NFL Green Week events include building hydroponic farm, planting fruit tree orchard

The countdown to Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is on and numerous community environmental events will take place in the days leading up to the big game.

The events of Super Bowl Green Week focus on building community gardens, planting fruit trees, removing marine debris from the mouth of Tampa Bay, and restoring a coral reef.

The projects cap off a season of community greening projects implemented in the Tampa Bay area by NFL Green in partnership with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, NFL partners Verizon, Oikos Triple Zero, Castrol®, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee Sustainability Program presented by Tampa Electric under its Forever 55 social legacy initiative.

Green events address food security in Tampa Bay

Here’s what’s on the horizon in the Tampa Bay region, if you’re hoping to get involved:

Tuesday, January 26 – Reed Park Community Garden and Compost Center Build
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Environmental Education Center at Reed Park – 4398 N. Riverside Drive, Tampa
8am
The Environmental Education Center sits on the eastern shore of the Hillsborough River and is part of the South Seminole Heights Neighborhood. Community volunteers will work with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to install two hydroponic grow towers, build and plant garden beds and a pollinator garden.

They will also plant fruit trees and install a community compost area. The gardens and compost area will then be used by neighbors, volunteers and students as they participate in hands-on activities and learn how to grow fresh, healthy food and learn about nutrition and healthy eating.

Creating an orchard in the city of Tampa

Thursday, January 28 – Fruit Tree Orchard Planting
Mango Recreation Center, 11717 Clay Pit Road, Seffner, FL
8am

Nearly 50 assorted fruit trees will be planted near the Mango Recreation Center, creating an orchard that will provide nutritional snacks and educational opportunities for the children who use the center.

The center provides after school programs and offers gardening, nature-based programming and education about nutrition in addition to team building programs that stress fun and sportsmanship. Community volunteers will join staff from Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and Hillsborough County Parks to plant the fruit tree orchard.

Keep up with all the Super Bowl fun by visiting the official Super Bowl LV website.