Alex leads CitySprouts’ afterschool and summer Green Team programs, drawing on over a decade of experience in environmental education. He’s passionate about using gardening to inspire curiosity, build life skills, and connect young people to nature and community. Outside of work, Alex enjoys jazz, spring walks with his dog, and exploring hidden green spaces around the city. Learn more about Alex in the blog!
Read MoreCitySprouts TerraCorps members are digging into a year full of hands-on learning, connection, and growth in Boston and Cambridge school gardens. Whether they came in passionate about the environment, curious about education, or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, each member has found something valuable through their service. From joyful moments with students to learning unexpected skills like plumbing or lesson planning, their days are filled with variety and purpose. Along the way, they’ve built stronger ties to their communities, discovered new strengths, and helped create spaces where kids can learn, grow, and thrive!
Read MoreMeet Kira Kueppenbender, CitySprouts’ TerraCorps Youth Education Coordinator for the 2024–25 service year! Kira brings curiosity and care to every school she visits, helping students explore worms, pumpkins, and the wonders of the natural world. Whether she’s leading lessons at Russell Elementary or spotting birds at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Kira is all about discovery, connection, and growth.
Read MoreMaddie brings heart, humor, and a hands-on spirit to every garden they support. As our Garden Operations Manager, they make sure every space has what it needs to thrive—tools, plants, and a whole lot of love. From welcoming new volunteers to dreaming up artful signs, Maddie helps turn our gardens into places where students and community members alike can grow, explore, and feel at home in the natural world.
Read MoreThis year’s Dig It! was bursting with joy, gratitude, and garden-grown love for the incredible educators who make our work possible. We celebrated longtime CitySprouts champions Janet Forte and LeRoy Attles, whose passion has inspired generations of young learners, and heard heartfelt reflections from chef and keynote speaker Irene Li. With nearly $30,000 raised and a room full of laughter, hugs, and shared stories, the night reminded us just how magical this community really is.
Read MoreHazel brings a love of the outdoors and a passion for growing food to every garden lesson. Now in her second year with CitySprouts, she finds joy in watching students grow more confident in the garden—from recognizing plants they planted as kindergarteners to high-fiving bumblebees. Whether she’s connecting cafeteria food to farms or encouraging students to notice nature in their neighborhoods, Hazel makes the garden a place of wonder, learning, and fun.
Read MoreSpring is here, and the garden is coming to life! Students are back outside, adding fresh soil, spotting early sprouts, and getting ready to plant the first seeds of the season. From uncovering hidden insects to planning their crops, there’s so much excitement in the air—check out the blog to see how the garden is growing!
Read MoreIn their second year with CitySprouts, Gavilán loves helping students step outside their comfort zones—whether trying new foods or exploring nature. They believe gardening teaches patience, care, and the joy of giving. Outside the garden, they enjoy libraries, fried plantains, and endless rounds of 20 Questions! FInd out more about Gavilán in the blog!
Read MoreMeet Jordan Finkelstein, our Senior Garden Educator at Peabody Elementary, Orchard Gardens, and Samuel Mason. He finds joy in watching kids recognize the plants they grew, make cultural connections through food, and embrace patience as they learn how things grow. Whether he’s debunking gardening myths, encouraging hands-on exploration, or advocating for more cargo pockets, Jordan makes every moment in the garden engaging and meaningful.
Read MoreMeet Stella Dzialas, our Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator serving through TerraCorps! Since joining CitySprouts in September, Stella has been a key part of keeping our gardens thriving. With a passion for urban green space and outdoor education, she brings her love for hands-on learning into everything she does. Learn more about Stella’s journey, her favorite foods, and her hopes for the future of garden education on the blog!
Read More
