Tampa Kayaker Sunset

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

Thus far in 2023 Tampa’s Green Team has:

  • Removed over 11,000 lbs of trash within city limits and from the Hillsborough River
  • Planted 150 trees in City of Tampa parks
  • Removed 800 lbs of invasive plant species from various parks
  • Planted over 6,000 plants in various gardens around Tampa parks and communities
  • Created Spring and Summer Camp Programs geared towards teaching Tampa’s youth about sustainability

 

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 now accepting applications to serve as a full-time AmeriCorps Member working alongside of the City of Tampa to make the community and earth a better place!

Applications will be accepted until Sunday, June 25 at 8:00 PM.

Accepted members will serve in full-time roles from August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024. Members are required to serve a minimum of 1,700 hours.

Members will work with a variety of City of Tampa departments and partnering non-profits to help make the community and earth a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable place to work, live and play.

 Join Tampa’s Green Team!

What you should be interested in:

Planting and Maintaining Trees
Gardening
Reducing Marine Litter Debris
Climate Change Education
Sustainability & Resilience Issues
Being Part of a Team & Making a Difference

What you will receive:

Monthly living stipend of $2,125 over the 52 week period
$6,850 Educational Award upon successful completion of service year*
Federal Student Loan Forbearance
Professional Development
Health Care Coverage
Lots of Exercise Outdoors

* 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.