Our Vision
Why a Garden? “Nature isn't just a bunch of far-off plants, animals, and landscapes to learn about and visit once or twice a year. It's an environment to be immersed in daily, especially during our childhood years" (Sampson, 2015, pp 14).
Our goal is to create a space in which students are able to interact with soil and plants and fall in love. This enthusiasm is contagious, and creates the beginnings of the next generation of environmental stewards. The opportunities to learn outside are limitless and would benefit K-7 and staff. Both direct lessons (historical indigenous food sources, seeds, where food comes from, pollination, zoology with insects, biodiversity, ecosystems, erosion, plant identification, plant anatomy, life cycles, etc.) and indirect advantages (improved mental health, increased physical activity, improved concentration, language opportunities, enhanced creative play, and opportunities for problem solving and leadership) are only some of the benefits. |
Why Native Plants and Pollinators? “Children can now recognize greater than a thousand corporate logos, but fewer than ten plants native to their region" (Sampson, 2015, pp 5). Our dream is to create a pollinator garden using native plants. Not only will focusing on plants native to our region help lead to place-based learning and a local sense of pride, but it will directly benefit our environment.
Insects are a foundational part of our ecosystem. In Douglas Tallamy's book, Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens, he outlines the importance of using plants that evolved in this area (as opposed to imported ones) to support the planet’s insects. We would like to create a haven for these important creatures and give back to nature. It will give our school a sense of pride to be contributing positively to the environment. We would like to plant flowers which evolved in the Pacific Northwest with a variety of bloom times (from early to late). For example: Big Leaf Lupine, Venus Penstemon, Red Columbine, Kinnikinnick, Showy Milkweed and Canada Goldenrod. |
Reference: Sampson, S. (2015). How to Raise a Wild Child. Mariner Books.
Our Values
We would like to focus on school community! We know this will be a challenge during these difficult times, which is why we are creating digital ways to share our environmental passion <3. Check us out on "Teams"!
One short note on ethics: We must never take native plants from nature. All of our plants have been ethically purchased at nurseries who do not take them from nature. There are 3 major reasons for this:
1. The reason we need to be planting native plants in our gardens is due to the habitat destruction that has already occurred. We must not harm nature further. The goal is to restore it. So, unless a site is going to be bulldozed, we leave nature alone. Even plants growing on the side of the road are a very important food and nesting source for local bees, butterflies and insects.
2. If we want to make a change, we must vote with our dollar. The more that is spent in a community on native plant gardening, the more it will become available at nurseries. Sometimes they can be hard to find. If you need help finding a local plant that you want, please contact Mrs. Lorber who might be able to help.
3. Invasive species outcompete native plants frequently. You will see English Ivy, Bindweed and other very invasive species everywhere. How this happens is that the habitat was disturbed by human activity, and the invasive species, which has no natural inhibitors, can outcompete. Our native species live in a fine balance. Therefore, if you take a plant from nature and disrupt the balance, it is very likely that an invasive species will take its place, not another native plant. Did you know that it is even ethically questionable to take their seeds?
1. The reason we need to be planting native plants in our gardens is due to the habitat destruction that has already occurred. We must not harm nature further. The goal is to restore it. So, unless a site is going to be bulldozed, we leave nature alone. Even plants growing on the side of the road are a very important food and nesting source for local bees, butterflies and insects.
2. If we want to make a change, we must vote with our dollar. The more that is spent in a community on native plant gardening, the more it will become available at nurseries. Sometimes they can be hard to find. If you need help finding a local plant that you want, please contact Mrs. Lorber who might be able to help.
3. Invasive species outcompete native plants frequently. You will see English Ivy, Bindweed and other very invasive species everywhere. How this happens is that the habitat was disturbed by human activity, and the invasive species, which has no natural inhibitors, can outcompete. Our native species live in a fine balance. Therefore, if you take a plant from nature and disrupt the balance, it is very likely that an invasive species will take its place, not another native plant. Did you know that it is even ethically questionable to take their seeds?