Green Team

Tampa's Green Team

About Us

Tampa's Green Team is an environmental stewardship program in partnership with AmeriCorps and Volunteer Florida that addresses many of the city's sustainability and resiliency goals. Some of what you'll find the Green Team doing is litter removal, tree plantings and maintenance, establishing community gardens, invasive species removal, park beautification, community education, youth engagement and more! Each member of the team is passionate about creating a healthy environment for future generations.

Volunteer Florida
AmericCorp Florida

Program Highlights

Since launching in 2023, Tampa’s Green Team has:

  • Removed over 63,000 lb. of trash within city limits and from the Hillsborough River
  • Planted 1,314 trees in City of Tampa parks
  • Removed over 5,890 lb. of invasive plant species from various parks
  • Planted over 9,730 plants in various gardens around Tampa parks and communities
  • Educated over 1,550 of Tampa’s youth about environmental stewardship and sustainable practices via after-school, in-school, summer camp and seasonal programming
  • Improved over 53,500 acres of City owned property 
Free Monthly Nature Tours

We're Back and We're Hiring!

City of Tampa AmeriCorps Environmental Stewardship Program: Tampa’s Green Team

The City of Tampa has partnered again with Volunteer Florida and AmeriCorps to continue to offer the first city-sponsored environmental stewardship program in the State of Florida!

The City of Tampa is accepting applications for a 3rd cohort of members to serve as full-time AmeriCorps Members serving alongside City of Tampa staff to make our local community and earth a better place!

 

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, July 25 at 5:00 PM.

 

Accepted members will serve in full-time roles from August 19, 2024 – July 31, 2025. Members are required to serve a minimum of 1,700 hours.

Members will serve with a variety of City of Tampa departments including the office of Sustainability & Resiliency, Parks & Recreation, Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater in addition to numerous partnering non-profits to help make the community and earth a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable place to work, live and play.

2024-2025 Application: City of Tampa AmeriCorps Environmental Stewardship Program

Applications for the AmeriCorps Green Team 2024-2025 cohort will be available Friday, June 14 - Thursday, July 25 at 5:00pm.

What you should be interested in:

What you will receive:

* Not limited to degree-seeking educational experience. May be used for Outdoor Bound and National Outdoor Leadership Schools (NOLS).

What the Green Team members have to say about their experience:

“Not everyone has the privilege or knowledge to engage in sustainability practices. Being part of a team that makes that more accessible for Tampa communities makes me really proud.” 

Anaís Diaz-Young

“As a Tampa native, I’m honored to be part of a team working to increase sustainability efforts in my city. It’s a joy to work in the parks and contribute to my community, and the region, in a positive way; and I hope Tampa can continue to be a leader for sustainability and in the fight against climate change.” 

Ericka Leigh

Achievements

Some of the main goals the Green Team has worked on are increasing Tampa’s tree canopy, clearing marine debris and litter, clearing storm drains, and spreading awareness through community outreach programs and events. All those actions, and more, fall under the umbrella of environmental stewardship and support the Green Team’s goal of working toward a more sustainable city!

Tampa was once referred to as “The world’s biggest tree city” due to trees covering 36% of our landscape. The tree canopy has receded by 4.6% since 1995. Increasing the tree canopy will reduce urban heat by providing shade for building and sidewalk surfaces, deflecting radiation from the sun, and releasing moisture into the atmosphere. 

Tampa Bay is located on the Gulf of Mexico and the Hillsborough River runs through the city. Keeping the waterways clean is integral for a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Marine debris also washes up into the mangrove trees and on the living shoreline, which aid to reduce storm surge during hurricane season, thus posing serious health risks to them and the community at large. 

Plastic in all forms, polystyrene foam, mylar confetti, textiles, metal, cigarette filters and more, can often be found as litter in many public places in cities, and they can be toxic for soil and wildlife. Over time plastics break down into tiny pieces called microplastics that mix into the soil of plants and trees and are accidentally ingested by wildlife, causing serious health complications and even death. Picking up litter and removing as much debris as we can on a regular basis helps curb these very serious side effects of plastics. 

Storm drains are used to trap in excess water to help prevent flooding. Litter and tidal debris can block these drains thereby making flooding more probable in that area. Without proper removal of storm drain debris and litter, these materials often end up washing into the water ways, harming marine life. 

Spreading awareness via engaging with community members while picking up litter and planting trees, tabling at events being held throughout the city, social media posts, press conferences, and developing educational programs for students at various community centers and schools. We have partnered with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, the Coalition of Community Gardens, Hispanics for the Environment, Tampa Bay Kayak Anglers, Gasparilla Music Festival, the University of South Florida, Tampa International Airport, Nature’s Classroom and Freedom Boat Club among others.

How To Plant a Tree | Step-by-Step Tutorial