EcoTeers in Action: Growing Community Impact Through Sustainability and Service

EcoTeers in Action: Growing Community Impact Through Sustainability and Service

Our EcoTeers continue to make a meaningful impact in the community through education, outreach, and hands-on environmental action. In January, our team connected with local residents at events in Pompano Beach, where they supported a Garden Club Seminar featuring our horticulture curator, Amy Reilly, and engaged visitors during Conservation Weekend to inspire new volunteers and raise awareness about sustainability.

In February, EcoTeers participated in a community celebration at the historic Sample-McDougald House, distributing biodegradable plant pods with native wildflower seeds and educating families about the importance of protecting our environment. In March, they continued their outreach at Water Matters Day, sharing insights on water conservation and promoting initiatives like our Rain Barrel Program.

Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our impact. We will host two Earth Day events on April 18 and April 22, and in the coming months, our volunteers will collaborate with a local nonprofit on an aquaponics and gardening project, while also leading native planting efforts in parks and shared community spaces. Plans are also underway for a Sustainability and Climate Fair this summer.

With your support, we can continue to grow these programs, deepen community engagement, and create a more sustainable future for all.
#Climate #WaterConservation #Ecoteers

Eco-teers in Action: Growing a Greener Broward

With gratitude to our partner, the Community Foundation of Broward
At Flamingo Gardens, every act of care — every planted tree, every conserved drop of water, every conversation about sustainability — helps our community bloom a little brighter.
Thanks to the generous support of the Community Foundation of Broward (CFB), our Eco-teers have been hard at work nurturing both the environment and the people who call central Broward home. We recently partnered with them on their “40 for 40: Spread the Love” initiative, celebrating the CFB’s 40 years of impact with some impact of our own: installing 40 rain barrels across the County.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors — and Nature
Since January, Eco-teers have teamed up with 40 community organizations, reaching an estimated 117,000 residents across central Broward.
From school gardens to other nonprofit organizations, our volunteers have helped bring people together to learn, share, and take meaningful steps toward sustainability. Every project reflects the spirit of community that keeps Broward County thriving.
“Our work is about more than conservation,” says Ashley Vieira, Eco-Teer Coordinator. “It’s about helping people feel empowered to care for the places they love — and showing that small changes can make a big impact.”

Caring for Water, Our Most Precious Resource
Water is life — and protecting it has been one of Eco-teers’ top priorities this year.
Through this project’s reuse initiatives, we’ve saved more than 300 gallons of water in just six months. By year’s end, we’re on track to conserve over 900 gallons, with an additional 790 to 1,200 gallons reused through sustainable practices.
These efforts not only reduce waste but also remind us of the power of collective action — how small steps, multiplied across a community, can ripple outward to create lasting change.


Powered by Partnership
We’re deeply thankful to the Community Foundation of Broward for making this work possible. Their partnership helps us grow our reach, strengthen our programs, and continue building a more sustainable future for everyone in our community.
“The Community Foundation’s support doesn’t just fund our programs — it fuels hope,” says Vieira. “Together, we’re proving that when we care for our environment, we care for each other.”

Join the Eco-teers!

Our mission continues — and we’d love for you to be part of it. Whether you’re planting, teaching, or simply spreading awareness, your time and passion make a difference.

📩 Contact:

Ashley Vieira

Eco-Teer Coordinator

📧 [email protected]

Learn more at flamingogardens.org/clubs-classes/eco-teers-club

Eco-Teers in Action: Protecting Our Waterways and Pollinators – June 2025 Highlights

June was a powerful month for Flamingo Gardens’ Eco-Teers, as volunteers came together to fight pollution and restore critical native habitats across South Florida. Here’s a look at the incredible work they accomplished:

June 14th, 2025 – Tackling Pollution at Secret Woods
On a sweltering Saturday morning, a determined group of Eco-Teers laced up their boots and got to work at Secret Woods Nature Center, removing five massive 100-gallon bags of waste from the park’s fragile natural areas.

