BUTTERFLY GARDEN, WATER FEATURE, AND A NATIVE PLANT GARDEN
BUTTERFLY GARDEN:
Within our area, students learned about the benefits of butterflies and how there has been a decrease in butterfly
habitats occurring over the years. Then they decided to build a butterfly garden to help increase
the butterfly population. To attract butterflies to a garden, they need water, shelter, food, and a place to lay their eggs (host plants). Nectar rich flowers are also important to the butterfly's dietary needs. Growing the correct type plant is important for the safety of butterfly eggs. The butterfly garden will be certified as a monarch waystation. Monarch waystations are places that provide resources essential for monarchs to produce healthy generations and complete their migrations and we are applying for certification by monarchwatch.org. *WBS
The Location: This visual was created by students to get approval from our groundskeeper, Mr. Connor, and our safety supervisor, Mr. Miller.
The Garden Design: This design was created by students to show the number of plants that we would put in the garden and how large they will be in 10 years.
The Plants: These pictures illustrate the plants that are in the plan. They include host plants (milkweed) and nectar plants (the other 3 plants).
Planting:
During our school's Green Field Day, students planted our butterfly garden. Parent volunteers, Ms. Lancelotta and Ms. Kaiser, along with staff leader Mr. Kiessling led the students as they improved and amended the soil. Then student volunteers worked over the next 2 weeks to plant and mulch the garden.
During our school's Green Field Day, students planted our butterfly garden. Parent volunteers, Ms. Lancelotta and Ms. Kaiser, along with staff leader Mr. Kiessling led the students as they improved and amended the soil. Then student volunteers worked over the next 2 weeks to plant and mulch the garden.
WATERFALL FEATURE: Water is an important part of restoring wildlife habitats. The sound of running water attracts birds, and pooling water sustains visiting wildlife. A group of students researched how they could create a water feature that would benefit wildlife, be easy to maintain, be safe for students, and be energy efficient. Their research led them to a solar powered waterfall pump with a battery to store energy and a timer to efficiently use the fountain during daylight hours.
The Pump We Ordered: After lengthy research, a student committee found a solar powered waterfall pump that the school could afford to purchase. The pump has an 800 l/h flow and a 2 meter lift.
The Waterfall Design: Students
worked with a parent volunteer, Mr. Mannerelli, to design a waterfall to flow over the edge
of the butterfly garden's retaining wall into a pondless basin two feet
lower. Having a pondless
water feature is safest for our school property and allows for water to
pool in the basin's rocks - an advantage for birds and butterflies. Students have laid out the location of the retaining walls and Mr. Mannerelli is preparing to build them. He has generously donated the stone for these walls. Once the walls are completed, a student committee will work with Mr. Mannerelli to install the water feature.
NATIVE PLANT GARDEN
Led by parent volunteer, Mrs. Ravasio, a student committee examined a current failing plant bed on school grounds and created a plan to replace the failing plants with native ones that would thrive in the location. To prepare for this activitiy, Mrs. Ravasio taught the students about plant zones, the difference between annuals and perennials, the water and sun requirements of plants, and the impact of wind and soil type on the health of plants. The students then researched native plant species and applied their new knowledge to select native plants that would be best suited for the location. Using landscaping software, students created a viable plan that takes into account the anticipated growth of the plants.
Removing the Plants: In November 2010, Mrs. Ravasio helped students to remove the failing plants. She prepped the soil with organic materials and planted our center tree. Then, on Green Field Day, Mrs. Ravasio led a group of student volunteers to plant the garden.