Matthew S. Schell
Professor Haque
Horticulture 208
Reaction on Sustainable School Courtyards
Upon completion of my action to design a sustainable children’s courtyard with the theme of "The Secret Garden" in mind, I came to the distinct realization of how beneficial it is to utilize native plants in the landscape wherever possible. The project required me to do extensive research on the different qualities each tree possessed. I was able to breakdown a general category of six desirable features for the individual specimen. I now have a clearer picture of which trees attract insects or birds or mammals, and of those, which are drought tolerant and which are recommended for mass or specimen planting, or both.
The opportunity to design for children also was of great benefit to me because for the project I had to step out of my size thirteen boots and step back into my Velcro sneakers with the double-knot from mom. That thought process was the only way to conceptually put together a successful idea as well as a little reminder of a simpler time.
I have also come to see how successful outdoor learning environments are and how important it is to teach children of today how frail the environment is and what can be done to be good stewards of the land. Being naïve when you are young is cute, but when you get older, that excuse just won’t work anymore. Education is the key, for I just learned with this project, what should be common sense
.