Native Orchid Installation
Rio Vista Civic Association Native Orchid Project - A Community Success!
April 11, 2026.
Our project has been a tremendous success! Native orchids are now thriving throughout our Rio Vista neighborhood.
If you missed the background story, the project began in 2022 when we were inspired by the Million Orchid Project at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The Rio Vista Civic Association committed to a three-year program to repopulate our trees with native orchids that once flourished across South Florida. The board approved an extension to continue the project.
In addition to beautifying our neighborhood, native orchids help support and attract birds, butterflies, and bees. Unlike non-native varieties, native orchids can also self-propagate, allowing them to naturally spread over time.
Our first installation took place on July 16, 2022, and it was a tremendous success. More than 25 volunteers gathered that morning to learn how to properly attach orchids to trees, installing 150 orchids in a single day. A dedicated watering team also formed to ensure the orchids received the care they needed for a healthy start.
That first installation was only the beginning. Additional installations of 150 orchids were completed in 2022, 2023, 2024, and again in 2025.
Our volunteers have done an incredible job, and we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed their time and energy to this effort.
If you would like to volunteer to help install orchids on trees or join the watering team, we would love to hear from you. Your help is essential to ensuring the continued success of this project.
Can we count you in? Contact Lori Sterling at
