Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo Earned American Dream Award
The Presbyterian pastor was honored for her climate justice work and community service in Tampa.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Gardening
Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo, a Venezuelan immigrant and Presbyterian pastor, received an American Dream Award. She was recognized for her efforts connecting faith, climate justice, and community advocacy in Tampa.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the intersection of faith-based initiatives and local environmental stewardship. Her work bridges the gap between spiritual practice and practical efforts to improve neighborhood climate resilience.
Astudillo manages a faith and climate justice certificate program for Spanish speakers. She also helped launch the Friends of Epps Park group to advocate for tree planting and climate-resilient housing.
The players
Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo
She is a Presbyterian pastor and Venezuelan immigrant who coordinates climate justice programming for Spanish speakers.
First United Church of Tampa
This local religious institution maintains a garden used to demonstrate the connection between faith and environmental stewardship.
Friends of Epps Park
This neighborhood group was organized with Astudillo's assistance to promote tree planting and climate-resilient housing.
The details
Astudillo uses gardening as a practical tool to teach climate justice, utilizing the First United Church of Tampa garden which features papaya trees and tomatoes. Her leadership helped mobilize local residents to organize for improved neighborhood sustainability and housing standards.
Timeline
Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo received the American Dream Award in October 2026.
Culture Shift
This recognition reflects a broader shift toward integrating environmental stewardship into the traditional missions of faith-based organizations. It demonstrates how local leaders are moving from abstract advocacy to tangible community projects like neighborhood gardening and housing resilience.
Residents in Tampa may see expanded opportunities to participate in climate justice programs through the church's faith-based training sessions. The work of groups like Friends of Epps Park also provides a pathway for locals to get involved in neighborhood tree-planting efforts.
The takeaway
Integrating environmental care into daily life can foster stronger neighborhood connections and climate resilience. Residents interested in similar work can begin by seeking out local faith-based or community gardening initiatives in their area.
Further reading
Learn more about local sustainable initiatives at the Gardening section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Spectrum News Bay News 9.
