Teaching youth about the importance of pollinators is the aim of a joint UMES Extension and The Salisbury School project to create an educational garden. The design features a main pollinator bed shaped like a dragon, the school’s mascot, filled with native plant species to attract bees and butterflies. In planning since March, a grand opening will take place this fall to officially introduce the garden for learning experiences for Grades K-12.
The Salisbury School student delegates began by attending a weeklong Ignite conference in Washington, D.C., where they were “emersed in 4-H and STEM activities in preparation for the project,” said Theresa Maggio, UMES’ lead on the project.
These students will work with about 250 younger peers during the upcoming school year through educational and hands-on experiences in the pollinator garden, she said.
The 4-H STEM educator also arranged for a May visit to the UMES Apiary, where Stephen Goewey taught them bee biology and beekeeping basics. The youth leaders helped install the garden May 20 with the guidance of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 4-H team. Building materials were funded through a $15,000 grant from Corteva Agriscience.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photos submitted
