My wish is that students, educators, and community members will have a space to observe from a distance or up close, the biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics of a restored prairie. More attention is being brought to the decline in pollinators, and direct observation of these beings can foster ownership and subsequent empathy towards their continued existence. This is a space where all can observe and learn in a more natural setting than the surrounding mowed grass and concrete.
This project will allow for more meaningful inquiry with students at the middle school level, as the plot is on school grounds and is quickly accessible from the classroom. It will also allow for a connection between the community and the school, as the plot is accessible to the public from the street, and will include signage as well as some common plants community members may already know. We will have a variety of seating available for the public and students to utilize to best fit their needs. There is already a young plot on the grounds, but the funds for seating, bird feeders, and bee hotels is yet to be secured. I have local experts and craftsman who are available for quality assurance of all tangible parts brought into this area.
