A report for her school newsletter by Dora Velkovska, Grade 8 student and project lead at the Tecumseh Middle School
The awakening of nature this spring has inspired Tecumseh PS students to embark on a new and exciting endeavor - creating a native plant garden. The initiative was established by grade eight students who decided to leave a legacy to their school in the form of a real-life garden. What better way to ensure a lasting and meaningful impact on the school grounds while supporting the environment at the same time?
“It all started with an idea,” said Dora Velkovska, a grade eight student and project lead, “which like a seed of a plant, slowly started to germinate and then grow.” Native plants are crucial for insect reproduction and, according to WWF, 90 percent of insects can reproduce only on native plants. Insect reproduction, in turn, affects bird species, which further impacts larger members of the food chain. “Being aware of the issue with decreasing biodiversity, our school decided we needed to do something to support pollinators and wildlife,” said Dora.
Additionally, researchers at Ottawa’s Carleton University found out that small native habitat patches in urban areas, such as residential gardens, street plantings, and small parks, can play a critical role in supporting urban biodiversity. “This was our ‘aha’ moment,” said Dora, “If schools transform some of their greenspaces into pollinator gardens, then they will not only support the local biodiversity but also educate students and help create environmentally conscientious citizens that will carry these values into the future.” Another positive attribute of these gardens is that they are low-maintenance and drought resistant, as they are better adapted to local environmental conditions. This reduces the need for excessive water use, as well as the use of costly and environmentally damaging practices such as harmful chemicals and fertilizers.
The main support came from a Mississauga non-profit organization, Blooming Boulevards (BB), whose mission is to connect neighborhoods to nature by providing a network of native habitat gardens and opportunities for inclusive community engagement, education, and collaboration. Blooming Boulevards will support Mississauga schools’ habitat garden initiatives. In preparation for Tecumseh’s garden, Jeanne McRight from BB delivered an in-school educational session to all grade eight students, highlighting the importance of creating these small urban eco-oases and providing information about the process of organizing and delivering a native plant garden. When the time for planting arrived, students had prepared a detailed plan for the garden, while BB provided the plants, including specifics for each plant species and care instructions.
Tecumseh PS principal, Christine Barnes, and grade eight teachers, Diane McDonald and Carrie Southwell, welcomed the idea and wholeheartedly helped with the implementation.
However, the idea behind the native plant garden is much bigger than one planted garden in one school. “If more schools embrace this initiative, then we can truly make an impact in supporting our local ecosystems. These native gardens can also serve as living classrooms with hands-on learning about ecology, sustainability, and the importance of preserving native species, as well as helping students develop a profound connection with the land and nature,” added Dora in conclusion.
The significance of the native garden goes beyond its environmental implications. The Tecumseh PS native plant garden serves as a symbol of teamwork and collaboration, showcasing the power of collective effort in achieving a common goal. The garden not only enriches the school grounds, but also demonstrates how small, local endeavors can leave a profound impact on global environmental sustainability.
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