Upper School Student Organic Garden

Thank you for documenting this Outdoor Wonder Lab #4 at Collegiate's

Upper School Student Organic Garden!

Your role as a citizen scientist will help document seasonal and annual changes in this student-driven conservation effort to increase native biodiversity and address climate change.

GARDEN HISTORY 

In May of 2022, students in the Upper School science elective, "Biodiversity and Conservation," designed and planted a native "Climate Victory Garden" to:

1) support native wildlife populations (especially monarch butterflies) and

2) trap atmospheric carbon into the soil.

Since 2022, the native perennial garden has been maintained and expanded by volunteers with the Collegiate's environmental service organization, Earth Society.

https://www.instagram.com/sustainable_cougarrrs/

ECOLOGICAL APPROACH - "Messy on Purpose"

Native plants are allowed to remain standing over the winter months until temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, giving native insects and other arthropods essential shelter. This ecological gardening approach may look "messy," but tucked in those brown stems are resting pollinators and other beneficial invertebrates.

Additionally, native perennials (plants that grow back year after year) are used to optimize soil health and structure as their roots continue to grow and hold soil over many seasons.

By limiting soil disturbance from mowing and foot traffic in this garden, the soil microbiome can more effectively store some of the carbon dioxide drawn out of the air during photosynthesis under the ground.