Vision

Every year our students take part in a spring clean up removing debris and garbage that has accumulated over the winter. Every year the majority of our litter is concentrated around the school sports fields. Every year there is one spot that cannot be cleaned effectively because of dense, thorny buses. This inspired students to take on a planting project that would help keep our school and the adjacent wetland clean of litter, improve the appearance of our trail, support biodiversity and wildlife, and help mitigate climate change. Providing an opportunity for our community to reconnect with our local ecology.

Action

Research was the first step. Students partnered with the Tantramar Wetlands Centre and learned how our native plants are more effective carbon sinks than introduced species. Their deep roots move carbon underground where it stays when the majority of the roots decompose during the winter months, reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Also, how native plants have important relationships with native wildlife. These specialized relationships took thousands of years to evolve and just cannot be replicated with introduced species. They also were shocked to realize that so many plants they see everyday are not native to our region! We spent a lot of time typing names into VASCAN to see the range maps and then researching what we could plant. Finally, students were able to create a list that would benefit people, wildlife, and the environment, going beyond just looking pretty.

Students were able to clear an area of our school that has been a challenge for over a decade. The area had become overrun with thorn bushes (mostly roses) that where unruly and trapping litter from the adjacent sports field. The students investigated suitable plants and made a list of plants that would have interest throughout the school year and into the winter for maximum impact. Students settled on native species that had berries for wildlife because we were removing the previously available rose hips. Many of the plants are also useful and/or edible for people, and were historically important to the local indigenous communities. A large number of food forest and pollinator projects are still heavily planted with introduced and often invasive species. Students wanted to do their best to find native alternatives that would magnify their impact. We were able to source most of the plants on the list from a nearby nursery. In the process of clearing the thorns, students were also able to remove the garbage including a portion that had grown into roots and the soil due to the area’s inaccessibility for clean-ups. They also started many native varieties of seed to fill in the understory and share around the school, wetland, and community. Hopefully, the varieties they have selected will also showcase just how beautiful native plants can be in the garden and around the home yard as alternatives for invasive and non-native plants. Classes from the high school, visiting groups to the wetlands, and community members will all pass by as they access the wetland trail.

Students also wanted to focus on the education side of native planting. They worked diligently at making info sheets to be posted with the new shrubs and trees highlighting their benefits to people and the environment, including their specialist relationships with wildlife. Students also started to identify invasive plants, many of which are sold for landscaping and create information for the public in a fun ‘Most Wanted Criminals’ format. Starting with periwinkle vine; a plant that is a problem on the school grounds and offers next to no ecological value on top of having very harmful effects on local systems. To continue the theme of education and accessibility, students planed a program they could offer to local schools. The program planed includes a brief talk about what a native plant is and why they are so important, a fun game, and a planting activity (planned with swamp milkweed seeds for each participant). Hopefully showing the community that native planting is an activity anyone can partake in regardless of ability, financial status, or space. This program is set to be delivered to our local elementary school in June.

Reflection & Celebration

The subtleties of plants, especially native plants can be confusing. The science is still catching up and it can be an intricate and overwhelming topic. Students hope with their visible garden and educational materials/program, that they will be able to make the topic a little more accessible and approachable. Helping people take the next step past movements like no mow may into more active environmental stewardship. People have become disconnected from their local ecology. Hopefully this helps our community to reconnect. Students are excited to keep this project moving forward over the coming years and see their plants grow!