This honor is well-deserved, as Will has personally planted over 40,000 trees in the Tampa Bay area. In addition, we extend our appreciation to Keep Pinellas Beautiful (KPB) for their active participation and provision of essential tools.
We offer our heartfelt thanks to our food sponsors, Bagel Babe, Gateway Subs, and Rollin’ Oats, for ensuring our volunteers were well-fed and energized. Additionally, we'd like to express our gratitude to WADA (Warehouse Arts District Association) for their contributions to planting hubs and overall support. Special thanks go to City Councilwoman Gina Driscoll (District 6) for gracing our event with her presence and supporting this wonderful initiative. With the support of dedicated individuals, organizations, and volunteers, we eagerly anticipate continuing our mission to make the Pinellas Trail even more beautiful and environmentally sustainable.
We also want to give a shout-out to one of our most avid supporters, the St. Petersburg Distillery, and their president, Matt Armstrong, who received the City Beautiful Commission's "Urban Forestry Award" at our event!
Our tree-planting initiative introduced a diverse array of native trees and shrubs to the Pinellas Trail. These included Slash Pines, Cocoplums, Fire Bush, Florida Privet, Mahogany, Yaupon Hollies, Red Mulberries, Live Oaks, Jamaica Dogwood, Green Buttonwood, and Gumbo Limbos. These native species bring invaluable benefits to the local ecosystem and our community. Planting trees is not just about enhancing the trail's aesthetic appeal, although it certainly does that. It's a crucial step in restoring ecological balance. Trees serve as nature's air purifiers, elevating the ecosystem's health, supporting wildlife, providing shade, and creating a serene atmosphere. Moreover, they foster a sense of community, ensuring that the trail remains a beloved asset for all of us to enjoy.
Recognizing the pivotal role of trees in our environment, we embarked on a mission to regenerate the Pinellas Trail. This heavily-traveled section of the trail will soon provide a shaded, healthy path for thousands to enjoy. It's a gift that keeps on giving.
Keep an eye out for more photos from the event!
With your unwavering support, Take MAR, in collaboration with its dedicated volunteers, partners, and generous tree donors, has truly transformed the Pinellas Trail by planting 95 native trees and shrubs.
THANK YOU!!!
