teach for the future outdoor classroom

The Teach for The Future gardens will be located at 601 Main Street on the grounds of the Salado ISD Administrative Building. The gardens are a joint project of the Salado ISD and the Native Plant Society of Texas Tonkawa Chapter. The goal is to work with the teachers of the Salado Schools to add teaching tools to support their curriculum for K-12 students. The gardens will allow the students to do research on climate, drought and freeze tolerant plants and experience the beautiful wildflowers of Texas. There will be pollinator gardens, a Monarch Migration Garden, and Native Texas Bee houses will add insects to the education base. Rainwater storage gardens and rain collection areas will draw attention to the drought and climate changes affecting the Central Texas area. A weather station with monitoring capabilities at the school libraries will add onsite information of rain, wind, and atmospheric conditions.  Native Texas trees will be added for further research of the importance of planting natives to support nature in survival and sustainability activities. All paths and raised gardens will comply with requirements for wheelchair access with areas for disabled students to have access to the gardens. With a proposed stream there will be an opportunity to study our Salado Creek aquatic plants and their importance to the environment and clean water. Research lab materials will be available at the school libraries so that teachers will have access to wind energy, soil testing, water testing, and bird identification kits etc. A four season garden will allow for monitoring of the growth of each native plant during the year and its importance to the birds and pollinators during winter browning. The gardens will be open 7 days a week during daylight hours to allow the public to have access to the gardens. There will be information signs for plants and research areas. The gardens will allow the teachers and students to learn the processes that will act as guides to more successful growing for the future. Please consider supporting this by donating to the gardens at  https://www.gofundme.com/f/cxwrb-teaching-for-the-future