Vision

My vision for the pollinator garden is to create a living, breathing space where students can deepen their connection with the natural world through hands-on learning. This garden grew from my students’ own observations—they noticed a lack of pollinator-friendly spaces in our community and wanted to take action. Their awareness of the problems facing pollinators and our environment sparked a genuine need and desire to help. I want our classroom garden to be a place of wonder, care, and curiosity—where students learn how their actions can support ecosystems and biodiversity. By growing native plants, students will understand the importance of preserving prairie species and creating habitats for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This project will also nurture a culture of stewardship, community involvement, and environmental responsibility.

Action

In the past year, our class has taken meaningful steps toward this vision. We began by using a grow light to start native pollinator plants from seed, which we then planted in our outdoor pollinator garden. Students learned how to care for the seedlings, explored the importance of pollinators through inquiry-based learning, and reflected on their own environmental responsibilities. As their interest grew, students took on leadership roles—creating garden designs, developing a budget, and researching which native prairie plants would be best suited to support pollinators in our area. This hands-on work gave them a deeper understanding of ecosystems, plant life cycles, and community needs. Moving forward, we plan to expand our indoor garden with the Little Green Thumbs program, which will allow us to grow food year-round and reduce barriers caused by Manitoba’s short growing season. We also plan to connect with the school’s Community Centre, inviting local gardeners, nutritionists, and Indigenous knowledge keepers to share their expertise with our students.

Reflection & Celebration

This journey has already made a lasting impact on our classroom culture. Students are proud of the plants they’ve grown and are eager to share their learning with families and peers. In June, we will be celebrating the Summer Solstice by opening our pollinator garden to families and the wider community, inviting them to explore the space our students have helped create. During this event, students will share their learning through a field guide they are creating, highlighting local prairie plants, pollinator relationships, and the importance of native species. In the future, I also hope to apply for a “Pollinator-Friendly Garden” designation, host garden showcases, and use our harvest in the school’s nutrition program. I envision students leading the way—explaining plant life cycles, environmental care, and how we can all be part of the solution. Through this project, students are not only growing plants—they’re growing as citizens of the Earth.

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