The Plant City Garden Club sponsored a field trip to the Walden Lake Park and Nature Trail
s for Jackson Elementary gifted students, taught by Elizabeth Damsel.
This year’s Junior Gardener program, chaired by Deb Flock, included learning about non-native invasive plants and gardening. This hands on learning experience was enhanced by the field trip to the park.
Students each had two target plants to identify during the trip using the scientific skills of observation. They previously learned that non-native, invasive plants cause an imbalance of nature by overwhelming native plants and keeping native birds and insects at bay.
The children enjoyed dipping in one of the large ponds using viewers. They were able to identify many organisms of a fresh water pond.
They also compared the butterfly garden at the park to the one at Jackson, both of which are maintained by the Plant City Garden Club. Students were tasked with identifying host and nectar plants needed to sustain a butterfly population.
Each child received plants from the garden club to begin a butterfly habitat in their own yard.