The “Birds, Butterflies, & Bees” (BBB) program promotes ecological recovery and environmental education by planting native vegetation in public and private greenspaces and creating native species school gardens. These projects demonstrate the beauty and low resource use/impact of native plants, while enhancing habitat values for wildlife such as birds, butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators. School gardens planted with regional native species foster an appreciation for the natural habitats in which they occur and provide rewarding “hands on” opportunities for students to for integrating environmental education into the curriculum.
Each BBB project draws students into the live, interactive setting important to experiential lesson plans. Students are encouraged to actively participate in the development and planning of their school’s bird/butterfly habitat. The educational garden installations have the potential to earn environmental habitat certificates from GNPS, NWF, Audubon, and the Forest Service providing recognition for student efforts. Wildlife monitoring programs organized by Audubon, Forest Service and NWF can further integrate the garden into the science curriculum as well as reward students’ efforts to realize a successful school science project.
Although Georgia’s natural heritage cannot be restored to just the way it was 250 years ago, we can, with research and perseverance, put back much of what once was. For more information, or to become involved in a community project, visit the Birds Butterflies & Bees website at www.birdsbutterfliesbees.org
Magnolia auriculata, Rhododendron ferruginium , Kalmia latifolia , Robinia Montana, Azalea Flammula, Rosa paniculata, Calycanthus floridus, Philadelphus inodorus, perfumed Convalria majalis, Anemone thalictroides, Anemone hepatica, Erythronium maculatum, Leontice thalictroides, Trillium sessile, Trillium cessnum, Cypripedium, Arethuza, Ophrys, Sanguinaria, Viola, Uvularia, Epigea, Mitchella repens, Stewarti, Halesia, Styrax , Lonicera, &c.”
- A list of the plants in the area of Oglethorpe County pulled from the “Travels of William Bartram,” 1773.
