Person holding a young gandule plant with elongated leaves outdoors.
Person holding a young gandule plant with elongated leaves outdoors.

Garden Design and Urban Ecology Curriculum

Working alongside educators and K–8 students, I design school gardens and develop urban ecology curriculum that connects students to the natural world around them. From pollinator-friendly plantings and culturally relevant edible plants like gandules and callaloo to identifying city trees, learning about local wildlife, and exploring urban ecosystems, these experiences help students understand how nature thrives in cities and how we can care for it.

Multiple pages of a story or book about gandules (pigeon peas) plants and cooking, with illustrations.
Multiple pages of a story or book about gandules (pigeon peas) plants and cooking, with illustrations.

Gandules in the Garden, A Zine by Karina Vásquez and Gabbie Cidras

Plants feed, clothe, shelter, and heal us. Inspired by my mother’s experience tending to gandules seeds sent by my Titi, this zine honors the Puerto Rican diaspora and anyone who longs for their ancestral home. Made possible in part by community donors and grants, Gandules in the Garden will be printed and distributed at local community gardens and schools.

A plate filled with sliced yellow beets on a white marble surface.
A plate filled with sliced yellow beets on a white marble surface.

Non-Profit and Local Organizations Marketing Support

I partner with food justice and environmental nonprofits to strengthen their storytelling and digital presence. From social media strategy and website optimization to newsletters and other marketing tools, I help mission-driven organizations connect with their communities and amplify their work.