St. Marguerite d’Youville Students Bring Pollinator Garden Project to Life

Students at St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School recently took part in the planting of a new pollinator garden, a collaborative environmental initiative made possible through the support of the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) and its community partners.

Led by CLOCA, the project transformed an outdoor space on school grounds into a vibrant pollinator habitat that will support local biodiversity while providing students with hands-on learning opportunities. The garden's foundation was enhanced through community partnerships, including the delivery of compost and mulch and the involvement of students from Henry Street High School, who helped create colourful crochet squares to be installed on the school's bike racks.

The pollinator garden will serve as a living classroom, supporting inquiry-based learning in environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and conservation. Students will also participate in related activities such as designing rock plant markers and contributing to Bug Quest Canada, an insect identification and field study initiative that encourages observations and data collection in nature.

Rooted in our Catholic faith, the project also reflects our shared responsibility to be stewards of God's creation. By caring for the environment and helping pollinators thrive, students are putting their faith into action by protecting and nurturing the gifts God has entrusted to us. Students are embodying this year’s spiritual theme, Shining Our Light, by making a positive difference in the world around them through service, environmental responsibility, and care for creation.

This exciting project reflects St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School's commitment to experiential learning and environmental responsibility. The school looks forward to showcasing the garden as part of its Meet the Teacher Night and Open House, celebrating the many partnerships that helped bring this vision to life.