Heart of Brevard is launching a Downtown Beautification Initiative to make downtown Brevard more vibrant, welcoming and cared for in every season. The first stage began on Tuesday, November 10, when volunteers planted daffodil bulbs in bulb-outs throughout downtown.

The daffodils will bloom in late winter and early spring, when little else is in color, and return year after year.

The Heart of Brevard board named downtown beautification a priority this year. With downtown planters no longer included in the city’s budget, Heart of Brevard is stepping in with a long-term, community-driven approach, working in partnership with the city of Brevard, downtown businesses and residents.

“Downtown Brevard belongs to all of us, and so does caring for it,” said Nicole Bentley, executive director of Heart of Brevard. “This initiative lets us step in where help is needed and build something that lasts.”

The planting is only the beginning. Over time, Heart of Brevard will lead aesthetic improvements downtown, including seasonal pole banners and decorations, fresh paint and other small projects that make a visible difference. Volunteers will help with hands-on work such as planting, weeding, cleanup days and litter pickup. The initiative will also complement the city’s existing adopt-a-green-space program by providing plants for those areas.

“We’re grateful to the city of Brevard and our downtown businesses for working alongside us,” Bentley said. “We hope everyone who loves downtown will join us.”

While plantings in the downtown bulb-outs focus on native species, Heart of Brevard acknowledges that daffodils are not native to the region. They were chosen because they are the best option for bringing color to downtown in late winter and early spring, and because they return year after year without replanting.

“We’re committed to native plants downtown, and we know daffodils aren’t one of them,” said Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof. “They bloom when little else does, require very little care and unlike annuals, they come back every spring. Most of the other plants in the bump-outs are native and provide support for our pollinators. What makes an initiative like this work is people pitching in. Whether it’s a morning of planting or adopting a green space of your own, I hope our community will lend a hand.”

Heart of Brevard is building a core group of volunteers who take pride in downtown and want a hands-on role in keeping it beautiful. It isn’t another committee, and it doesn’t require a big-time commitment. Some volunteers may join a few workdays a year; others may help more often or take on a project of their own. Downtown businesses, civic organizations and neighborhood groups are welcome to pitch in as teams.

“Think of it as a flower brigade with muddy knees and big smiles,” said Jeff Theriault, volunteer coordinator for Heart of Brevard. “You don’t need a green thumb, just a couple of hours and a willingness to get your hands dirty. We’d love to have you.”

Residents and downtown businesses can volunteer for Tuesday’s daffodil planting by signing up through the Heart of Brevard Website. Volunteeers will gather at the Heart of Brevard office and then break into team This first planting will bring the volunteer group together and lay the groundwork for an ongoing effort. Email [email protected] to learn more and join the email list for this initiative. 

Source: Heart of Brevard.