Student Driven Sustainability Practices
2.4 - Habitat Restoration
RAIN GARDEN - HABITAT RESTORATION: [OCTOBER 2014]
The school facilitated the creation of a native-plant habitat rain garden on the grounds to absorb run-off from the parking lot. Ten students were involved in the planting process, where they received outdoor educational lessons about stormwater run-off and habitat. Lessons included a pollinator habitat focus, drawing a connection between specific butterflies and their host plant species. We then applied that to the pollinator species that we were planting in the garden that day, such as asters, mistflower, goldenrod, and coneflowers. It was beneficial to combine this with the hands-on garden event – some students declared at first that they didn’t like any bugs, even butterflies, and by the end of the event those same students were holding & examining worms from the garden! We used that as a teachable moment to connect the idea of habitat, and how diverse ecosystems connect to worm habitat.
The school facilitated the creation of a native-plant habitat rain garden on the grounds to absorb run-off from the parking lot. Ten students were involved in the planting process, where they received outdoor educational lessons about stormwater run-off and habitat. Lessons included a pollinator habitat focus, drawing a connection between specific butterflies and their host plant species. We then applied that to the pollinator species that we were planting in the garden that day, such as asters, mistflower, goldenrod, and coneflowers. It was beneficial to combine this with the hands-on garden event – some students declared at first that they didn’t like any bugs, even butterflies, and by the end of the event those same students were holding & examining worms from the garden! We used that as a teachable moment to connect the idea of habitat, and how diverse ecosystems connect to worm habitat.
COMMUNITY GARDEN MAINTENANCE: [October 2014]
Franklin Square Elementary Middle School maintains a community garden that is open to the scholars, their family members and the greater Southwest Baltimore Community. Garden tours are conducted weekly, members of the FSEMS family are encouraged to come and work in the garden as well as partake of its harvest. The tours and invitation to work the grounds encourages environmental stewardship and literacy. The education that is provided to the community is insurmountable, their eyes are opened to the importance of growing one's own food and eating healthy. The Green Team conducts a harvest day every other week until the grounds are closed for the winter. The interaction between the scholars, parents, community and staff are life changing experiences for all those involved.
"The best part is harvesting our campus grown crop and enjoying a delicious salad!" - Principal, Terry F. Patton
Franklin Square Elementary Middle School maintains a community garden that is open to the scholars, their family members and the greater Southwest Baltimore Community. Garden tours are conducted weekly, members of the FSEMS family are encouraged to come and work in the garden as well as partake of its harvest. The tours and invitation to work the grounds encourages environmental stewardship and literacy. The education that is provided to the community is insurmountable, their eyes are opened to the importance of growing one's own food and eating healthy. The Green Team conducts a harvest day every other week until the grounds are closed for the winter. The interaction between the scholars, parents, community and staff are life changing experiences for all those involved.
"The best part is harvesting our campus grown crop and enjoying a delicious salad!" - Principal, Terry F. Patton
GREEN TEAM GOALS: [September 2014]
Green Team Meeting Sign In Sheets and goals and aims from our scholars.
Green Team Meeting Sign In Sheets and goals and aims from our scholars.