In a heartwarming initiative, students from Tryon Elementary School are taking the lead in protecting local pollinators by creating their very own pollinator garden.
The students, ranging from third to fifth grade, have been working diligently for several months to design, plant and maintain a vibrant garden filled with flowers that attract bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators.
The project began with a grant received from Polk County Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom. Teachers are partnering with Champions for Wildlife (a non-profit organization whose goal is to inspire kids to fall in love with wildlife through education) to teach students about the importance of pollinators in sustaining healthy ecosystems. Through interactive lessons, students will learn about how insects like bees and butterflies help in the pollination process, which is vital for growing many of the foods we eat.
“We want to teach our school and community that even small actions can make a big difference,” said fourth grade teacher JJ Waddell. “By creating this garden, we’re helping pollinators thrive and making our school more beautiful while teaching students the importance of the ecosystem to our area”
The garden, located in front of the school, features a variety of native plants, including butterfly weed, purple aster, spotted bee balm and milkweed, which are known to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Students planted the garden during a hands-on event last fall, where each grade level took responsibility for planting different sections.
“We really wanted the students to feel ownership over this project,” said Stephanie Tyler, the school’s fifth grade science teacher. “It’s one thing to learn about pollinators in the classroom, but it’s another thing entirely to put that knowledge into action by growing plants that directly support their survival.”
The garden has already begun to show signs of success. Teachers and students observed an increase in local pollinators visiting the garden, with bees and butterflies regularly stopping by to feed on the flowers before our cool temperatures set in. The second phase of the project is for the garden to also serve as a valuable outdoor classroom where students can continue their lessons on biology, ecosystems and environmental stewardship.
Parents and community members have also gotten involved, volunteering their time to help with garden maintenance and offering additional resources like plants and garden tools.
“We’re so proud of the students for taking the initiative and creating something that will benefit both their school and the environment,” said Principal John Mauldin. “This garden will be more than just a beautiful space. It will be a testament to the power of young minds working together to make a positive change.”
The pollinator garden is part of a larger effort by Tryon Elementary to foster environmental responsibility among students. The school plans to continue expanding its environmental programs, including creating additional outdoor learning areas and a retreat for birds.
As the garden grows and evolves, the students of Tryon Elementary hope to inspire other schools and communities to create their own pollinator-friendly spaces, ensuring that future generations of pollinators—and the ecosystems that depend on them—can thrive.
