This project has been made possible only through the generous support of our school and community! The RHS Administrative team has generously provided time, encouragement and funding to keep this project running. Their drive to provide RHS students with diverse learning experiences is what allows an idea like this project to become reality. See below to learn more about others who have provided support to this project!
Donations:
Initial funding of $2000 for this project was provided by the Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation. This funding provided seeds for the prairie as well as materials to prepare the field for planting and for a path.
Hanson Materials (Romeoville), donated 35 tons of crushed stone that has been used for the paths that run through the prairie.
Although much of the original seed for the prairie will be purchased with VVEEF funds, seed donations have also been provided throughout the years by Krista Kirkham, Jack Randich, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie!
Chantal and Todd Barentine donated stakes and couplings for the path edging to help ensure that the path remains weed free, a variety of plants including Swamp Milkweed, and funds to purchase additional seeds!
Cheryl Dowling has donated her time and photography skills to be our official photographer for the project! Many of the pictures on our site were taken by Cheryl! She has also donated funds to purchase additional seeds!
The RHS Woods classes and their teacher, Jim Egizio, have donated time, expertise, and material to build border fences, an entrance arch, a large banner frame, and a butterfly nursery for our space!
Xavier and Blaise Clairardin have donated time, expertise, and materials to build nest boxes for birds on our site including song birds and Kestrels!
Stephanie Brunetti, RHS LMC Director, and her family have donated a solitary bee hotel to support native bee populations!
Janet Rosendahl, RHS LMC Paraprofessional, and her family have donated funds that will help to bring new species to our prairie AND new books for our Spartan Prairie Tales project!
Equipment loans:
Projects like this always require a ton of equipment, and often the equipment can be prohibitively expensive. Much of the equipment used for this project was loaned to us by the following supporters:
RHS Maintenance Team
James Egizio
Blaise Clairardin
RHS CTE Department
Interested in supporting the Spartan Prairie? Contact us!