Students encouraged to 'plant a pocket of prairie'

When former teacher LuAnn Raadt visited Bridgewater Elementary School Wednesday afternoon, she came bearing gifts for the third graders: flats of butterfly weed plants for students to take home and grow.

The plants were part of an effort by the SE MN Prairie Partners chapter of the Wild Ones to promote native landscapes through education, advocacy and collaborative action.

The plants are also intended to encourage resilience in native pollinators, likes bees, butterflies, moths and beetles.

Raadt, a gardener and herbalist, presented a PowerPoint in Nate Truman’s third-grade class to teach the students about the value of micro prairies in urban landscapes. She also presented Truman with a book entitled “Plant a Pocket of Prairie” by Phyllis Root with illustrations by Betsy Bowen. Funding for the books this year came from the Northfield Rotary Club.

The Northfield-based Wild Ones chapter teamed up with staff from the Rice Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to make the presentations at area schools. The District partnered with the Faribault and Northfield Rotary Clubs, Donahue’s Greenhouse and the Tri-Lakes Sportsmen’s Club to fund the project.

The idea for the project began with Rotarian Dr. Richard Huston, a former Rice SWCD Supervisor, who organized the project and brought the partners together. He received a copy of the children’s book “Plant a Pocket of Prairie” from a friend, which planted the “seed” for his idea.

“Most students at this age love butterflies and other insects. They were very engaged and asked great questions about pollinators and planting the meadow blazing star. It was so rewarding to share in their enthusiasm,” said Teresa DeMars. “As a District, we hope to expand the project to more schools in the county next year.”

Meanwhile, Truman’s students were attentive and curious during Raadt’s talk. There were many hands in the air from the budding green thumbs.

When they are not volunteering at area schools, the Wild Ones chapter hosts monthly events and tours of native gardens, natural areas, parks, and arboretums. Each May the chapter hosts a Native Plant sale at the Emmaus Church and each November offers a native seed share event.

The Wild Ones is a national non-profit organization with chapters in 35 states and over 10,000 members.