Project Supports -
The Elms plays a critical role in assisting local schools and community groups. We provide free plants from The Elms native plant nursery, we loan out shovels, rakes, gloves etc., we consult with schools about their garden projects, we assist with green school applications and so much more.
Below is not a complete list.
Learn more about The Elms Native Plant Nursery - About the nursery and check out what we grow.
What we give away: In 2010- 1,316 plants were given away, 2011 -643, 2012 -248, 2013 -358.
Below is not a complete list.
Learn more about The Elms Native Plant Nursery - About the nursery and check out what we grow.
What we give away: In 2010- 1,316 plants were given away, 2011 -643, 2012 -248, 2013 -358.
The Elms provides local schools frog eggs, tadpoles or salamander eggs upon request
Visiting classes sometimes request eggs to raise as a school project. We are happy to help!
Visiting classes sometimes request eggs to raise as a school project. We are happy to help!
Lexington Park Elementary School Plants Seeds for their Milkweed Patch (03/2014)
Mr. Gibson's 5th grade class at LPES work together to plant milkweed seeds. The resulting plants are to be used in their milkweed patch they wish to establish at their school in an attempt to help the struggling monarch population. Great Work students!!!
We made a little bit of a mess but I think it was worth it.
Elms staff member went to their school and talked about monarchs with the students then assisted students in this activity. We also provided all the necessary supplies.
Mr. Gibson's 5th grade class at LPES work together to plant milkweed seeds. The resulting plants are to be used in their milkweed patch they wish to establish at their school in an attempt to help the struggling monarch population. Great Work students!!!
We made a little bit of a mess but I think it was worth it.
Elms staff member went to their school and talked about monarchs with the students then assisted students in this activity. We also provided all the necessary supplies.
Lexington Park Elementary School Native Tree Planting (03/2014)
The Elms will be assisting Lexington Park Elementary School in a tree planting at their school. They will plant three trees and several other smaller plants in a native plant garden at their school. Second graders will be coming out and doing the planting as well as spreading mulch etc.
Provided Native Plants supporting Mrs. Meny's Projects at Esperanza Middle School Teacher (2013)
Emily Meny -An EMS teacher named the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.
"According to information handed out at the meeting, Meny was honored “for her work to advance environmental education by teaching students both inside and outside of the classroom about their natural world. A ‘No Child Left behind’ supporter, Ms. Meny has taught her students the importance of writing legislators about Bay issues; she has installed rain gardens on school property; she is co-chair of her school’s engineering club and science festival; and she has created lesson plans that include school yard report cards, tree identification, water quality testing and more.”
In addition to the award, Meny will receive a $2,500 grant to be used for environmental projects and programs for her school.
The Elms supports the maintenance of this garden with free plants.
Emily Meny -An EMS teacher named the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.
"According to information handed out at the meeting, Meny was honored “for her work to advance environmental education by teaching students both inside and outside of the classroom about their natural world. A ‘No Child Left behind’ supporter, Ms. Meny has taught her students the importance of writing legislators about Bay issues; she has installed rain gardens on school property; she is co-chair of her school’s engineering club and science festival; and she has created lesson plans that include school yard report cards, tree identification, water quality testing and more.”
In addition to the award, Meny will receive a $2,500 grant to be used for environmental projects and programs for her school.
The Elms supports the maintenance of this garden with free plants.
Oakville Elementary School gets Garden and Meadow Maintenance Suggestions from Elms 10/2013
Discussed possible future rain garden, rain barrels, a problematic wet area near basketball court and a wildflower meadow that needed maintenance. We suggested plants for wetland area but when they looked into it further they found they could not plant there due to underground wires. They asked about fire to rejuvenate their meadow and we suggested a once a year mowing in the winter to prevent trees and bushes from taking over. This also prevents invasives like autumn olive from taking over. In addition, Mary Roderick, president of Elms' partner St. Mary's County Garden Club, explained the availability of grant money for environmental projects from her organization.
Discussed possible future rain garden, rain barrels, a problematic wet area near basketball court and a wildflower meadow that needed maintenance. We suggested plants for wetland area but when they looked into it further they found they could not plant there due to underground wires. They asked about fire to rejuvenate their meadow and we suggested a once a year mowing in the winter to prevent trees and bushes from taking over. This also prevents invasives like autumn olive from taking over. In addition, Mary Roderick, president of Elms' partner St. Mary's County Garden Club, explained the availability of grant money for environmental projects from her organization.
The Elms Provided over 100 Native Plants (Free) to Chesapeake Public Charter School Garden (08/2013)
Fourth graders planted this native garden at their school to prevent harmful polluted runoff.
Each student then researched one plant and made a field marker to educate the visitors of our school to each of the species we planted.
