Master Gardener: Youth Programs

A Native Habitat Garden
Stonehouse Elementary School, James City County

Ongoing

Native plant expert Jan Newton has been creating a native plant habitat garden at Stonehouse Elementary School in James City County. It's now been certified by the National Wildlife Federation.

A monarch butterfly pupa hangs under a leaf in the garden.

Summary: A certified wildlife habitat is not only beautiful, it gives critters a home.

Jan Newton used to spend her time with ballet and modern dance. When her knees wore out, she delved into native plants.

"Now I have fun digging instead of jumping," says the Williamsburg resident and member of the John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society.

Lately, her digging has been in the form of a 5,900-square-foot habitat garden with more than 70 species of native plants at Stonehouse Elementary School in James City County. The National Wildlife Federation recently approved the space as a certified habitat garden.

Jan says it's easy and beneficial to create your own habitat garden at home and shares these tips on how to make it happen.

Eco Expo
Beaverdam Park

Late May or early June

Eco Expo is sponsored by Gloucester County and held at Beaverdam Park. This event gives 4th grade students from Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex counties an opportunity to experience farm animals, bee keeping , farm equipment, snakes, birds, forestry and a host of other interesting subjects.

Gloucester Master Gardeners have taught the Life Cycle of the Butterfly while concentrating on the Host and Nectar plants that Butterflies need to survive. Also stressed is the damage done by the use of herbicides and pesticides and loss of land areas due to development.

Ready, Set, Grow Program
Local grade schools

April

This is an in school program that covers each fourth grade class in the six Gloucester County Schools. The county Extension Office sets the dates and times for the Master Gardeners to visit the schools.

Anatomy of the daffodil bulb

Eco expo and Ready, Set, Grow are programs designed to introduce students to the concept that WE are the caretakers of the planet.

Junior Master Gardener
Wildlife Gardener at Beaverdam Park

2007

Wildlife Gardener Website and Junior Master Gardener Website

In the JMG Wildlife Gardener program children gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the wildlife that is part of their local community by

enjoying novel, hands-on project-based learning as they have fun gardening for wildlife

building components of wildlife garden habitats

This program is an integrated curriculum that will strengthen skills in math, science, language and social studies during engaging, one-of-a kind experiences.

Junior Master Gardener is a 4-H youth development program of the cooperative Extension system

Backyard Bistro

Digging it with Thomas Jefferson

Natural Wonders: A Guide to Early Childhood for Environmental Educators

Three Rivers Environmental Educators (TREE)

Virginia Naturally

Children's Books

Great Book Ideas

Kathi Appelt Illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein	Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers – How A First Lady Changed America
Laurie Carlson	Green Thumbs: A Kid's Activity Guide to Indoor and Outdoor Gardening
DyAnne DiSalva-Ryan	City Green
John McCrae – Linda Granfield + Janet Wilson	In Flanders Fields – The Story of The Poem
Tasha Tudor; Poetry collected by Karen Ackerman	Emily Dickinson – A Brighter Garden