Paraskevi Kakares

WHO club assisted Climate Change Club with adding plants to the garden.

Annually, The Green Council for School Improvement (GCSI) awards $20,000 in grants to projects that positively impact the environment. While this grant has led to major improvements around the school, such as water bottle fillers, some years the grant goes unused. This year though, Climate Change Club has taken up this opportunity for a new addition to the school: a pollinator prairie garden.

This project, proposed by Climate Change Club president and senior Mia Rubenstein, among other club members, received the grant last school year. Rubenstein, along with co-vice presidents and seniors Lucy Emrich and Laney Petersen, wrote an eight-page proposal for the GCSI, proving that the project was sustainable and long-term.

Climate Change Club started the process of constructing the garden at the beginning of the year on the northwest corner of the building. The garden is intended to promote biodiversity with hundreds of types of plants that benefit insects, birds, and other animals. The garden will feature curving beds that has a lush, enclosed feel. 

Not only does the garden have copious environmental benefits, but students and staff will be able to enjoy the garden and its beauty in many ways. 

“It’s just going to be a hangout spot, because it’s not just a garden, but an interactive garden,” Rubenstein said. “You can go in it. There’s going to be paths and all that, but it also gives a chance for people to interact with nature more. I feel like we’re never outside. I read something that [said] we only spend 15 minutes outside [a day], going to our car and back.”

During the school day, Climate Change Club sponsor Cynthia Fey hopes classes will take advantage of this resource.

“The kids center is right [by the garden],” Fey said. “What a nice place for them to go and play. Also, like, science classes could take advantage of that.” Climate Change Club has been working hard every Wednesday, making progress on the garden.

“This is a beautiful, gorgeous, natural, peaceful place to hang out and walk through, and it’s just going to beautify the school.”