Community Foundation Tampa Bay is proud to support Keep Pinellas Beautiful as they work to restore natural habitats and strengthen storm resilience across our region. Their project, Resilient Roots, was selected to receive funding through our Competitive Grants cycle because it addresses a clear and timely community need: rebuilding the tree canopy lost during the 2024 hurricane season.
A healthy tree canopy is one of our region’s most important natural defenses. Trees absorb stormwater, reduce flooding, stabilize soil, cool neighborhoods, and act as windbreaks during severe weather. After major storms, restoring damaged canopies is essential for long-term environmental and community resilience.
The Resilient Roots initiative brings together youth volunteers, local residents, and environmental experts to help restore these protective landscapes across four Pinellas County parks:
During the Competitive Grants process, this project stood out because it combines strong environmental impact with meaningful community engagement. Keep Pinellas Beautiful is partnering with Pinellas County Parks and Urban Forestry to identify appropriate native species, assess each site, and ensure that plantings are tailored to the ecological needs of each park. The initiative will also provide hands-on education for youth volunteers, helping them understand the role of healthy tree canopies in environmental health and storm resilience.
One recent volunteer project demonstrated the momentum behind this work. In October, Keep Pinellas Beautiful shifted their planned Lake Seminole cleanup to Taylor Park due to a scheduling conflict. The location change did not slow them down. Fifty-five volunteers joined the event and removed 483 pounds of invasive vegetation, including Caesar weed, air potato, and carrotwood. Clearing invasive species creates space for native trees to thrive and supports the long-term success of future plantings.
This effort is one of several volunteer-driven restoration events held as part of Resilient Roots. Each cleanup, tree planting, and educational activity strengthens the parks that protect our communities during storms while inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.
Community Foundation Tampa Bay is committed to supporting nonprofits that build long-term resilience across our region. Resilient Roots reflects much of what we value in our grantmaking: strong partnerships, community engagement, and innovative solutions that create lasting impact.
The Foundation's Competitive Grants cycle is now open. Local nonprofits can learn more about competitive grants and the application process at https://www.cftampabay.org/annual-competitive-grants.
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