This wasn’t just about cleaning up litter—it was about taking a stand against a growing environmental crisis. In recent years, South Florida has faced devastating sewage spills, including an alarming 126-million-gallon dump into Fort Lauderdale’s waterways in a single event. These pollutants suffocate marine life, fuel harmful algal blooms, and damage coral reef systems already weakened by rising temperatures and acidification.

By clearing debris from natural areas before it reaches the water, Eco-Teers help protect the health of our wetlands, rivers, and ocean ecosystems. Their efforts play a small but mighty role in turning the tide on water pollution—and in protecting the wildlife and communities who rely on clean, safe water.

June 21st, 2025 – Milkweed Magic at Flamingo Gardens
Just one week later, the Eco-Teers gathered again—this time at the Flamingo Gardens Nursery for a special hands-on workshop all about milkweed, the lifeline of the monarch butterfly.

Participants discovered the vital role these native plants play in Florida’s ecosystem. Monarch butterflies can only lay eggs on milkweed, and their caterpillars rely on it as their sole food source. With monarch populations having dropped by more than 80% in recent decades, habitat restoration is more important than ever.

Through interactive lessons and propagation demonstrations, volunteers learned how to grow and care for milkweed at home. These newly acquired skills empower them to become habitat heroes—helping to build pollinator corridors across neighborhoods and public spaces that support not only monarchs but also bees, wasps, and other beneficial insects.

DID YOU KNOW?
Healthy pollinator populations are essential for over 75% of flowering plants and more than one-third of global food crops. Supporting species like the monarch butterfly isn’t just beautiful—it’s essential.

Why It Matters
Eco-Teer events like these highlight how small, local actions can have far-reaching ecological impact. From removing pollution that chokes marine life to restoring native plants that keep pollinator networks alive, every volunteer hour contributes to a more resilient environment.

Ready to get involved?

Join the movement to restore, protect, and rewild South Florida’s natural spaces.

Email EcoTeer Coordinator Ashley Vieira at [email protected] to sign up or learn more.

Eco-Teers Participate in First Flamingo Gardens Moth BioBlitz

April 26, 2025 marked an exciting milestone for Flamingo Gardens as the Flamingo Gardens Eco-teers took part in our very first BioBlitz event, hosted in collaboration with our outstanding Horticulture team. Organized by Botanical Curator Amy Reilly, the evening brought together a vibrant community of 89 participants, including entomologists, Master Gardeners, nature enthusiasts, and dedicated volunteers.

From 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM, the gardens came alive with activity as attendees worked hands-on to identify and document the incredible biodiversity found throughout Flamingo Gardens. Observation stations were set up to attract insects, which participants then recorded and identified using the iNaturalist app under the project name Flamingo Gardens BioBlitz 2025.

By the following morning, the team had logged an impressive 193 insect observations, representing approximately 60 different species! Each entry contributed valuable data to our growing understanding of the ecosystems thriving within the gardens and reinforced the importance of community science in environmental stewardship.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the magical release of Luna moths. Several moths were released onsite, adding an enchanting element to the nighttime gardens, while others were sent home with attendees to emerge and later be released in new locations, helping to support moth populations across the region.

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this inaugural BioBlitz: the Master Gardeners, the Flamingo Gardens Horticulture team, the Eco-teers, and all the volunteers and guests who brought their passion and curiosity to the event.

UF Master Gardener Volunteers – Class of 2025:
Lorna Bravo
Stephen Deegan

USDA Entomologists:
James Munroe
Julia Schwierking
Jose Gerena

Broward College:
David Serrano, PhD
Professor & Environmental Science BS Program Manager
Director, Broward College Insect Collection (BROW:BCIC)
Director, Broward College Botanical Collection (BROW:BCIC)

University of Florida:
Adam Pitcher
UF Entomologist

We are also deeply grateful to our dedicated Flamingo Gardens staff and volunteers:
Chris Maler, Senior Director of Horticulture
Amy Rielly, Botanical Curator
Anita Sobaram, Education Manager
Ashley Vieria, Eco-teer Coordinator
Flamingo Gardens Eco-teer Volunteers
Flamingo Gardens Horticulture Volunteers

Your support and enthusiasm for environmental education inspire us to continue offering engaging, community-driven experiences that connect people with nature in meaningful ways.

