Delivering native plants and creating urban habitat in Southeast Arizona communities most impacted by urban heat
The Habitat on Wheels project started as an idea 3 years ago to create a “native plant food truck’ that would deliver free native plants to communities most impacted by urban heat while increasing urban habitat for birds and pollinators. Thanks to funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program grant and generous donor support, that idea has come to fruition.
PARTNERS
City of Tucson Million Trees Initiative
City of Tucson Storm 2 Shade Program
City of Tucson Parks and Recreation
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation
Pima County Public Libraries
Westgate Garden Design is the official sponsor of the Habitat at Home program and the Habitat on Wheels project for 2025. Thank you Westgate!
PROJECT GOALS AND ACTIVITIES
SAFE URBAN HABITAT FOR BIRDS AND POLLINATORS Retrofit a cargo trailer into an eye-catching mobile display and outreach unit that pops-up at local events, community centers, and neighborhoods to distribute free native plants and habitat-building resources
SUSTAINABLE GREEN SPACES Combat the heat island effect by increasing green spaces and infrastructure in communities most vulnerable to the effects of urban heat
CONNECTING FAMILIES TO NATURE Distribute free Community Science Birder Kits to check out at Pima County Public Library branches
URBAN BIRDING Engaging diverse communities in birdwatching with accessible urban birding field trips
LAND STEWARDSHIP Establish a Habitat at Home grant program to make the process of creating habitat at home more widespread and accessible