Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School in Duluth, MN received one of the Wild Ones Seeds for Education grant in 2001. As part of the grant, each recipient sends a report about the project to the Wild Ones national office.

Stowe Elementary School’s report came in the form of a scrapbook, compiled by students and teachers. We at the national office wanted to share some of the photos and student artwork so that members could see for themselves what happens when Wild Ones is able to help children “grow wild.”

As the introduction to the scrapbook explains, “The first and fourth grade students spent the year learning about topics such as habitats, native and exotic species, bird and butterfly migration, and the types of native trees and flowers that attract birds and butterflies in the Duluth area. Graduate students from the University of Minnesota-Duluth Outdoor Program taught weekly lessons to the students.”

With the help of UM-Duluth students, classroom teachers, and Arrowhead Chapter Wild Ones members, the students planned, designed, and planted a butterfly garden next to their school. Paul Hlina, owner of Leaning Pine Native Landscapes in South Range, WI and a member of the Arrowhead Chapter, donated his time and expertise, wood chips and straw, and supplied the children with bulb planters and shovels.

Worms are part of the ecosystem, too.

Dividing plants carefully before planting.

Carol Andrews, president of the Arrowhead (MN) Chapter
of Wild Ones shows children how to plant trees
and wildflowers.

Carol Andrews

This article appeared in the July/August 2002 issue of the Wild Ones Journal.

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