Leader
Barbara Passero
Location
174 Moody Street Waltham, MA 02453
About the project
Our goal is to design and deliver the most engaging and empowering outdoor environmental education programs as possible that help students grades 2 through 12 experience STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). The mission of Meadowscaping for Biodiversity is to expose youth to these disciplines while empowering them to address real-world challenges to the environment and our society. As an organization we firmly believe that responsible people have the power to effect positive change and gain a wealth of new skills. Our hope is that our students leave our programs with both new skills and the belief that they can make a difference.
Our largest project is the Youth Environmental Entrepreneurship Program (YEEP), where students plant native meadows and sell/install native plants for other organizations and customers. We are looking to raise money so that we can elevate YEEP to the next level. The money raised through this page specifically will be used for plant and tool purchases, as well as salaries for our college summer interns who help run the show on a more day to day level with our students. This year we are expanding the reach of our program into to more areas: Rock Meadow in Belmont, Mass. and through various areas around Newton, Mass. With your help, we can make the first year at these new locations extra special.
More information about us available at: meadowmaking.org
The Steps
1. Purchase native plants
2. Complete hiring of our college interns
3. Purchase of tools and other accessory items
4. Putting on the best summer program yet!
Why we‘re doing it
We want to educate next generations so that they feel empowered to make change, especially when it comes to the environment, biodiversity loss, and climate change. One of the greatest ways to do this is to teach them about these topics and then aid in their exploration of them by planting native meadows. Meadows filled with hardy, drought tolerant native plants which appeal to bees, caterpillars, butterflies, and birds help restore biodiverse habitats which are essential to plant, animal, and human life. They also supplant invasive species, cool the earth, and soak up rainwater, preventing deluges from polluting our streams, rivers, and oceans—and, thus, protecting our water supply. In addition, after the first month, native plants thrive without intensive watering. Ultimately, we just want out students to engage with the native environment in an enriching and fulfilling way while informing them of the amazing changes that they can facilitate that will help save the planet.