At its June 2025 meeting, the CSSA Board of Directors approved a new grant program, proposed by the Affiliates Committee, to expand educational opportunities within our member communities. Through this program, active Affiliate Societies may apply for up to $1,000 in funding to support the development of meaningful educational programs or events designed to inspire the next generation of cactus and succulent enthusiasts.
The article below highlights how one of our Affiliate Societies is already bringing the love of cacti and succulents into local schools.
Tucson Club Introduces Kids to Plant Science
“If I swallow a saguaro seed, will it grow in my stomach?” That’s a typical question the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society (TCSS), K-12 Education Outreach team has received from their students during their 25+ years of serving Southern Arizona communities.
Throughout the school year, the TCSS volunteer team is invited to STEM Family Nights at schools where they provide hands-on activities for the students. At the events, they’re surrounded by park rangers from the National Park Service, scientists from The University of Arizona, engineers from Raytheon, astronomers and experts from other technical fields, as well as the ever-popular slime makers. TCSS’s most popular activities are building models of saguaro cactus and creating saguaro seed terrariums.
Arizona schools have a requirement for learning about the State’s flora and fauna, so TCSS frequently receives requests to teach in classrooms at public and home schools.
One district has a year-round school calendar, so TCSS participates in their mid-semester camps. The students at one school refer to the volunteers as the “cactus people,” and make them feel like rock stars. They also participate in summer camps run by local schools, towns, museums, Tucson’s Presidio and the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF) organization.
The Tucson club has worked tirelessly turning a seven-acre, county gravel pit into a beautifully landscaped park. It includes 7,000 rescued plants and a spectacular ADA compliant labyrinth. They offer grants to schools for bus transportation for tours of Prickly Pear Park. It has an interesting cholla maze, a STEM garden, paths, picnic areas, wildlife and more. More information on this project can be found here.
The Tucson club also encourages local schools to apply for a grant if they’re interested in establishing a school garden. Funds can be used for soil, plants, tools, etc. TCSS requires the schools to involve the students in the design, planting, care and maintenance, and to encourage parents and community members to participate, too.
Another fun part of TCSS’s work is the annual science fair sponsored by SARSEF. Their team judges cactus and succulent science projects from K-12 students. Winners are awarded cash prizes, a TCSS family membership and other goodies. What imaginations! Additional information and ideas can be found at tucsoncactus.org.
📩 Interested in developing an education project for your club? CLICK HERE for full details and application guidelines.
Applications are open to all current CSSA Affiliate Societies through the end of 2026. Selected projects will be highlighted in To The Point, giving Affiliates an opportunity to showcase their work and inspire others.
Let’s work together to cultivate curiosity and nurture the next generation of cacti and succulent enthusiasts!
