WASHINGTON, D.C. — Seventh graders at Pea Ridge Middle School will create a rain and pollinator garden, as well as install benches and picnic tables for the community thanks to a grant from Project Learning Tree, the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Prince William Network. A GreenWorks PollinatorLIVE grant was awarded to the Pea Ridge School district in Pea Ridge.
Pollinators include bees,butterflies, birds and other species that play an important role in the health of humans, wildlife and the surrounding environment.
Planting gardens with plants native to Arkansas provides the pollinators with the habitat they need to thrive.
The students will plan, develop and maintain the pollinator garden near the school cafeteria. In addition to the benefits of the garden, its placement will help a part of the school grounds that has drainage problems.
Since 1992, Project Learning Tree has distributed nearly $1 million to fund almost 1,000 grant projects in communities across the country.
School, Pages 12 on 03/02/2011