Biodiversity Builders℠ (BB) is an environmental education program designed to inspire and empower youth to be Earth Stewards and make an ecological impact in their communities. BB is committed to inclusion and diversity in our programming by providing an accessible, six-week, paid environmental internship to 18 high school students from Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge, who reflect a diverse range of demographics and environmental knowledge. Students learn how to: build and restore biodiversity and local ecosystems; identify, install, and remove native and invasive plants; design gardens using native plants; operate a business where they collectively define mission, vision and values and implement a large native plant sales event; and, advocate for nature-based solutions to climate change. Help us grow our program. Your donation ensures healthy youth development, biodiverse habitats, and a resilient community!

“I was so glad I was able to have a hands-on summer job with bosses who gave me a seat at the table and allowed me to share my opinions."

-Krista Chan, College Mentor 2023.

“It was amazing, I learned a lot. I got along with everyone better than I had hoped. There was an atmosphere of learning and doing that wasn’t like school, because everyone was passionate about what we were doing.”

-Melvin Leventhal, Arlington 2023

"It [Biodiversity Builders] also teaches students ways to promote biodiversity to people who do not understand the effects of a non biodiverse environment.”

-Lina Ye, Belmont 2023

“I think the program really managed to excite and inspire the students, myself included, regardless of prior familiarity with plants or gardening.”

-Ryan Yang, Cambridge 2023

The purpose of BB℠ is to give youth agency in solving environmental and societal challenges on a local level. Using project-based, youth-directed learning, we expose youth to nature and give them a connection to native plants, pollinators, and people whom they may not otherwise encounter - activists, entomologists, entrepreneurs, and stewards. On the science side, students learn ecology, plant-pollinator connections, soil health and climate change. On the business side, students learn how to build a business selling native plants, and designing and installing gardens for customers. We teach them how to navigate marketing, customer relations, finance and project management. We stand apart from other programs by offering guidance to teens from niche community leaders and exposing them to different types of conservation and environmental projects inside and outside of the city. Visit our website to see photos, learn more, and read what our students have to say!

The success of our programming is not possible without generous support and financial donations from community members like you! Thank you for believing in our mission and our students.

Biodiversity Builders℠ : educating our youth, saving our planet.

By Tiny Seed Project, Inc.

Biodiversity Builders℠ : educating our youth, saving our planet.