Submitted photos A group of students at Midland Elementary School pull weeds and put down mulch in one of the butterfly gardens at the school. The students teamed with the Emma Scott Garden Club for the project.

ELKINS – Third-grade students at Midland Elementary School and members of the Emma Scott Garden Club recently joined forces for a hands-on community service day.     

The two groups, which included Mallorie Judy’s third graders, spent the day weeding and mulching the two butterfly gardens that are located outside the school.      

“The project focused on weed removal and mulching the school’s butterfly gardens, transforming the space into a healthier, more welcoming habitat for pollinators,” said Lead Shepler, Title 1 Interventionist at Midland. “The day offered a practical lesson in giving back to the community, emphasizing the value of collaboration among ESGC members, teachers and school staff at Midland Elementary.”   

During the project, students carried buckets of mulch to the garden beds, shared knowledge about different plants, and developed a sense of accomplishment.   

“We try to get the kids involved, get them out a couple times a year and teach them how to do the weeding and things like that,” Shepler said. “This year we were able to identify the poison ivy that was in the garden and we had to get it out. And I learned the lesson more than they did because I was the one who got it (poison ivy).”   

The butterfly gardens were constructed by the ESGC back in 2020 at the school for students to take care of and manage throughout the year. The gardens have various milkweed and other native plants that are essential to their success. Former Midland Elementary teacher Sara Wamsley was originally in charge of helping the students with butterfly gardens. After accepting another position with the county’s school system, Shepler took charge of the task.   

“The collaboration underscores the importance of community involvement in maintaining school groups and supporting local ecosystems,” Shepler said. “The ESGC looks forward to future initiatives that nurture curiosity, environmental stewardship and a sense of camaraderie among students and volunteers alike.”      

The butterfly gardens garnered two prestigious awards in 2020, including the Arndt Award for environment education and the Winifred S. Sink Award for youth environmental concerns. The Arndt Award is given out by the West Virginia Garden Club, while the Sink Award is handed out by the National Garden Club.   

“Each spring, Matt Davis from Terra Flora Landscaping is really good about donating the mulch we need for the gardens,” Shepler said. “We really appreciate his contribution to our butterfly garden project.”