"Forty-five students (grades 4 and 7), two teachers, and three parent volunteers helped transform this runoff nightmare into a native garden paradise." See full article here:
http://cbf.typepad.com/chesapeake_bay_foundation/2013/08/fourth-graders-spring-into-action.html
Fourth graders planted this native garden at their school to prevent harmful polluted runoff.
Each student then researched one plant and made a field marker to educate the visitors of our school to each of the species we planted.
"Forty-five students (grades 4 and 7), two teachers, and three parent volunteers helped transform this runoff nightmare into a native garden paradise." See full article here:
http://cbf.typepad.com/chesapeake_bay_foundation/2013/08/fourth-graders-spring-into-action.html
Plants from The Elms Native plant Nursery Used in Garden at Greenwell State Park. (summer 2013)
Greenwell is a 596-acre State Park located on the Patuxent River in St. Mary's County, Maryland. In 1971, John Phillip Greenwell, Jr. and his sister, Mary Wallace Greenwell, donated their 166.6 acre farm to the State of Maryland for use as a public park for everyone. The state subsequently purchased the adjacent 430-acre Bond property and joined the two to form the existing park. The park is managed in partnership with The Greenwell Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outdoor accessible recreation.
Greenwell is a 596-acre State Park located on the Patuxent River in St. Mary's County, Maryland. In 1971, John Phillip Greenwell, Jr. and his sister, Mary Wallace Greenwell, donated their 166.6 acre farm to the State of Maryland for use as a public park for everyone. The state subsequently purchased the adjacent 430-acre Bond property and joined the two to form the existing park. The park is managed in partnership with The Greenwell Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outdoor accessible recreation.
After School Presentation at Hollywood Elementary (Winter 2013)
Three members of Elms staff presented animal habitat program for a Learning Enrichment After School Program (LEAP). Students learned to identify animal tracks, and searched for them on their school grounds.
Staff: Denise Shrum, Dawn Lessel, Kurt Reitz
Three members of Elms staff presented animal habitat program for a Learning Enrichment After School Program (LEAP). Students learned to identify animal tracks, and searched for them on their school grounds.
Staff: Denise Shrum, Dawn Lessel, Kurt Reitz
Elms staff assist Chopticon High School students with botany activity. (05/2012)
Students were to collect specimens while on a hike and to identify them as part of a larger project.
Students were to collect specimens while on a hike and to identify them as part of a larger project.
Myrtle Point Projects
The Elms Nursery contributed trees to several projects at Myrtle Point Park. Members of a cub scout troop who help with trail work and planted trees in this area.
Bob Boxwell
Executive Director
Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust
The Elms Nursery contributed trees to several projects at Myrtle Point Park. Members of a cub scout troop who help with trail work and planted trees in this area.
Bob Boxwell
Executive Director
Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust
Hellen Creek Forest and Wildlife Preserve in Lusby (neighboring Calvert County)
These pictures were taken at an invasive removal event last spring. The garden we are clearing has columbine, black-eyed Susan, and goldenrod from the Elms.
These pictures were taken at an invasive removal event last spring. The garden we are clearing has columbine, black-eyed Susan, and goldenrod from the Elms.
Elms contributes to other Calvert County Projects:
Plants from the Elms nursery were used at Appeal Elementary for several rain gardens and a pollinator garden. A rain garden at the Chespax office in Kings Landing used plants from the Elms including American Beautyberry. The Drum Point Property Owners Association removed a concrete tank and planted a rain garden using redbud, marsh hibiscus, columbine, and bayberry.
Plants from the Elms nursery were used at Appeal Elementary for several rain gardens and a pollinator garden. A rain garden at the Chespax office in Kings Landing used plants from the Elms including American Beautyberry. The Drum Point Property Owners Association removed a concrete tank and planted a rain garden using redbud, marsh hibiscus, columbine, and bayberry.
Hollywood Elementary School (04/2011)
Dynard Elementary (2011-13)
The Elms provided Milkweed for a monarch meadow, natives for a rain garden, trees for a school forest planted by students and mentors participating in the Future Leaders of the World (FLOW) Mentoring Program.
The Elms provided Milkweed for a monarch meadow, natives for a rain garden, trees for a school forest planted by students and mentors participating in the Future Leaders of the World (FLOW) Mentoring Program.
Loaned animals for study for weekly integrated science and language arts lessons for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes at Lexington Park Elementary. (2011-2013)
Elms' resident and visiting tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, turtles, oysters, fishes etc. went on reverse field trips to Lexington Park Elementary to engage student's observational and descriptive skills
Elms' resident and visiting tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, turtles, oysters, fishes etc. went on reverse field trips to Lexington Park Elementary to engage student's observational and descriptive skills