We look forward to hosting more BioBlitz events and other exciting programs soon. Stay tuned—and get ready to explore, learn, and make a difference!

To get involved and help create positive change in your community contact Ashley Vieira at [email protected] or call (954) 473-2955 x134.

Eco-Teers: An End To Winter and Jump Into Spring!

As winter came to a close, Eco-Teers stayed busy with impactful projects, community engagement, and climate education. Here’s a look back at all we accomplished during February and March.

Pollinator Gardens & Rain Barrels

On February 6th, thirty butterflies were released into the newly renovated pollinator garden at Memorial Hospital’s pavilion garden, marking the beginning of a thriving ecosystem designed to support local pollinators and beautify the space.

Eco-Teers followed this success with another garden renovation at Memorial West on February 22nd. Alongside the renovation, a Rain Barrel was installed to promote sustainable water use, and an additional 20 native plants were added, bringing the total to around 50. These efforts enhance habitats for pollinators and contribute to local biodiversity.

Climate Education & Awareness

On February 25th, Eco-Teers attended a virtual Climate Seminar led by Dr. Michael Falkowski, Program Manager of The NASA Wildland Fire Program. His discussion focused on the influence of climate change and human activity on global fire regimes, highlighting how land-use changes, fossil fuel consumption, and ignition sources are driving catastrophic wildfires. Inspired by this seminar, Eco-Teers are more committed than ever to projects that protect and restore our environment.

Community Cleanups & Water Conservation

We kicked off March with the International Waterway Cleanup Project at Anne Kolb Nature Center/Hollywood North Beach on March 1st. As Broward County’s largest and longest-running cleanup initiative, Eco-Teers proudly removed approximately 220 pounds of waste—four full 60-gallon garbage bags—from local waterways, helping to preserve our precious ecosystems.

On March 8th, Eco-Teers participated in the City of Sunrise’s Water Matters Day, where we connected with community members and other organizations to share our efforts in conserving water. We also promoted our ongoing Rain Barrel installations—if your organization or business is interested, reach out to us at [email protected].

We wrapped up the month with Earth Hour on March 22nd. Eco-Teers spread awareness about this global movement, where landmarks worldwide go dark for one hour to emphasize the importance of reducing energy consumption. Originally started in Australia, Earth Hour serves as a powerful symbol of collective action against climate change.

Thank You to Our Volunteers and Supporters!

Eco-Teers would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all our volunteers and donors who make these projects possible. Your support allows us to continue our mission of depicting, preserving, and providing education about the natural and cultural heritage of South Florida and the Everglades.

If you’d like to join us, email our Eco-Teer Coordinator, Ashley Vieira, at [email protected] or call us at 954-473-2955 ext. 134. Together, we’re making a lasting impact on our environment—one project at a time.

Eco-teers: New Year, New Projects!

Saturday, January 25th, 2025

Over the weekend, our dedicated Eco-Teers participated in a multitude of environmental projects that have significantly impacted our communities and natural landscapes. From composting workshops to restoring native habitats and educating the public on sustainable practices, our volunteers have demonstrated commitment and passion for protecting the environment.

One notable project, this past Saturday, involved attending a compost workshop in Miami led by Francisco Torres. This hands-on workshop enlightened our volunteers on the correct process of composting and ways it can be incorporated into daily life. This educational project will assist in our sustainability initiatives and future developments.

Sunday, January 26th, 2025

Another significant initiative was our Butterfly Garden installment at the pavilion of Memorial Hospital – West on Sunday the 26th, where volunteers planted a large amount of host and nectar plants for pollinators. This not only improved aesthetics for patients and staff at the hospital, but it also fostered a sense of community and environmental stewardship as well as reintroducing wildlife such as butterflies, birds, and native insects while providing shade.

In addition to hands-on projects, our volunteers have been instrumental in organizing educational workshops and outreach programs. These initiatives have raised awareness about environmental issues and equipped individuals with the knowledge and tools to make a positive difference in their own lives and communities.

