Touch Grass Alachua
Touch Grass Alachua

A teen-led nonprofit in Alachua County

Get outside.Find joy.Lead change.

Touch Grass Alachua is run entirely by students. We get kids and teens outside through community nature events, stewardship in local preserves, parks, and outdoor spaces, and building community in the outdoor space.

Join Touch Grass See the calendar
About sixty teens with glow sticks pose on the Buchholz field under the moon and stars
BHS Teen Stargazing Night, Buchholz High School, October 15, 2026

Our numbers

7public outdoor events and group service activities
246+kids and teens served or anticipated to be served
90volunteers
110Nature Explorer Kits given out
50plants adopted through Adopt-a-Plant
$400in-kind donations received
About usOur mission, how we started, and what members do. CalendarUpcoming events, including our next kit giveaway walk. What we've doneStargazing, park events, and invasive plant removal.

Photo contest

Show us how you touch grass

Post a photo of yourself at one of our events, or show us how you spend time in nature. Hiking, gardening, birding, a walk around the block all count.

  1. Post your photo or short video on Instagram.
  2. Tag @touchgrassalachua and use #TouchGrassAlachua.
  3. We'll feature our favorites on our page and this website.

Deadline is November 18, 2026. Prize to be announced. Entrants under 18 need a parent or guardian's permission to post. By tagging us you agree that we may share your entry.

From our Instagram

See more at @touchgrassalachua
Touch Grass, a student-led get outdoors initiative, with photos from Sweetwater Preserve and Tuskawilla Prairie Our mission is to get Gainesville kids and teens outside What we've been up to, Pancakes on the Prairie activities and invasive species removal

Our mission

Touch Grass Alachua is a youth-led nonprofit organized for charitable and educational purposes promoting youth wellness, nature connection, environmental leadership and stewardship, outdoor learning advocacy, and nature-based service in Alachua County.

Our meetings are spent on service, building an outdoor community, and teaching stewardship. Members pitch their own ideas and the group helps turn them into events.

Outdoor CommunityBuilding community through time outdoors.
Youth-Led StewardshipCaring for local parks, wetlands, and rivers.
Nature EducationHands-on science and nature skills for kids.
Promoting WellnessSupporting youth wellness through nature connection.

Our timeline

  1. January 2026

    Jubili pitches a get-outside initiative for the ReThink Community Service Fellowship, co-sponsored by Lyfehouse and the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.

  2. February to March

    Through ReThink and collaborations with Alachua Conservation Trust, Gainesville Park and Recreations, Key Club/Circle Key, and local stores, Touch Grass begins as a get outdoors initiative. Jub recruits volunteers to plan two major service events.

  3. April 4

    Nature Activity Pop-Up Booth. In collaboration with Alachua Conservation Trust's Pancakes on the Prairie at Tuskawilla Cabin.

  4. April 19

    Gainesville Greenway Challenge. Invasive plant removal at Sweetwater Wetlands Park.

  5. May 30

    ACT Creek Family Fest with Alachua Conservation Trust. Planned, but rained out.

  6. June

    Nonprofit formed. The youth board forms, and Touch Grass Alachua becomes an official nonprofit.

  7. June 28

    Eco-Maker Magic. Our first official event as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, at Albert Ray Massey Park.

  8. Fall

    The Buchholz High School chapter opens, with Mr. Pettit as sponsor.

  9. September 6

    A small TGA group joined a local bird walk and identified binocular needs.

  10. September 9

    The Explorer Backpack-a-thon. 40 teen volunteers, including many freshmen, build 65 outdoor explorer backpack kits. See what's inside a backpack.

  11. September 12

    TGA Discovery Booth at ACT Family Fest. The first 35 Explorer Kits go out at Bubbe's Secret Garden.

  12. September 16

    Guest speaker Ema Olmos of Alachua Conservation Trust introduces ACT's year-round Young Leaders in Wild Florida program. Several members join the program. Still want to sign up? Email us.

  13. October 15

    BHS Teen Stargazing Night. Rescheduled after the October 2 date was rained out. 63 teens on the Buchholz field with UF Astronomy.

  14. Friday, October 23

    Kits for Kids thru ACT Creek. 29 Explorer Kits went to the ACT Creek program.

  15. November 6

    Nature Walk at Turkey Creek Preserve & Explorer Kit Dropoff for ACT Creek. A teen community walk with 7 volunteers/participants and an additional 46 Explorer Kits dropped off for the ACT Creek program, with 46 kids anticipated to be served.

  16. January 2027

    A kayaking river cleanup.

Lessons learned

Plan for the weather

Three of our events were rained out. We rescheduled and made sure donated supplies did not go to waste.

Everyone can lead

Everyone has a talent and can lead. When a member brings an idea, the rest of us are behind them.

Calendar

Upcoming and past events

Tap an event to read about it.

