Pollinator Habitat Grant Spotlight

Ms. Lori Berry, STEAM teacher at Orange Grove Charter School, is on a mission: to reconnect children with nature in meaningful and lasting ways. With the help of The Bee Cause Pollinator Habitat grant, she’s bringing that vision to life, one bloom at a time.

From the start, Ms. Berry engaged her students in every aspect of the garden’s creation. “They helped clear the land, plant the seeds, and took ownership of this garden,” she says. Involving students from ages 5 years of age to 5th grade, she has used the space as a living classroom, offering hands-on learning experiences that connect science, technology, engineering, art, and math with the natural world.

“I love gardens, and I think it’s important for everybody to be close to nature,” Ms. Berry explains. The garden has become a sanctuary for both students and pollinators, giving children the opportunity to witness the life cycle of insects firsthand. Instead of relying on store-bought kits, students now observe monarch butterflies and other pollinators in their natural habitat, gaining a deeper understanding of the delicate ecosystems around them. “They’re seeing it, being a part of it, and they’re helping the lifecycle,” she says.

In addition to the pollinator garden, Ms. Berry introduced a rock garden where everyone—students, teachers, and staff—was invited to paint a rock in any design they wished. “It gives a sense of peace,” she adds, highlighting the garden’s role in fostering both environmental and emotional well-being.

Ms. Berry’s ambitions don’t stop there. Her next goal is to extend the garden even further and add seating so everyone can enjoy the space more fully. “Everything is positive about a garden! How can you go wrong?” she says with enthusiasm.

Her passion for nature is evident in every part of her teaching. “It’s my goal and dream, no matter what I do, to be a positive model for anything in nature. Whether it’s plants or animals, they need our support,” she says. A strong advocate for environmental conservation, Ms. Berry teaches her students to understand, respect, and love the environment. By instilling these values early on, she hopes to inspire the next generation to protect and nurture the ecosystems that sustain us all.

Through her efforts, Ms. Berry is not only cultivating a thriving pollinator habitat but also sowing the seeds for long-term ecological responsibility. Research consistently shows that spending time in nature during childhood, coupled with having role models who value the environment, fosters a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship in adulthood. Furthermore, nature-based learning environments have been proven to enhance social skills, improve health, and boost confidence in children.

Ms. Berry has witnessed these positive changes firsthand. “I’m a hands-on learner; I need to touch it, feel it, smell it, hear it. That’s why I teach STEAM,” she shared. “Out here in the garden, their attitudes shift. You can see the tension melt away, like a sigh of relief.”

“I feel so lucky to have the chance to create this garden,” Ms. Berry added. “I want my students to understand how important nature is.”

Thanks to The Bee Cause Pollinator Habitat grant, Ms. Berry’s vision of connecting children with nature is blossoming at Orange Grove Charter School.

Want to hear from her students and catch a glimpse of the garden in action? Don’t miss this Reel on our Instagram page!