art (c) Kari Percival
The Urban Biodiversity Alliance (TUBA!) has launched a brand new microhabitat network Bee Here Now! in Metro North Boston, starting with environmental justice (EJ) neighborhoods in Malden and Melrose. We welcome community partners, residents and volunteers like you to help create habitat for rare native bee species, butterflies, pollinators and other wildlife as part of BEE HERE NOW!
The microhabitat steward program will plant 10 microhabitat garden sites between 2026-2029 – these sites can be front lawns, median road strips, conservation land, school grounds, anywhere where you have permission to let plants mature for 3 years. We are currently seeking 5 additional residential planting sitesand loads of pollinator volunteers!
Everyone who participates can be part of our pollinator steward workshops and training. As part of volunteering on the project, you will be invited to workshops that TUBA will offer to learn about native bees, invasive plants, native plants, bats, soil, birds, saving seeds. And together we will make observations of pollinators and wildlife presence throughout the habitat transformations.
Together, we will tend biodiverse gardens in our communities, neighborhoods, front yards, median road strips, workplaces, faith communities, vacant lots or schools. Please fill out the form for more info. First site placements will go to people from historically marginalized backgrounds but anyone is welcome to apply. People are also welcome to donate for a plant pack for an area they choose. In May-June 2026 TUBA only has 5 free slots left open for new site locations.
What is a microhabitat?
A microhabitat is considered to be a localized and small scale environment that supports a distinct flora and fauna and acts as a thermal buffer to changes in climate. It can be as small as a few centimeters wide, a hollow space in a tree, a single tree or something up to a couple meters wide. Bee Here Now will support rare bee species, butterfly and pollinator species, birds, bats and other wildlife.
Mission of TUBA:
We protect and increase biodiversity in our communities for more livable cities through discussion and community action in Metro North Boston and beyond!
Formed in 2023, The Urban Biodiversity Alliance organizes for biodiversity with a social ecology lens and a collaborative community organizing approach; we work to create a local narrative that will increase support for biodiversity, climate, and conservation on the local level. TUBA is a network of students and learners and maintain a culture of skill-sharing to foster community organizer leadership development.
TUBA aims to be a hub for resources and change. We make science accessible by connecting people of all ages to nature, academics to community-based learning, and offer affordable, easy-to-access workshops. We believe in cross pollinating! Through community partnerships, we amplify and elevate biodiversity efforts for more livable cities.
TUBA! is a non-profit that educates and advocates for biodiversity and conservation. You can apply to volunteer, grow and donate plants or host a native plant microhabitat garden site by filling out this form. Your responses are private and kept only by TUBA.
This project is funded in part by community donations and by a grant from villageandwilderness.org microhabitat grant program.
www.villageandwilderness.org/resources-microhabitat-program-manual/