Thanks to the assistance of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, the garden has been recognized as a “Certified Schoolyard Habitat” through the NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program. According to the federation, over 11,000 schools nationwide have “transformed their schoolyards into thriving wildlife habitats that provide essential elements all wildlife need: natural food sources, clean water, cover, and places to raise young.”

“We are excited to have another school join our growing list of more than 11,000 certified Schoolyard Habitats. Students can now personally experience nature, protect wildlife, and learn through hands-on experiences in an outdoor environment,” said Liz Soper, Senior Director of K-12 Programs for the National Wildlife Federation.

The designation is the culmination of nearly four years of planning and execution by Bush Elementary teachers Amy Anderson and Annie Berg. The Bush School Garden — the first among JPS elementary buildings — was built in 2022 following a year of development and a United States Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant that was awarded to the district and the Jamestown Public Market. The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and conservationist Carol Markham have also been instrumental in the habitat’s development.

“Becoming a Certified Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat from the National Wildlife Federation is an honor because it is proof that we have helped restore a native habitat, provided access to nature education for more than 150 Bush School students in the last three years, and created the beginning stages of an outdoor classroom,” said Anderson, a universal pre-kindergarten teacher at Bush. “We are grateful for all the support we’ve received from both the community and our families to help make this experience possible for our students.”

Bush Elementary School students (left to right) Zoey Isaman, Layla Sprague, and Amelia Hoover stand in front of the school garden fence next to a new sign from the National Wildlife Federation that designates the garden as a “Certified Schoolyard Habitat.”

The garden has also become a valuable means to engage both students and families: 55 students participated last spring with 27 on a waiting list. Additionally, 11 families volunteered time over summer to water and harvest, and hosted five “pop ups” where nine different families came to help harvest garlic, mow, weed, water, and pick vegetables to take home.

“We are so proud of the growth and development of the Bush School Garden Club over these last four years,” said Kate Benson, Bush School Principal. “Thanks to tireless efforts by Amy and Annie and the generous assistance of our community, this has become one of the most popular activities at Bush, and allows us to be steadfast in our vision to see every child learning every day.”