The Problem
We're building a Pollinator Habitat Garden to help bees and butterflies in our neighborhood. Many pollinators are losing their homes because of new buildings and construction, so we want to help school children create a space that helps them survive while teaching them about pollinators and their habitat loss. We intend to use native plants and milkweed, giving butterflies a place to stop and lay eggs during their migrations.
Our Plan
We intend to partner with a class at Beye Elementary School to create a Pollinator Habitat Garden next to the first-grade gardens, while also creating teaching materials and inspiring kids to create their own pollinator garden at home. This Monarch hub will combat urban habitat loss using regional native plants, including milkweed varieties, purple coneflower, and wild bergamot, giving migrating butterflies a safe space to lay eggs. After securing permission from the principal, we will involve students directly in planting the garden by asking her to pair us with a teacher whose class can plant the garden. To integrate the project into the year-round science curriculum, we will supply teachers with educational materials focused on biodiversity and compassionate leadership. We will also create plant and pollinator coloring sheets with educational descriptions for students. Finally, we will supply seed balls to inspire students to start their own pollinator garden at home.