We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our donors and volunteers, whose generous contributions have made these projects possible. Their financial support has provided the necessary resources for equipment, materials, and logistical needs, ensuring the success of our endeavors. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication. Your efforts are making a lasting impact on our environment and inspiring others to join in our mission for a greener, healthier planet.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Join us for our next adventure!

February Events:

  • February 1st, 2025 (Saturday) – Eco Action Day at Fern Forest
    • Eco-Teers will be removing invasives and waste. This project will be from 9AM to 12PM.
Location: 201 S Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33063
  • February 2nd, 2025 (Sunday) – Rain Barrell Install & Annual Gala
    • Eco-Teers will also be installing a rain barrel for the grant project to the memorial butterfly garden, installations to be announced with details in another email. I’m estimating for this same weekend, if not, the following.
    • Our Annual Food & Wine Gala, volunteers needed, sign up on signup.com
  • February 8th/9th 2025 (This weekend) – Volunteers will be installing another butterfly garden for Broward County Animal Care Dept. Humane Society was hoping to have their own butterfly garden at one of the shelters in honor of the animals. Date/Time pending. 
  • February 25th, 2025 (Tuesday) – Climate Change Seminar
    • Dr. Michael Falkowski, Program Manager of the NASA Wildland Fire Program, will address how climate change and human activity are changing fire regimes worldwide. 
Location: Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149

March Events:

  • March 1st, 2025 (Saturday) – Water Way Clean Up
    • EcoTeers will be participating in a waterway cleanup at Anne Kolb Nature Center from 9am to 12pm. More details to come!
  • March 22nd, 2025 (Saturday) – Native Plant Day, UF IFAS will be hosting a rain barrel workshop at Castellow Hammock Park and Nature Center

    • Learn about water conservation at the Rain Barrel Workshop during Native Plant Day on Saturday, March 22, hosted by the UF IFAS Miami-Dade Urban Horticulture Program. Held at one of Miami-Dade County’s scenic nature centers, this workshop highlights the benefits of rain barrels for sustainable gardening and provides practical tips on their use.

Register here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rain-barrel-workshop-at-native-plant-day-tickets-1087084672519

If you would like to join the Eco-teers for our next project, contact Ashley at [email protected] or call 954-473-2955 for more information.

Eco-teers: August Was a Flutter

On August 18th, the Eco-Teers engaged in a donation and butterfly garden planting event in collaboration with the Barbara Goleman Senior High School “Bionomics” club. The club has been seeking resources and support to develop a new, aesthetically pleasing garden at the school’s entrance. This project aims to create a vibrant garden that will serve as a welcoming habitat for native insects and plants.

Eco-Teers contributed 10 Gold Trailing Lantanas and 10 Red Lantanas to the initiative as well as multiple volunteers to help dig holes and aid with planting safely. Additionally, BGSHS received further support from a local nursery, which donated a variety of native plants including Purple Porterweed, Dwarf Firebush in several colors, and Pentas. Between 9 AM and 11 AM, volunteers and students successfully planted these 30 new specimens and removed older, struggling plants from the garden. We look forward to updating you on this project in the future as we intend to provide another set of volunteers to assist in reintroducing native pollinator plants.

A butterfly garden serves multiple purposes:

  • Habitat Creation: It provides essential resources like nectar and shelter for butterflies.
  • Biodiversity Support: By attracting a variety of butterfly species, it helps maintain local biodiversity and supports the ecosystem.
  • Pollination: Butterflies play a crucial role in pollinating plants, which benefits the surrounding flora and contributes to a healthier environment.
  • Educational Value: It offers an opportunity for learning about butterflies, their life cycle, and the importance of pollinators in ecosystems.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: With vibrant flowers and plants, a butterfly garden enhances the visual beauty of the space, creating a serene and colorful environment.
  • Community Engagement: It can serve as a focal point for community involvement and educational programs, fostering a connection between people and nature.

