Eco-Buddy Volunteers are responsible for maintaining monarch gardens on their respective elementary school property in Anne Arundel County. The monarch gardens are an integral part of the first-grade curriculum. They contain milkweed and nectar flowers to support the monarch butterflies throughout their lifecycle. First-grade classes raise caterpillars and then release the butterflies in the garden. Once the gardens are well established, most of the work involves weeding and trimming seasonally. 

The Environmental Literacy & Outdoor Education office provides volunteer training. We also establish communication between the school and the Eco-Buddy. Eco-Buddies are not required to interact with the students, nor are the teachers required to include the Eco-Buddy in curriculum-based activities unless both are willing. Eco-Buddy Volunteers are required to pass a commercial background check with AACPS and keep it up-to-date every 2 years. 

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at Volunteer-ELOE@aacps.org or 667-492-2500 if you have any questions. 

If your school is need of an Eco-Buddy and you know of a parent or another individual who is interested, feel free to send them a copy of the flyer above or send them to our volunteer interest form. Once they have filled it out, our Volunteer Coordinator will get them set up with an orientation and materials to get them started.