Benefits of Native Plantings in Yards, Gardens and Vacant Lots
Grades 6+
INTRODUCTION/ENGAGE
What is the difference between the landscape out our windows now compared to what it was 100 years ago in the same place?
How and why did it change?
People plant non-native trees and flowers and grow large expanses of turfgrass. Some environmental specialists encourage us to plant more native species. There are many reasons prairies and native plants benefit our communities.
DO/EXPLORE
Divide the class into teams of three or four and assign each team a topic or issue from the list below to research and report on. The reports should include the benefits or problems of native plants related to the identified issue. Each team should determine whether its issue has an economic or environmental impact on the community.
The students can get information on these issues at the EPA website, “Green Landscaping with Native Plants,” http://www.epa.gov/greenacres/toolkit/chap2.html).
ECONOMIC
1. Cost of landscape installation and maintenance
2. Expense of storm water management facilities
ENVIRONMENTAL
1. Soil erosion
2. Water quality
3. Air pollution
4. Noise pollution
5. Greenhouse effect
REFLECT/EXPLAIN EVALUATE
Have the students share their reports with the class.
After researching native prairie plants and prairies, would you encourage people to plant more native plants and prairies?
Why?
Native plants and prairies have economic and environmental benefits.
APPLY/EXPAND EVALUATE
The students can learn about the process required to make changes in a community. Have them work together as a class to write a proposal for a new prairie to be planted in a city park area or at their school. They should work in teams to develop the following sections to their proposal: Reasons and benefits of a prairie at the park or school (How will it be used) Who the key players are – administrators, volunteers, parents, students, school or park maintenance staff Who will pay for the project and how the money will be raised Where to locate the prairie and how large to make it When and how it will it be planted Who will maintain it After the sections are written, assemble them into a single proposal. You may want to pursue the proposal and plant a small prairie as a community service project.
INTRODUCTION/ENGAGE
What is the difference between the landscape out our windows now compared to what it was 100 years ago in the same place?
How and why did it change?
People plant non-native trees and flowers and grow large expanses of turfgrass. Some environmental specialists encourage us to plant more native species. There are many reasons prairies and native plants benefit our communities.
DO/EXPLORE
Divide the class into teams of three or four and assign each team a topic or issue from the list below to research and report on. The reports should include the benefits or problems of native plants related to the identified issue. Each team should determine whether its issue has an economic or environmental impact on the community.
The students can get information on these issues at the EPA website, “Green Landscaping with Native Plants,” http://www.epa.gov/greenacres/toolkit/chap2.html).
ECONOMIC
1. Cost of landscape installation and maintenance
2. Expense of storm water management facilities
ENVIRONMENTAL
1. Soil erosion
2. Water quality
3. Air pollution
4. Noise pollution
5. Greenhouse effect
REFLECT/EXPLAIN EVALUATE
Have the students share their reports with the class.
After researching native prairie plants and prairies, would you encourage people to plant more native plants and prairies?
Why?
Native plants and prairies have economic and environmental benefits.
APPLY/EXPAND EVALUATE
The students can learn about the process required to make changes in a community. Have them work together as a class to write a proposal for a new prairie to be planted in a city park area or at their school. They should work in teams to develop the following sections to their proposal: Reasons and benefits of a prairie at the park or school (How will it be used) Who the key players are – administrators, volunteers, parents, students, school or park maintenance staff Who will pay for the project and how the money will be raised Where to locate the prairie and how large to make it When and how it will it be planted Who will maintain it After the sections are written, assemble them into a single proposal. You may want to pursue the proposal and plant a small prairie as a community service project.
