Ecological Literacy Ambassador
Annual Award co-sponsored by Refugia
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What is an Ecological Literacy Ambassador? It’s an annual public project that is focused on building connectivity, understanding and climate resiliency within neighborhoods.
Why it matters: We are facing two enormous environmental crises—climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Our response is a call-to-action to create more landscapes that fulfill key ecological responsibilities; support food webs, sequester carbon, clean and manage water, and support pollinators.
What is Ecological Literacy?
Ecological Literacy Ambassadors foster an understanding of nature’s systems and inspire communities to act responsibly and live sustainably together.
Why leave leaves? Where do bees go in winter? What does milkweed look like and why does it matter?
Cultivating an awareness of the symbiotic relationships between the landscape and its pollinators, or the jobs a landscape can do, is proven to model behaviors of curiosity and caring in all ages while research tells us that early childhood exposure to plants is invaluable for building future stewards of the natural world.
How does Refugia provide support?
Refugia supports Ecological Literacy Ambassadors through the donation of materials, labor and project management to support matching funds. We also provide ongoing outreach and learning via interpretative signage, on-site stewardship training and seasonal consults for the long-term success of all projects.
What makes a project climate resilient?
Landscapes that reduce inputs (think less mowing, irrigation, fertilizing, ornamentals/annuals) and maximize impact (sequester carbon, support diverse communities of pollinators, food web and ecosystems while managing the watershed) are climate resilient. These landscapes can be in ground, utilize containers, combine permeable hardscaping and/or provide important areas to gather or play.
How do climate resilient landscapes create a broader impact?
Climate resilient landscapes become more powerful when working together as part of a larger network or greenway. Size is less important than connectivity when measuring impact! Instead, ‘stepping stone’ habitats are essential to creating biological corridors of connectivity for wildlife and beneficial insects and connecting existing wildlands with each other. Underused spaces between buildings become ecologically mighty when we create connectivity between plants, people and purpose!
Our 2025 Ecological Literacy Ambassador:
Upper Providence-Media Library Rain Garden
Our team elevated the project’s functional goal of stormwater management into an interactive immersive all-season rain garden. Utilizing locally sourced materials and educational signage to inspire a-ha’s from all ages, this project increased neighborhood access to nature while enhancing comfort and curb appeal from the entry plaza. This project was made possible via a township grant and Refugia’s donation of labor and materials.
2026 Ambassadors
We are looking for 2026 Ambassadors! This project will be awarded and planted fall 2026. Are you a community partner looking to rejuvenate public space in your neighborhood? Let’s work together!
Co-Sponsor
Want to co-sponsor a project? We’d love to hear from you!
Refugia partners with 501(c)(3), for-profit businesses, local government, foundations, public gardens and philanthropists whose values align with our mission. Please contact us if you are interested in co-sponsoring a project.