Urban Paradise Guild, a non-profit organization founded by Sam Van Leer, is dedicated to rekindling natural habitats, environmental preservation and safeguarding the delicate balance between ecosystems and human activity.
Van Leer established Urban Paradise Guild in 2008 at age of 43. He was driven by a passionate mission to combat climate change’s impact on South Florida.
His vision, known as “Climate Active,” centers around transformative projects that benefit both humanity and wildlife, striving to create a better world.
Jackie Bonilla, co-leader of Urban Paradise Guild, emphasizes the importance of community engagement. She underscores the significance of understanding the sites they work on and forming successful partnerships with local stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures the sustainability and impact of their projects.
Urban Paradise Guild is deeply involved in the restoration of Arch Creek East Park. Their efforts involve removing invasive plants and species and breathing new life into the property.
The organization hopes to keep expanding its reach.
“We hope to go from being a small organization with purely volunteer staff to a somewhat large organization with professional staff that could launch a group of more than 100 volunteers,” said Van Leer.
