Cultivating Pollinator Gardens: Nurturing Ecosystems and Inspiring Learning

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This blog was written by Sahasra Boggarapu

Today, three-fourths of the world's flowering plants and 35% of the world's crops depend on pollinators to reproduce (USDA). Pollinators are fundamental for maintaining the balance and health of our ecosystem, as they support biodiversity and provide a multitude of environmental benefits. However, many pollinators, such as moths, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats, are in trouble due to habitat loss, parasites, climate change, and environmental contaminants. It is crucial that we implement changes and take care of our environment. Pollinator gardens are vital to supporting the well-being of our ecosystem because they are designed with various types of plants and flowers to attract pollinators and facilitate the process of pollination. Pollination also allows for biodiversity, which is fundamental to the health and productivity of our ecosystems. Without pollination, we couldn't eat foods like apples, onions, or potatoes. Plants that are pollinated by pollinators produce higher yields with healthier and bigger fruits. In essence, pollinator gardens serve as sanctuaries for these animals, help mitigate their decline, and promote ecological balance.

An initiative that the Highland Support Project is working on is partnering with schools in the Richmond area to promote the creation of pollinator gardens. These gardens not only benefit the environment but also promote outdoor learning and hands-on activities to allow students to learn more about their ecosystems. Various schools around the country have already adopted pollinator garden programs and found many benefits in creating these gardens. Albert Harris Elementary School, an elementary school in Virginia that is part of the Martinsville City Public Schools system, had its students create an effective pollinator garden that utilized multiple goals and key concepts in the Virginia Standards of Learning for Science and Math. Some of the goals of the Virginia Science Standards of Learning are to apply math and science to design processes to solve societal problems and understand the interrelationship of science with technology, engineering, and math. The educators were able to integrate these goals and provide a project-based learning experience to bring curriculum concepts like the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly to life. In addition, students developed techniques to water the plants by making a rain barrel system. The elementary school earned a designation as a Virginia Naturally School by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources for its efforts in increasing environmental awareness. Pollinator gardens can not only be adapted to lessons for younger children but also for older ones. At Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School, pollinator gardens serve as extensions of the school's classrooms and provide an opportunity for students to study animal diversity and create a calming environment for the high schoolers to enjoy. The school also received a grant from Native American Seed and was able to plant more wildflowers. The students even helped their local elementary schools build their own pollinator gardens. These gardens allow students to develop an interest in conserving the habitat and inspire them to be responsible stewards of their environment.

Pollinator gardens provide valuable STEM opportunities where students can learn about different patterns of the environment and understand the importance of pollinators, the life cycles of plants and animals, and the problems that are causing them to be endangered, among other things. Teachers can foster hands-on learning experiences and help students apply their knowledge to the real world through pollinator gardens. There are many ways pollinator gardens can be incorporated into STEM lessons. For instance, students can use their knowledge of ecological patterns in the garden and build irrigation systems or rain catchment systems to water the garden. Building pollinator gardens in schools allows students to be involved in conservation efforts and fosters a sense of environmental stewardship. In addition to educational benefits, these gardens provide a beautiful and vibrant green space that can promote the physical and mental well-being of students by reducing stress levels, increasing creativity and collaboration, and improving focus.

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