Seatack Elementary School - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Description

After spending the last two years getting their BWTF water testing program up and running, the Virginia Beach Chapter decided to launch their Ocean Friendly Gardens Program with a garden project at Seatack Elementary School. The chapter formed an OFG committee, including two members of the executive committee and a chapter volunteer who is a horticulturist at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and was able to provided guidance on plant selection and garden design. The committee also found a local teacher who was willing to champion the installation of an OFG at Seatack Elementary School.

The school site offered great visibility for the garden, plus it had serious existing drainage issues that needed correction. Construction of the garden took about 5 hours, with 35 kids and 20 adults participating, including students, parents, teachers and chapter volunteers. Signs were created and posted in the garden to educate the community, and a second rain barrel was installed and painted by fifth graders to illustrate how CPR can help protect the ocean.

The new garden has become a central point for the school and has been integrated into the curriculum to educate students on watersheds, rain barrels, conservation, and the ocean. Fifth grader Anjel Calderon stepped up as a true leader of this school project. He worked in the garden during the summer, weekends, during special team projects and during the morning Garden Breakfast Club. This video helps tell the story of how working in the OFG gave Anjel the confidence to become a leader in his school.

Learn more here: http://www.surfrider.org/coastal-blog/entry/virginia-beach-inspiring-conservation-and-creativity-in-school-communities