A learning community of students and staff, The Travelers, at team of 60 students and five adults, proposed a project in response to their concern for protecting and promoting habitat for pollinating insects. The Pollinator Gardens were created in the green space medians abutting the main parking lot in 2015. Perennial plants already at the school and native plants were selected, planted and are now cared for by our students devoted to protecting our state insect, the honey bee, as well as many other pollinating insects. The Travelers work hard to educate others on the importance of pollinating insects and the role these insects have in much of the food we eat.
Preparing the medians for planting
Gathering up the plants and settling them in their new home
Farm to school coordinator, Heather Smith, and Jeff Young dug up and split many of the perennial plants surrounding the school building. These plants needed to be removed anyway because in the summer of 2016 the sidewalks and garden beds around the school were torn up and replaced. All remaining plants were trashed.
Travelers students helped shift the plants to their new home and Heather Smith instructed the young students how to plant the flowers.
Pollinator garden mid-summer
Here is what the pollinator garden has looked like in each of the four summers since it was planted. The fence has proven effective at keeping most people from walking through.