October 2026

Special eventService planning meetingRain / weather

Coming up

  • Every other WednesdayService planning meeting

    Mr. Pettit's room, Buchholz High School. Members plan upcoming service projects and events. Meeting dates are marked in sage green on the calendar.

  • Later in 2026, date to comeOutdoor walk

    A guided nature walk.

  • January 2027, date to comeKayaking river cleanup

    Members paddle a local river and pull trash from the water and banks.

Explorer Kit goal

110 givenTarget 150 in 2026
35 at Bubbe's Garden75 to ACT Creek: 29 October 23, 46 November 6

Event log

What we've done

Every event is planned and run by students, and every event gets people outside enjoying nature.

Explorer Kit goal

110 givenTarget 150 in 2026
35 at Bubbe's Garden75 to ACT Creek: 29 October 23, 46 November 6

Activities we've run

Science
  • Bug exploration: catching bugs with nets and bug viewers, then examining them under handheld microscopes
  • The science of cyanotype sun printing
  • Telescope stargazing with UF Astronomy
  • Outdoor Nature Explorer Backpack Kits with a mini field guide, bug catcher nets, bug viewers, sun print kits, and a compass
Art
  • Painted wooden eggs and bunnies for an eco-friendly Easter
  • Hand-painted plant pots
  • Pollinator potion necklaces made by crushing aromatic Florida herbs and flowers
  • Marshmallow constellations
  • Arts booth
Gardening
  • Adopt-a-Plant with zinnias, basil, rosemary, and other herbs
  • Seed balls with native wildflower seeds
  • Native Florida plants and herbs
Conservation
  • Invasive coral ardisia removal at Sweetwater Wetlands Park
  • Water squirters upcycled from plastic bottles
Outdoor exploration
  • Compass scavenger hunt
  • Joined a local bird walk
  • Teen community nature walk at Turkey Creek Preserve
  • Stargazing with tents and picnic blankets
Wellness and community
  • Starbathing for mental health booklets
  • Singing and storytelling under the stars
  • Galaxy boba lemonade and starry night marshmallow cocoa
Teen volunteers pose beside a display of green Explorer Kit backpacks at Alachua Conservation Trust Seven participants stand in a circle with their shoes together on a wooden floor Animal tracks in the sandy ground at Turkey Creek Preserve A participant points to an animal track in the sand

Friday, November 6, 2026

Nature Walk at Turkey Creek Preserve & Explorer Kit Dropoff for ACT Creek

Turkey Creek Preserve

7volunteers/participants
46additional Explorer Kits dropped off
46kids anticipated to be served

A teen community nature walk at Turkey Creek Preserve brought together 7 volunteers/participants. As part of the same event, an additional 46 Nature Explorer Backpack Kits went to the ACT Creek program, with 46 kids anticipated to be served, bringing the total kits given out in 2026 to 110.

Explorer Kit contents laid out on a green drawstring backpack, with numbered labels: 1 bug net, 2 extra sunprint paper in a black bag, 3 mini sunprint kit, 4 clear sheet for holding down sunprint paper, 5 compass, 6 pine cone and stick, 7 magnifying glass, 8 bug viewers, 9 Touch Grass sticker, 10 original TGA field guide, 11 the green backpack tote itself A box packed with green drawstring Explorer Kit backpacks and a bag of paintbrushes

Friday, October 23, 2026

Explorer Kit Dropoff for ACT Creek

29Explorer Kits dropped off
29kids anticipated to be served

A box of 29 Nature Explorer Backpack Kits went to the ACT Creek program.

What's in October's Explorer Backpacks

  1. Bug catching net: catch insects to look at up close
  2. Extra sunprint paper: more paper in the black bag, for prints to try at home
  3. Mini sunprint kit: make cyanotype prints of leaves and flowers using sunlight
  4. Clear sheet: lay it on top to hold your sunprint paper and leaves flat in the sun
  5. Compass: find your way on a trail or a compass scavenger hunt
  6. Small pine cone and stick: for crafts or to decorate your garden
  7. Magnifying glass: see tiny details on bugs, leaves, and bark
  8. Bug viewers: hold a bug for a closer look, then let it go
  9. Touch Grass sticker: a memento to remember to get outside
  10. Original TGA field guide: activities written by our members, including bug biodiversity, explorer challenges, a compass mapping adventure, a Leave No Trace scavenger hunt, and cyanotype sun printing
  11. Green drawstring backpack tote: carries the whole kit on your next outdoor adventure
ScienceArt
Group photo of about sixty teens with glow sticks under the moon and stars A student looks through a large telescope at dusk The crescent moon seen through a telescope eyepiece Students with telescopes on the field under a moonlit sky Students gathered around a telescope on the track at sunset

Thursday, October 15, 2026, 6:45 to 9 pm

BHS Teen Stargazing Night

Top field, Buchholz High School

63teens attended*
18student volunteers
3UF astronomy volunteers
2community volunteers

*Teen volunteers also attended in shifts.

