HOWELL – Imagine a classroom without walls, where lessons come alive in the vibrant colors of blooming flowers and the gentle buzz of pollinators. That’s the vision coming to life at the Aldrich School, thanks to a joint effort between the school, the Howell Green Team, the Howell Shade Tree Commission, and a donation from First Energy Corporation.
Lisa Doud of the Shade Tree Commission said it has been a great experience working with First Energy on the grant for the donated plants, trees, and over 300 seedlings for the project. She looks forward to continue working with First Energy and Aldrich School on continuing to improve and maintain the pollinator garden.
The garden won’t just add beauty to the area; it will also become a living classroom for over 150 students. Recently, Kimberley Khouzam’s third graders got a jumpstart on their outdoor learning with a class on pollinator plants and garden design from two local experts.
Monmouth County Master Gardeners Pat Duplak and Tim D’Esposito gave the children their first lesson at the garden site.
“You might like pizza, and I might like hot dogs,” began Duplak. “We have a lot of food for everybody because we all like different things, and pollinators like different plants as well.”
Students learned that 110 butterfly species are fluttering around New Jersey. A handout showcased their vibrant colors and unique patterns, while another informative sheet highlighted the most common butterfly species and their plant preferences. From goldenrod and wisteria to milkweed, students gained insights into the specific plants that nourish caterpillars in search of food.
D’Esposito provided students with practical care instructions for the seedlings they received and acknowledged the plants might experience some transplant stress as they adjust to their new environments.
“You’re going to want to pack mulch around your plant,” D’Esposito said. “The mulch is going to help protect and retain the moisture in the water so the plant can get the necessary water nutrients that it needs to grow.”
After discussions with the two master gardeners, students had the opportunity to explore the budding pollinator garden. A crew of volunteers from First Energy had already brought the classroom learning to life, tilling the soil and planting the donated seedlings and mature plants.
Chris Hoenig, a spokesperson for First Energy, the parent company of Jersey Central Power & Light, addressed the students gathered by the garden, explaining the company’s goals in making the garden possible.
“Being able to give back to students like you is important to us,” he said. “In addition to the poles and the wires, the environment is key to us.”
Hoenig noted that apart from one individual dedicated to vegetation management at First Energy, the remaining volunteers contributing to the garden’s planting efforts held diverse roles within the company. These roles span from working in the control center and tracking outages to administrative positions in the billing office and managing line workers.
Principal Drew Smith joined Doud in expressing his gratitude to First Energy for their time and donations. He also pointed out that this was not the first time the power company stepped in to help the school.
Just over a year ago, a powerful tornado tore through Howell, leaving its mark on the school grounds. The storm ripped out a fence by the upper berm behind the building and decimated a backstop, reducing it to a pile of dirt. The destructive winds even sent solar panels flying from the school all the way to the ShopRite area.
“First Energy provided us with the trees that are up where the fence was ripped out,” said Smith.
Hoenig acknowledged that the company planted two dozen trees to help replace what was lost in the storm. During that process, the company identified the area behind the school as a suitable location for a pollinator garden, particularly due to the existing drainage system in that area.
