Biodiversity Builders℠ is fiscally sponsored by the Tiny Seed Project, Inc. 501(c)3.

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 16 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.

2023 Biodiversity Builders

Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge combined program. Students planted 4 gardens, cleaned up and labeled 8 gardens, participated in 7 invasive pulls, learned how to design 2 garden templates, designed 3 home gardens (as part of independent projects), and sold 201 plants at their native plant sale!

2022 Biodiversity Builders

Arlington/Belmont Pilot Program & Cambridge MSYEP. Through two programs, students designed 4 and installed 3 gardens, cleaned up and labeled a handful of gardens, participated in 8 invasive pulls, helped host Jerry’s Pondfest, and sold 184 plants at their native plant sale!

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

  • “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. I am super excited to use the skills and knowledge I learned…”

    Krista Chan, College Mentor 2023

  • “It was amazing, I learned a lot. There was an atmosphere of learning and doing that wasn’t like school, because everyone was passionate about what we were doing.”

    Melvin Leventhal, 2023

  • “This program is an amazing way to learn about biodiversity, and also business. We met so many different inspiring environmentalists and were able to participate in helping them.”

    Ann Marie Guo, 2023

  • “[I] was blown away by how much Jean knows about her work. I learned a lot and hope to carry that knowledge with me into the future.”

    Leah Woolf, 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, 2023

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

    Lina Ye, 2023

  • “….I liked being able to feel and see the impact my work was having”

    Zac Girash, 2023

  • "This was the best job I had this summer. I learned so much about native plants and designing gardens, made good friends, and felt satisfied with the work I did. This program provides a great opportunity for learning the theory and practice of native gardening for people of all experience levels."

    Kira O’Neill, 2022

  • “All the locations were good, and I felt that I learned something different from every place we went. There was always something to do and someone new and knowledgeable to talk to.”

    Clara Buske Schneider, 2022

  • "Coming out of this program I can't help but notice different invasive plants as I drive and walk about my day. Working with these plants and learning about their impacts on local ecosystems has made me want to help more in bringing awareness to them."

    Malak Aquilar, College Mentor 2022

  • “I absolutely loved the program, it was non-stressful yet I knew I was doing valuable work. The work was gratifying and I learned a lot from experience outside.”

    Paige Gromfin, 2022

  • “Signing up for this program was the best decision I made this summer!”

    Leo Carpenter, 2022

Together, we build connections with native plants, pollinators, and people whom our students 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, while making friends and having fun along the way! Our 6-week program concludes with student presentations of independent projects and student evaluations of the program.

Biodiversity Builders℠ was created out of urgency to continue Jean’s mission to give students agency in environmental projects and policy. Since 2014 she has worked together with summer campers, high-school students, and college students to transform more than 60 plots of turf, ornamentals or invasives into healthy, biodiverse ecosystems.