Rescheduled after the October 2 date was rained out. An evening celebration observing the night sky. Dr. Triana Almeyda of the UF Department of Astronomy led the stargazing, and Mr. Pettit kept it educational. Students set up tents and picnic blankets on the top field and enjoyed star-themed snacks and crafts, including galaxy boba lemonade, starry night marshmallow cocoa, and constellation snacks. Teens viewed stars through high-power telescopes, learned constellations, and took home star stickers and zine guides, along with singing, storytelling, and starbathing booklets for mental health. Many attendees said afterward how strong the sense of camaraderie and community was.

ScienceArtWellness
Volunteers celebrate behind their activity table in the garden The Bubbe's Secret Garden park sign Families visiting tents among the garden plants
Explorer Kit photo coming soon

September 12, 2026

TGA Discovery Booth at ACT Family Fest

Bubbe's Secret Garden, Gainesville

35Explorer Kits given out
40kids reached
9teen volunteers
4community volunteers

Our booth at Alachua Conservation Trust's Young Leaders for Wild Florida and Creek Family Fest. A team of 9 teen volunteers and 4 community volunteers distributed 35 Nature Explorer Kits and helped kids make seed balls and pollinator potion necklaces. Kids caught bugs with nets and bug viewers and examined them under handheld microscopes. Mollie led a compass scavenger hunt through the garden.

Explorer backpack distribution for garden exploration.

ScienceArt

September 9, 2026

The Explorer Backpack-a-thon

40teen volunteers
65Explorer Kits made

40 teen volunteers contributed to making 65 Nature Explorer Backpack Kits for distribution. See what's inside a backpack.

ScienceArt
Volunteers jumping and smiling in front of the Touch Grass Alachua banner Two kids show their blue cyanotype sun prints at a picnic table Volunteers help kids make water squirters from recycled bottles Kids at the pollinator potion and plant adoption table

Sunday, June 28, 2026, 11 am to 2 pm

Eco-Maker Magic

Albert Ray Massey Park

35kids served
20plants adopted
4volunteers
2community volunteers
Freeopen to all ages

Our first official event as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, where kids came to make, grow, and explore. Tiffany, Rithik, Mollie, and Jubi volunteered on site. Kids made water squirters from recycled bottles, adopted basil and rosemary in hand-painted pots, made pollinator potion necklaces, looked at bugs under handheld microscopes, and learned the science of cyanotype sun printing.

ScienceArtGardening

June 2026

Board and Nonprofit Behind-the-Scenes Management and Planning

6community volunteers
6teen volunteers

Behind-the-scenes board meetings to launch Touch Grass Alachua as a nonprofit and begin planning our events.

Large group of student volunteers with buckets and bags of removed plants Volunteers pulling plants among palmettos Volunteers working in the wetland forest Volunteers carrying buckets through the woods

Sunday, April 19, 2026, 10 am to 12 pm

Gainesville Greenway Challenge

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

25total volunteers
3Gainesville Parks staff assisted
5bags of invasive plants
4schools

Invasive Species Removal Day, a pre-Earth Day effort to remove coral ardisia and restore our freshwater wetland, with Gainesville Parks and Recreation. No prior experience was needed. Jub collaborated with UF Circle K and Buchholz Key Club, who sent volunteers for the invasive pull. Site lead James Eddy explained how invasive plants affect the wetland. Parks staff said it was one of the largest student groups they had seen.

Conservation
Families gather at activity tables beside a log cabin Kids painting wooden bunnies at a long table Teens and adults crowd around the activity table Kids decorating pots and flowers to take home at the activity table

April 4, 2026

Nature Activity Pop-Up Booth

Tuskawilla Cabin, Micanopy

35people served, ages 2 to college
30plants adopted
4teen volunteers
2community volunteers

Our first booth, in collaboration with Alachua Conservation Trust's Pancakes on the Prairie. Kids painted wooden eggs and bunnies as an eco-friendly Easter activity, potted zinnias and herbs, explored leaves with microscopes, and made pollinator potion necklaces. High school and college students joined in too.

ScienceArtGardening

Our team

Run by students

Member spotlight

Coming soon

Each month we'll feature a different member.

MVP Awards

Coming soon

Leadership board

Updates coming soon.

  • JubiliJubiliFounder and Director
  • MollieMollieDirector of Events Coordination
  • MarinaMarinaEvent Lead
  • RithikRithikOperations and Outreach Coordinator
  • TiffanyDirector of Wellness and Mental Health
  • LylaDirector of Hospitality
  • Open roleTreasurer. Interested? Join us
  • Open roleCorresponding Secretary. Interested? Join us
  • Open roleRecording Secretary. Interested? Join us
  • Open roleWebsite and press releases. Interested? Join us

What's your talent?

