Vision

St. Ann Hamilton is in a very urban part of Hamilton with more concrete than plant life in the surrounding areas. The school community wanted to improve the small amount of green space that they have, to make it more inviting for insects and other pollinators, while increasing the carbon uptake, decreasing rain run off, and providing a small corner of peaceful green space for the school and community to enjoy. The plan arose to make a pollinator garden to make a more sustainable ecosystem, improving on a garden area that had become overrun by grass and dandelions over the years.

Action

The students of the Health Action Team and the Eco Team reviewed the importance of pollinators both as a necessity for a thriving ecosystem and as important contributors to plant life propagation. The students understood that the populations of pollinators has been decreasing year after year and the importance of pollinators having access to supportive habitats where they can visit, shelter and/or live. Many students of the Health Action Team and the Eco Team worked together to prepare the planting area by removing the grass and unwanted plants such as dandelions and invasive species, and then planted a wide variety of plants in the space that are all good for pollinators and indigenous to the region.

Reflection & Celebration

The students of the Health Action Team and Eco Team were given popsicles after their hard work of planting. They will be recognized for their participation and contributions at the end of year assembly in front of the school and will have a celebration involving their team members and supporting staff in the month of June where they will receive certificates and discuss plans for the future. The students and staff will work to maintain the garden through watering and weeding in the coming years in order to ensure that the pollinators are able to thrive and grow.