The Lincoln School Native Garden

Mission

The mission of the Lincoln School Native Garden and Habitat Creation Project is to provide an improved habitat for our native and migrating birds, butterflies, and pollinators; as well as a unique research and learning space for our students and River Forest community. The garden will encourage curiosity and self-directed learning for our students, as well as provide opportunities for aligning learning to the Next Generation Science Standards. The garden will form an important school/community bond, both local and global, through continued learning, communication, discussion, and sharing of our mission.

Objectives

The native garden and the outdoor classroom/research area will be an evolving problem-identification and problem-solving space integrating STEM, Art, ELA, and Social Studies (STEAMELASS).

The Lincoln School Native Garden Steering Committee will establish and maintain a school/community connection through the development of service learning projects and school/community events.

The native garden will be and comprised of Illinois native plants only, whereas the proposed research garden will include both native and non-native plant species.

The native garden will support the work of local organizations who support our mission of creating an improved habitat.

The native garden will encourage the biodiversity of the existing area around Lincoln School.

The garden will be pesticide-free.

Kindergarten students and Habitat Helpers will be responsible for designing, executing, and maintaining a native garden habitat for migrating and local birds, wildlife, and pollinators.

Lincoln students in grades 1-4 and/or Habitat Helpers will be responsible for designing, executing, and maintaining the outdoor classroom and dedicated research area.