Every member brings something. Here are some of the talents behind our events so far.

  • Partnerships, rainy day planning, and field guide authorJubili
  • Emcee and compass scavenger huntMollie
  • Outreach and telescope photographyRithik
  • Inspirational storytellingSean the Bard
  • Cocoa & ConversationTiffany
  • Hospitality, booth ops, and galaxy lemonade concoctionsLyla
  • Art & Style DirectorRuby
  • Hands-on science craftsSkye and Ada
  • PhotohistoriansGrace and Maya
  • Social media liaison and kit illustratorKate
  • Your talent hereJoin us

Advisor

  • Mr. PettitBuchholz chapter sponsor, AP Environmental Science

Merch

Wear Touch Grass

Every purchase helps pay for Explorer Kits and event supplies.

Touch Grass Alachua artwork, a hand holding a dandelion with seeds blowing away under the hand-lettered name
Touch Grass artwork
Hand-drawn dandelion design used on our shirts. Price and sizes to come.
Touch Grass Alachua logo, a hand holding a dandelion with seeds blowing away
Our logo
Stickers and other items may follow.

Our T-shirt production goal is December 2026 for regular volunteers and members. To order a shirt, contact us with your size. Members get theirs at chapter meetings.

Get involved

Join Touch Grass

Our Buchholz High School chapter holds service planning meetings every other Wednesday in Mr. Pettit's room. In the summer we run activities independently, and students from any school are welcome at our community events. Fill out the interest form and we'll reach out about the next meeting or event.

Open the interest form
Join code COMING SOON

Interested in our larger service projects, or want to start a Touch Grass chapter at your own school? Contact us and we'll help you get started.

Log your service hours

Members can record volunteer hours from each event. Your sponsor uses this log to sign off on school service hours.

Service hours form (link coming soon)
Follow along

Event photos and announcements go up on Instagram first.

@touchgrassalachua

Press

News and press releases

Announcements from Touch Grass Alachua and coverage of our events. Members of the media can reach us through the Contact tab.

  • Coming soon

Shout outs

Thank you

Touch Grass runs on the generosity of our community. These are the people and organizations who made our events possible.

Donations and support
  • We thank Ms. Wendy Mesa and Dr. Keira Simmonds for mentorship at the early stages of the Touch Grass Alachua initiative.
  • We thank Renee from The Home Depot for supporting our Adopt-a-Plant events with planting supplies.
  • We thank James Eddy, site lead, and Darby, liaison, of Gainesville Parks and Recreation for hosting the Greenway Challenge.
  • We thank UF Circle K and Buchholz Key Club for collaborating with us and sending volunteers for the invasive pull at the original Gainesville Greenway Challenge.
  • Shout out to Mr. Pettit and Mr. Hartman, BHS science teachers, for incentivizing experiential learning through the invasive plant pull.
  • We thank Lyfehouse for in-kind donations for our Nature Explorer Backpack Kits.
  • We thank Ema Olmos from ACT for offering the Young Leaders in Wild Florida program and volunteer opportunities for our club.
  • We thank Keary Clancey from ACT Creek for advice on Nature Explorer Backpacks and for pledging donations for future Explorer Backpacks.
  • We thank the UF Department of Astronomy and Dr. Triana Almeyda for donating their time to Teen Stargazing Night, along with UF volunteers Ethan Bhula and Mario (Antonio Daley).
  • We thank Dr. Arjun Bamzai of UF Health Shands Starke Pediatrics for donating pizza for Teen Stargazing Night.

We also thank the ReThink Community Service Fellowship and the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.

Member shout outs

Thank you to every student who has volunteered at an event, from setting up tables to leading activities.

BHS Teen Stargazing Night

  • Shout out to Sean the Bard for his storytelling to close out the night.
  • Shout out to Leaf for playing guitar.
  • Shout out to Skye and Ada for Hands-On Science Craft Design, including their marshmallow chocolate constellations.
  • Shout out to Ruby for the crafts table and the logo t-shirt design.
  • Shout out to Lyla and Tiffany for the amazing hot cocoa and galaxy lemonade.
  • Shout out to Mr. Pettit for making Stargazing Night so awesome and staying late on a weeknight.

Want to give someone a shout out? Send it to us.

Community organizations we have collaborated with or received in-kind donations from

Alachua Conservation Trust Gainesville Parks and Recreation UF Department of Astronomy Lyfehouse UF Circle K The Home Depot

Contact

Reach out

Questions, partnership ideas, larger service projects, starting a chapter at your school, or a gift you'd like to make. We'd love to hear from you.

Email the team
touchgrassalachua@gmail.com
Other ways to reach us

Message us on Instagram at @touchgrassalachua, or come to a service planning meeting every other Wednesday in Mr. Pettit's room.