DDWS grants create ‘pocket refuges’ at schools
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that this year’s Environmental Education Grant program has created “pocket refuges” at eight Lee County schools to teach students about the importance of pollinators and the habitat that sustains them. Working with school district Environmental Education Resource Susan Hassett, the DDWS has distributed $1,500 to each school to buy supplies for native pollinator gardens from a menu of native plants, bird houses, trail cameras, solar-powered fountains and other enhancements. Schools submitted proposals for creating gardens and maintaining them for two years. J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who helped coordinate the project, reported, “Besides teaching kids the importance of pollinators, the ‘pocket refuges’ are being used as mini field trips outside the classroom, where teachers can address different class subjects in an experiential way.”