As coordinator of Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA, I had the privilege of visiting some of our affiliate cities and campuses in northern Georgia in October. I am sharing highlights of the trip over the next few blog posts.
Norcross, Georgia
In my first year coordinating Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA, I have had the honor of getting to know a number of outstanding community leaders. Jacquelyn Morgan, Master Gardener, substitute teacher, and Norcross Bee City organizer is one of those. Jackie was kind enough to take my coworker Stefanie Steele and me on a three-stop tour of thoughtfully-designed, community-focused pollinator habitat sites in Norcross.
Thank you to all the hard-working staff and volunteers who took the time to show us around Norcross. We are so grateful for your good work!
Outdoor Classroom at Norcross Elementary School
Our first stop was at Norcross Elementary School, where Jackie works, to see an excellent model for an outdoor classroom with newly improved seating, raised beds and rain barrels, which Jackie documented in her fundraising blog post: Creative Fundraising in Norcross, Georgia.
We had the pleasure of meeting Principle Sutton, STEM teacher Ms. Petree, and staffer Mr. Kendrick, who along with Jackie have created a welcoming, well-designed outdoor pollinator-focused classroom.
A view of the inviting outdoor classroom. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Norcross Elementary School staff Jackie Morgan and Mr. Kendrick, with Xerces staff Stefanie Steele and Laura Rost. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Xerces staffer Stefanie Steele shares information from our “Nesting & Overwintering Habitat: for Pollinators & Other Beneficial Insects” factsheet. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Teacher Ms. Petree demonstrates the desks that convert to benches. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Lovely painted stepping stones enliven the space between raised garden beds. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)A closeup of the tidy cinder block connectors that hold the raised garden beds together. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)A few brown eyed susans were still blooming. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Thank you to all the Norcross Elementary school staff to welcomed us! We really enjoyed learning more about your engaging outdoor classroom and pollinator habitat. (Credit: Jackie Morgan)
Summerour Outdoor Learning Center at Summerour Middle School
Our second stop brought us to Summerour Middle School where we met up with Tixie Fowler and Marianna Vazquez. At Summerour they have more than a single outdoor classroom—they have an extensive Outdoor Learning Center, created along the back of the property and incorporating parts of the adjacent woodlands.
Xerces staff Laura Rost and Stefanie Steele with the Summerour garden staff, Marianna Vazquez and Tixie Fowler. (Credit: Jackie Morgan)An eagle’s eye view of the garden, created beside the parking lot and track, and extending into the woodland. (Credit: Google Maps)Tixie and Marianna show us the late-season pollinator habit, which includes goldenrod, zinnia, and blue mistflower. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)One of the Summerour outdoor classroom spaces, each with its own character. This one features inspirational signs. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Forests are pollinator habitat too! We meandered down the trails to an outdoor classroom tucked back in the trees. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)So much to see! Tixie points out native plants and edible plants framing the school’s running track. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Green, lantern-shaped tomatillos fruiting in the garden. The garden combines food plants and pollinator habitat to demonstrate the connections between the two. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Evidence of monarch visitors were evident throughout the garden. This is the dried case of a chrysalis—one more monarch on its way to Mexico! (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)A Bee City sign reading “Pollinator-Friendly Garden.” (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)
Pollinator Habitat at Norcross City Hall
Our final stop in Norcross was at city hall, where we had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Craig Newton and a number of city staffers, and enjoyed a tour of their recently planted pollinator habitat in front of their city hall.
Tixie Fowler speaks to the group. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)Pollinator plants are taking root in the new educational pollinator garden. Signs read “Sustainability in Progress” and “Pollinator Garden in Progress.” (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)“Predator” a recycled metal wasp sculpture created by Richard Sells will be at the center of the pollinator habitat. “ReImagine: Sculptures that Redefine Recycling” are the sculptures whose theme melds art with recycling and environmental awareness. The pieces celebrate creative recycling. (Credit: Xerces Society / Laura Rost)It was an honor visit Norcross and meet a community of people working together to protect pollinators. (Credit: Jackie Morgan)
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