Growing Together: Phase 3 of Our Native Tree Planting on the Pinellas Trail
Written by Take MAR
On Friday, May 3, Take MAR returned to the Pinellas Trail for Phase 3 of our native tree planting project. With the help of 15 dedicated volunteers, we planted 73 trees along the trail, building on our commitment to transform this urban corridor into a greener, more resilient space for both people and wildlife.
What we planted:
66 native slash pines
7 mulberry trees
This planting would not have been possible without support from the City of St. Petersburg. Special thanks to Maeven Rogers and Dean Hay for helping make it happen! The City’s team helped auger through the tough topsoil and delivered mulch and soil directly to our planting sites, giving our volunteers the support they needed to focus on digging, panting, watering, learning, and connecting with the land.
Why this work matters
Every tree we plant along the Pinellas Trail helps strengthen our local environment. Native slash pines support wildlife, improve air quality, and bring back natural shade to the trail. Mulberries will one day provide food for birds and other species, while also creating a colorful and welcoming landscape for trail users.
As cyclists passed by throughout the morning, many slowed down to thank us for our work. Those words of encouragement meant the world to our team and volunteers, reminding us how visible and appreciated this project is.
The next generation shows up
We had some younger volunteers with us, and their involvement reminded us of why we’re planting trees in the first place; creating a better, greener future for the next generation. Their enthusiasm and commitment to the work was inspiring and helped us stay focused on the long-term impact we’re making.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this planting and to the City of St. Petersburg for partnering with us on this important work! Together, we’re creating lasting change.
Stay tuned for updates on the next phase of this project, and more ways to get involved with Take MAR. View our upcoming events!
