About Us
Our Story
In the Plant Xchange story, kindled by a shared love for gardening and community at a G.L.I.T.S event, a community-centric tale unfolds.
Amidst the December 2020 lockdown, Taylor and Russell orchestrated a unique event at Soft Surplus in Ridgewood. Prioritizing community safety, personalized appointments were arranged for individuals to collect a free plant.
Joined by friends Simone and Makayla, Plant Xchange emerged as a community-driven initiative with a mission to enhance collective mental health and foster a connection to nature in urban landscapes. It embodies the strength of communities uniting for a common cause.
What We Do
We propagate free plants and distribute them among our members and the wider community. We also provide educational literature to help individuals learn about plant care, gardening techniques, and sustainability practices. We intentionally target our outreach towards marginalized communities to create gardening spaces that are accessible and safe for all.
Our Members
Russell Rovira
Russell, the co-founder of Plant Xchange, established the initiative in 2020 to provide support during the pandemic. With a passion for research and learning, Plant Xchange serves as an outlet for his interests. Russell is currently pursuing studies in international studies and public policy. He works in horticulture and interior design with private clients. Outside of his endeavors, he adores his two cats.
Makayla Marchese-Reilly
Makayla, from Brooklyn, NY, is an integral member who has been a part of the collective since 2020. She supports Plant Xchange in several areas, including plant propagations, administrative duties, and event coordination. Her dedication is rooted in a passion for distributing plant education and renewing the connection between communities and nature. Beyond her contributions to Plant Xchange, Makayla is an artist and is also working towards a certification in Horticulture through Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Residing in Queens alongside her partner, Makayla shares her home with her cherished companions: Casper, the cat, and Pablo, her faithful canine companion.
Yoselin Sarita (Karma)
Karma was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York in 2007. Since then, she has been pursuing art and sciences. A civil engineering major from City College of New York, she began her journey with Plant Xchange over the summer of 2022. Karma has been working with plants in terrariums, and their cohabiting with tree frogs. Through this, she aims to expand more education with low to no-lighting environment adaptation for plant habitats. She aims to continue to expand Plant Xchange and our message of mental health awareness. Karma is one of the collective's co-leaders and continues to learn more about plants and educate communities.
Marcie Tran
Marcie began as a regular plant parent for Plant Xchange and now also helps support IT operations and events. Although she's a city girl at heart, she's loves connecting with nature through her many houseplants or by birdwatching in the city. When it comes to houseplants, she loves learning about their history, native habitats, and indigenous uses. She's passionate about Plant Xchange's mission of bringing BIPOC and LGBTQ folks together through gardening and nature.