TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The City of Tampa is expanding its Green Team program for the next three years and doubling the number of members.

This expansion is made possible thanks to new funding made available through an AmeriCorps grant administered by Volunteer Florida.

The Green Team in Tampa is an initiative focused on environmental stewardship that advances sustainability and resilience within the community. According to a news release, the latest class of the Green Team has introduced 19 new participants starting their training on Monday.

“Initiatives such as this are central to our mission of Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow,” stated Mayor Jane Castor. “This group of young individuals is not only developing job skills but also assisting in environmental restoration, communicating with locals on preservation methods, and enhancing the city’s resilience for future generations.”

The last team, which consisted of nine members, graduated in July after a year of service in which they achieved significant milestones such as:

• Planting 375 trees and more than 9,400 plants
• Removing over 49,000 pounds of litter and debris from waterways and parks throughout the city
• Educating more than 4,500 residents and youth about environmental stewardship
• Earning professional certifications such as the Urban Agriculture Specialist Certification
• Supporting city initiatives, including Hurricane response efforts following last year’s storms.

The program will continue to provide meaningful impact and learning opportunities across the city.