Future Projects to look forward to:

September 7th – Miramar Pineland – Invasives removal from 9AM to 12PM

September 21st – MEEC at Dania Beach/Hollywood – Coastal Cleanup (in honor of International Coastal Cleanup 2024) ALL DAY booth and beach cleanup event (projection 9AM to 3PM)

Eco-teers: Garden for Wildlife Habitats

Ecoteer’s participated with the City of Sunrise today in a “Garden for Wildlife Habitats” workshop with the hopes of getting the general public to certify their neighborhoods as “wildlife friendly habitats”. This event was held at Flamingo Park and lasted from 10 AM to 12PM. Part of encouraging the public to understand and create a wildlife friendly garden required informing them on how to initiate and maintain such an environment. They were educated on the importance of native plants (coontie, milkweed, salvia, etc.), how to grow them, and where to properly purchase natives as opposed to their look-alike invasive counterparts. This presentation also included the growth cycle and instructions on how to care for each of the many species. Much of the invitees, including EcoTeers, were lucky enough to take home a plant or two to grow in their own gardens and reintroduce wildlife back to formerly populated areas. It was estimated that we had 30-45 attendees and over 15 committed to certifying their neighborhoods online. We have also learned that our heat zone for Broward County has moved from a 10B to now an 11 so that directly correlates with the types of species that will thrive in our environment. This information will be a lead into our following projects toward the end of May and Early June. I’m looking forward to sharing all of those details with you as we grow the number of projects we practice monthly.

EcoAction at Central Broward Regional Park

Saturday February 24th 2023, EcoTeers participated in an EcoAction event day at one of our natural parks. Central Broward Regional Park held an invasives/waste removal from 9AM to 12PM. We were able to remove up to 100 pounds of Oyster Plant (Tradescantia Spathacea) also known for causing itching and irritating the skin of anyone who may touch the sap.

We also removed 150 pounds of plastic and other waste found at the park. Some objects to note (bottles, a bag full of dog toys stuck inside a bush, paper, straws, etc.). Volunteers were also educated on some of our native plants growing in the park such as our Smilax Vines and our Carolina Willow.

A total of 5 volunteers participated from Flamingo Gardens EcoTeers not including our Coordinator. As a whole 13 volunteers participated in making the park look safe and presentable for others walking through and for our wildlife. We look forward to participating in other EcoAction dates and to any prospective volunteers who wish to join.

For those looking forward to future events,

March is Water Matters Month in Broward County so we will be holding/.participating in events that align with water conservation purposes.

  • March 2nd will be a PUBLIC waterway cleanup, there will be a mass cleanup of our natural parks and waterways from 9AM to 12PM in honor of water matters month. We encourage all our EcoTeers to participate on their own if they are able. Anyone who wishes to participate in the public cleanup can find more information here: https://waterwaycleanup.org/
     
  • March 9th – Flamingo Gardens “EcoTeer” coordinator will be holding a booth for recruitment and education purposes at Tree Tops Park to celebrate “World Water Day” on March 22nd. Those who wish to apply as a volunteer or who have questions are welcome to visit. Our horticulture team will also be attendance at another booth during this event.
  • March 10th – EcoTeers will be hosting their very own waterway cleanup in honor of Broward County’s annual team cleanup. This event will be held at Dania Beach pier/marina from 9am-12pm. We’re looking forward to seeing our EcoTeers and any new faces who plan on attending. 

Eco-Teers: Southgate Meadow

Saturday January 27th from 3PM to 5PM EcoTeers participated in the Southgate Meadow reconstruction that has been going on for the last 2-3 years. We contributed by removing 3 plots of overrun weeds and invasive plants (such as Weedella and Richardia) in order for the meadow to be ready to plant new native species. We have seen incredible growth in some of the plants that were planted months ago and look forward to seeing how the newer ones develop over time as well. We had 3 volunteers participate in invasive removals and one other volunteer decided to stay late to do some identification work and log them into the app “INaturalist” that we use to keep track of all plant species we see develop in the area. We have also seen some improvement in bringing our wildlife back to this grassy area, there is now a family of burrowing owls nearby which are known to be a threatened species now as well as many different varieties of butterflies. February/March projects and events upcoming, stay tuned for more!