Spring is in the air at James McQueen Public School here.
Students, staff and “Greener McQueen” are busy planning their 2012 projects. With the learning garden up and sprouting again, Greener McQueen is hoping to complete three more projects to help add more green space to its small, urban lot.
Thanks to a grant from Earth Angels, students and volunteers will soon plant their own butterfly garden. The grant provides all the plants and curriculum materials to enable students to learn hands-on about butterflies, biodiversity, the impacts of pollution and pollution reduction. The butterfly garden will extend out from the new learning garden across the front of the school.
The involves parent and local artist Meredith Blackmore. With students’ help, she aims to paint the two dumpsters in the yard, adding some whimsy and cheer to those otherwise utilitarian bins.
The most ambitious project of the three is the tree plant and natural playscape project. The goals are many – from creating more shade, natural areas and seating to teaching children about environmental responsibility.
Greening projects began in 2008 when grass and mulch areas were created in what was previously a 100% asphalt lot.
“We want to unify the school with the surrounding neighbourhood which is full of mature trees, without reducing the open green space the children currently have,” said Sue FitzGerald of Greener McQueen. “It’s a fine balance.”
The team has been working under the guidance of Evergreen consultant Dennis Wendland who specializes in greening school grounds. The project will involve planting over 50 trees, creating windbreaks, shade and outdoor gathering and learning spaces. Most of the trees will be donated by Wellington County’s Green Legacy program, but Greener McQueen needs help funding the larger trees.
“On a small lot such as this, we simply don’t have room to plant lots of smaller trees and make an impact that way; we have to plant larger trees and they can be expensive,” FitzGerald said.
Donations are already coming from Fergus Horticultural Society, Fergus Optimists’ Club, Centre Wellington Rotary Club and the parent council and the team is busy applying for a variety of grants. Since the school is located in the heart of downtown Fergus the schoolyard is used throughout the year by local families and residents.
The Greener McQueen group’s hope is it can be a collaborative effort between the school and the community to create a beautiful natural space where everyone can play, learn, reflect and socialize. The tree plant will take place May 26 from 9am. All volunteers are welcome. Machines will do the backbreaking work; people will just be planting
To find out more about Greener McQueen or to make a donation, either email greenermcqueen@hotmail.ca or call the school at 519-843-1700. More information is available at www.ugdsb.on.ca/jamesmcqueen. James McQueen Public School is located at 365 St. George St. West in Fergus.
Greener McQueen is an informal group of volunteers at James McQueen Public School. Its goal is to increase the environmental awareness of our students, their families and the community. The approach emphasizes making healthy food choices, promoting environmentally friendly actions and caring for the green environments in the school and beyond.
