As part of our shared commitment to Earth Day, The Renaissance International School (TRIS) community came together last weekend for a day of gardening under a perfect cerulean sky.
While the community was busy mulching, pruning, and weeding the Vegetable Patch and the Pollinator Garden, our young participants took the lead in planting new pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant plants, demonstrating their growing understanding and involvement in environmental conservation.
The children saw many critters in their yard work, like salamanders, pill bugs, spiders, beetles, and earthworms. They discussed the importance of sharing nature—and the garden—with the many creatures that depend on it for shelter and sustenance. The children learned how hummingbirds use bits of twigs, leaves, spider webs, moss, and lichen to make their nests. They were thrilled to quietly appreciate the TRIS resident hummingbird perched in her nest while they worked around in the yard.
A bird bath was also installed to give respite to all the little creatures that will rely on it to get through the long summer days we are blessed with in California. The children beautifully painted and decorated stones to beautify the bird bath. On their walk to the playground, the children get excited to see birds perched on the rim, quenching their thirst.
In addition to maintaining its pollinator garden, the TRIS community is working to establish a Monarch Butterfly Waystation, a place that provides the necessary resources for Monarch butterflies. As a first step, the children planted seeds of the suitable host plants in the Pollinator Garden.
The younger students at the Pre-Primary and Primary levels also raised butterflies as part of their classroom activities for Earth Day.
We appreciate the TRIS community for joining us this Earth Day!
Maulshree S.
TPA Environmental and Earth Day Co-Chair.
