Branching Toward a Better Future: Tree Planting at Sirmon’s Lake with Accenture
Written by Take MAR
On April 28th, 2025, Take MAR teamed up with volunteers from Accenture for a meaningful tree planting at Sirmon’s Lake in St. Petersburg, Florida. Under a hot and sunny sky, our small but mighty team of seven volunteers dug deep - both into the soil and into their commitment to environmental restoration.
Over the course of the morning, volunteers planted 38 native trees: 20 South Florida Slash Pines and 18 Bald Cypresses. These trees were selected with the purpose to restore what was lost to recent hurricanes and to enhance the ecological health of the lake’s surrounding habitat for years to come.
The Bald Cypress, planted closer to the shoreline, are perfectly suited to the wetland environment. Known for their striking “knees” and resilience to flooding, these trees will help stabilize the soil, filter water, and provide essential shelter for waterbirds, amphibians, and aquatic species. The Slash Pines, planted further upland, will one day tower over the park, offering shade, shelter, and critical nesting habitat for birds and other wildlife.
The area was already teeming with life, such as turtles and ducks, with lots of recently hatched ducklings exploring the lakeside. A neighbor from the community joined us to lend a hand and shared that bird activity used to be even greater before recent storms damaged the canopy. Thanks to these newly planted trees, we hope to bring that abundance back.
Take MAR was also grateful to the City of St. Petersburg, who supported the event with a delivery of mulch and soil, ensuring the young trees had a healthy start. A heartfelt thank you to Accenture for sponsoring this tree planting and showing up with energy, enthusiasm, and a shared vision of regeneration. With each planting, we not only grow trees, but we grow community, connection, and hope.
