We’re happy to share that our Roots and Shoots student group has been awarded the “Defender of the Planet Sustainability Award” from the City of Lakewood in recognition of their Roots and Shoots service-learning effort – The Pretty Big Pollinator Project!
Thank you to the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots program for their support and guidance and to local businesses Frontroom Pizza, Natural Grocers, Acme Hydroponics, and High Country Gardens for their donations.
Our students also created the winning entry with their Butterfly Tree for the City of Lakewood’s annual holiday lamppost competition in December.
Our students have started their 2021 Roots and Shoots service-learning project, called “Root for Trees”. More details soon!
Sometimes, we think of spring as the best time to plant flowers, herbs, and other such verdure. However, the fall is when you want to plant carrots, celery, lettuce, and many types of other vegetables and flowers. Pollinators are still active in the fall, and it’s a great time to get a head start on the spring by planting perennial seeds and shrubs.
Planting Perennial Seeds
1. Find the correct planting time for your location
Plant just before the rainy season/after hard frosts depending on where you are located.
2. Ready soil.
Remove all rocks, existing growth, and clay clumps from your planting site.
3. Spread seeds.
Sprinkle your seed over the top of the soil, making sure they are spaced apart, because wildflowers don’t like crowded conditions.
4. Press seeds into soil.
You can do this by walking over the seeds or using your hands. Do not cover seeds with dirt.
Planting Shrubs and Bushes
Fall is also a great time to start planting young shrubs and bushes. To do this, you need a hole that is about twice as wide and deep as the potted part of the shrub you’re planting. Before you plant, rough up the bottom half of the roots with your fingers to encourage them to grow out, rather than in a clump. Add any compost or potting soil you have to improve the soil. Plant your shrub or bush in the hole and use excess soil to make a well around the plant for watering. To water, fill the wall twice 1-3 times per week of the growing season for 2-3 years.
Just a few of the entries in the photography division
One of the main reasons our students are hosting the Art Contest with The Pretty Big Pollinator Project is to drive traffic to this website. They have been tracking website stats to measure the effectiveness of their campaign to promote pollinator conservation and awareness this year.
Take a minute and vote for your favorite art entries. Your vote will be counted for the People’s Choice awards. Click on the links above and submit one vote for each of the four contest categories. You’ll support the artists AND give our website numbers a boost in the process.
Also, please share this link with others and encourage them to vote as well. (You can have your kids vote all using your email address if you want- just put them in as separate votes.) Also, voters do not need to be members of our homeschool group, so please share this info.
I found this Black Witch moth today. It is nocturnal and has ears that can hear echolocation from bats so they can avoid them. They are the largest moth in the United States. – Micah
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Below is all the info you need to get started:
1. All entries should original artwork that promotes pollinator awareness and conservation. It can be artistic representations of pollinators and pollinator plants or be more educational in nature.
2. The contest is open to all students aged 18 and under. Three age divisions: 5 and under, 6 – 11, and 12 – 18. Entries will be judged by a panel of students and prizes will also be awarded for ‘people’s choice’ in each category based on votes on our The Pretty Big Pollinator Project website.
3. Students do not need to be a member of Green Mountain Area Homeschoolers or live in the area. In fact, we would love to reach as many people as possible, so spread the word and encourage other students you know to enter.
4. Entries can be 2D or 3D, any media. We will have a separate category for photography (all ages judged together). Students can enter more than one piece of artwork, but will only be eligible to win one prize.
5. Enter by submitting a photo of your artwork to sarah@thehappinesshere.com. Please include:
Your full name (we will only post first names on the website)
Your age
An email address AND a phone number
The title of your work
6. Tell everyone you know to visit our website and ‘like’ your entry. (This is for the People’s Choice Awards mentioned above.)
6. Contest opens July 15. Entries close Aug 31. Winners announced early Sept.
Contest prizes include generous donations from these sponsors:
