Connecting History and Sustainability: Haiti Grass Project at the Tallahassee Festival

On March 22, 2025, Better Universe and Citizens proudly hosted a booth at the Fourth Annual Tallahassee History Festival in Tallahassee, Florida. This annual event brings together historians, scholars and community members to explore historical events from around the world and within the local area.

One of the central topics featured at our booth was soil erosion in Haiti, an issue that traces back to the island’s colonial history. During the period of French and Spanish rule, vast areas of forest were cleared to harvest valuable hardwoods. Unfortunately, they did not replant the trees. In later years, deforestation continued as many Haitians relied on wood for charcoal production.

Our interactive booth featured colorful displays, side-by-side comparison images, educational posters and samples of grasses used in our restoration efforts. Through these engaging visuals, the Haiti Grass Project reached hundreds of festival-goers and Tallahassee residents, sharing our mission to reduce soil erosion and restore land in Haiti. We do this by planting deep-rooted perennial grasses and trees that help stabilize and rebuild the soil.

At Better Universe and Citizens, we believe that “Soil erosion in Haiti and elsewhere in the world can become a story of the past.” We are committed to forming new partnerships and spreading awareness to create lasting environmental change.

To learn more about the Haiti Grass Project or to find out how you can become a partner or contributor, please contact us at info@betteruniverseandcitizens.org.