The Problem
Lack of habitat for pollinators
Lack of habitat for pollinators
Installing a pollinator garden
It went extremely well. Students were highly engaged, worked seamlessly as a team, and showed real enthusiasm throughout the project. The planting day was energetic and collaborative, and students took pride in seeing the garden come together through their own efforts. Returning to the site for the graduation ceremony made the experience even more meaningful, giving students the chance to celebrate their work, reflect on what they learned, and see the lasting impact of the project. Overall, the project was energizing, empowering, and a great example of youth leadership in action.
We learned how hands-on projects build confidence, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of how environmental work connects to community needs.
If we did this again, we might start earlier in the season and schedule additional follow-up visits so students could see the garden change over time.
Our favorite part of this project was coming back for the graduation ceremony and realizing how much we learned and accomplished together.
Start small and don’t overthink it — native plants are resilient and pollinators find them quickly. Giving students real ownership makes a huge difference; when young people help plan and lead, engagement skyrockets. Hands-on work keeps energy high, especially when everyone can see immediate results. Also, celebrating the work matters just as much as doing it — coming back to the site later to reflect or hold a small ceremony helps reinforce learning and pride.