The Institute of Environment at Florida International University (FIU) and Sachamama offered the Fundamentals of Climate Leadership course, designed for students and community members. Over seven weeks, participants learned how to build healthier and more resilient communities.
From this initiative, the Florida Garden Workshop was born—an effort led by students and community members to plant native Florida trees to restore biodiversity spaces, improve local well-being, and strengthen social ties.
Through hands-on activities, students identified green spaces and tree planting as key community needs. Citizens for a Better South Florida joined forces with the group to bring this local solution to life, highlighting the role of green spaces in urban resilience.
Sachamama and FIU distributed 50 gardening kits and more than 150 native plants, providing families with the tools to create their own resilient gardens at home. In addition, seven climate fellows were trained to share their knowledge and promote local leadership in climate adaptation and responsible management.
