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COLUMBUS—On Wednesday, November 6, Champions of Wildlife and Polk County Middle School students designed and planted a pollinator garden behind the school’s library, creating a vibrant space filled with native plants. 

The planting event brought together dedicated volunteers from many of the community’s organizations. CFW Education Coordinator Emily Sommerfeldt, Brad Thompkins from Fish & Wildlife Services, Kim Bailey of Milkweed Farms, Sam Shelby from Americorps, and PCMS teachers Jeanne Ferran and Kim Weathers all took part in the educational and fun event.

Aimed to support children coping with the trauma brought on by Tropical Storm Helene’s aftermath, the event allowed children and volunteers to come together for a day of play while sprucing up the environment as well. 

“Getting out in nature and digging in the dirt is one of the most therapeutic activities for kids and our volunteers,” said CFW Executive Director Loti Woods. 

Classes were split, with one group heading outside to plant for part of the time and the other half studying fractals and using the crafting technique of quilling to create their own fractal art pieces. 

“The therapeutic benefits of gardening are evident as children engage with the earth, fostering healing through nature,” says Alexis Hinchcliffe, Education Manager for Champions of Wildlife. “We get massive support from the school system, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without passionate teachers who didn’t mind getting dirty in the mud.”

Initially, the garden was to be planted at Laughter Pond, with over 100 plants generously donated before the storm. However, new plans were needed due to the destruction from Helene, as the county required the pond area for heavy equipment needed to clear out the accumulated silt. 

Woods and her team quickly shifted strategies, with the original plants now unavailable.

“Scrambling to find alternatives, we refused to let the kids down,” Woods noted. 

Local residents, including Corrie Woods, Dale Weiler, and Karen Byrd, responded to the call for help, digging up and donating plants. Conserving Carolina also stepped in, mobilizing volunteers to assist with the planting.

The garden was relocated to an existing space behind the school. The kids have wasted no time getting to work, removing invasive species to make way for native pollinator plants, a vital step in restoring local ecosystems.

“We ended up planting over 150 plants with seven different classes, plus the kids got to do an art project in addition to planting,” said Woods. “This garden is not just about plants; it’s about healing, learning, and building a lifelong passion for conservation. We are planting seeds of hope and love for our environment.”