Funded Projects2023 Funded Project: Dyck Arboretum of the Plains

Championing Hands-On Education

Since 1981, when the first tree of the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains was planted, the organization has remained dedicated to promoting educational efforts, creating positive community experiences, and providing innovative and creative pathways for people to connect with the land. To promote a healthy relationship with nature and get children outside and involved with their natural surroundings, Dyck Arboretum has launched an Earth Partnership for Schools (EPS) Program, offering K-12 students more hands-on educational opportunities.

Fostering Community Engagement

Through the EPS Program, local teachers are able to study the model prairie with their students and then plan, plant, maintain, and research their prairie gardens as schoolyard learning laboratories. Because native plant gardening makes urban landscapes more biologically diverse and aesthetically pleasing, implementing such practices with students at K-12 schools adds an element of environmental education to institutions that are critical pillars of the community. Additionally, the process of creating and maintaining native plant gardens also opens up many avenues of engagement with community volunteers, businesses, and families!

Expanding Outdoor Learning Opportunities

In honor of Chris’ adventurous spirit, love of people, and passion for travel, the Chris Mikesell Foundation aims to support opportunities for young people to experience nature and recently awarded a $4,000 grant to Dyck Arboretum to further their Earth Partnership for Schools (EPS) Program. The funds donated have enabled the program to host a week-long summer training institute for K-12 teachers at Dyck Arboretum, along with a follow-up one-day winter institute, provide prairie education field trips to local students, assist teachers and students with site preparation and garden planting, and offer guidance to schools during the garden maintenance and study process.