Growing Wetlands in the Classroom
Program Specifics
This program is run in partnership with the Elizabeth River Project. However, each organization’s Growing Wetlands in the Classroom program is administered differently. The details below are for schools participating within the City of Virginia Beach under the direction of Lynnhaven River NOW. Schools outside of the City of Virginia Beach should contact Robin Dunbar, Education Manager with the Elizabeth River Project at 757-399-7487.
Dollar Tree’s Growing Wetlands in the Classroom program aligns well with the Virginia Standards of Learning and STEM.
All new participants are placed on a waiting list and participation is determined in November on a first-come, first served basis. Participation is limited to a certain number of teachers, determined by the program’s level of funding. It is advantageous to be put on the waiting list now by contacting Jody. If you decide later that you are no longer interested, just let Jody know when she sends out the information in late fall.
The Growing Wetlands in the Classroom program runs January through May.
There is a mandatory training class one Saturday in January for new teachers. Returning teachers are always welcome to come for a refresher course. New teachers’ grow labs are distributed at the training.
Plants and planting materials are available for pick up at the Lynnhaven River NOW office at a designated date and time in February.
This program pays for the grow lab, plants, soil, pots, wet box and materials, training and materials, and ongoing consultation.
In April and May, classes plant their plants on specified dates at the predetermined locations with Jody Ullmann, Education Coordinator with Lynnhaven River NOW. Classes are not required to go on transplanting field trips but it does bring the activity full-circle for the students and is highly recommended.
Teachers work together to construct a grow lab at the mandatory teacher trainings to practice putting together their own.
Teacher and School Responsibilities
- New teachers must attend a mandatory Growing Wetlands in the Classroom training in January.
- Teachers are responsible for the setup of their grow lab, picking up plants (plugs) and materials from LRNow and transplanting the plugs into the grow systems as defined by the training. Teachers and students maintain the plants until they are ready to be transplanted.
- Teachers schedule and organize a field trip in April, May or June. Field trip transportation, related costs and scheduling are the responsibility of the school.
- If your group is unable to attend a field trip to plant, you must either make arrangements to plant your plants on your grounds or return them to the LRNow office by a specified time so that other groups can plant your plants.
Helen Kuhns showing Providence Elementary School students planting techniques for the Lake Trashmore shoreline. 2012