MEADOWSCAPING FOR BIODIVERSITY

Meadowscaping for Biodiversity

Meadowscaping for Biodiversity is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to educate youth about nature and business by planting and selling native plant species.

Through youth education and employment as well as the hard work of our dedicated team, MS4B is working to restore the landscape of Massachusetts to encourage biodiversity and natural order.

A piece on MS4B was published in the local section of the August 4, 2018, Boston Sunday Globe. The Waltham News Tribune published an article in July 2018.

Why Native Plants?
Doug Tallamy's "Gardening for Life."

Part of our answer to this question is an outdoor environmental education program for students of all ages.

8-unit curriculum and fun, engaging activities
Educate citizen scientists and stewards of the Earth to try to resolve challenges to the environment and human society.
Participants repurpose monocultural turf lawn into meadows--productive, attractive ecosystems gardens with native flowers, shrubs, and grasses
Increase biodiversity, pollinator and wildlife habitat

Native plants were growing in this area before the 1500s when colonists brought other plants here. Native insects evolved with these plants and can subsist only on those specific indigenous flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees.

Ornamental and invasive plant s are popular with gardeners but they detract from the biodiversity of an area by replacing local plants, which are essential to building biodiversity in ecosystems. Invasive plants grow rapidly in new areas because the changing climate may benefit them more and local animals can't subsist on them.

Youth Education

MS4B offers two types of project-based STEAM outdoor environmental programs.

Meadow Clubs and Camps

Specialty summer camps and after-school programs
Youth age 7 - 14 learn about biodiversity, ecology, and earth stewardship
Repurpose lawn into pollinator patches and meadows
Native plants, shrubs, and grasses...and bees and butterflies

Summer 2018 Youth Environmental Entrepreneurship Program in Cambridge and Waltham

WALTHAM AND CAMBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RETURNED this summer in the second year of the YEEP Program.

Teens age 15 - 19
2018 - Two groups -- Cambridge and Waltham
Teens learn about gardening with native plants as well as how to create and run a business
College intern team leaders/ mentors guide the youth through the operation of a specialty service business
Youth sell and install native plants for residential and business customers
Youth receive an hourly wage during summer employment
Youth gain 21st Century career-readiness skills

Both MS4B program areas emphasize hands-on, project-based learning in the great outdoors! And we strive to empower participants to become stewards of the Earth and to take charge of their futures.

Hardy, Drought-Tolerant
Native Plants

THE BUSINESS OF SAVING NATURE

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SELL NATIVE PLANTS

Buy beautiful, hardy, drought-tolerant perennial native plants from teens in YEEP to help them gain 21st century career-readiness skills and work experience. You'll increase biodiversity in your backyard and build environmental resilience in your community.

Call 781-209-0052 or email info@meadowmaking.org to set up an appointment to see the flowers.

Download the order form (PLANT SERVICES) and send with your check to: Meadowscaping for Biodiversity, c/o Barbara Passero, 174 Moody St., #244, Waltham, MA 0245

it's fall--plant for pollinators
October 14
10 am - 2 pm
kennard park, newton, ma

IT'S FALL, AND IT'S A GREAT TIME TO PLANT NATIVE FLOWERS, SHRUBS, AND TREES!

It’s fall, and bees and other beneficial insects, and birds still need the food and energy that native perennials provide. Learn how “intentional gardening” with native plants benefits us all.

Design and plant a “pop up” biodiverse meadow filled with hardy, drought-tolerant perennial native plants that sustain pollinators, absorb rainwater into the soil, and trap carbon. Find out how you can do something positive and affordable for the environment and your community by applying what you learn to your own backyard! BEE inspired and leave with plant lists and design ideas.

4-hour program. Native plants, tools, gardening gloves furnished by Friends of Kennard Park. Physical work. Wear old clothes because you’ll get dirty! Bring your own lunch and drink.

CLICK here for registration form