O'Maley is a wonderful school with awesome teachers and great kids. We have a vegetable garden and tons of after school programs. What more could we possibly want? More nature! A butterfly garden is a beautiful and simple way to introduce life into our concrete jungle! The kids at O’maley should have access to the beautiful world around them and it would be a great tool for teachers teaching about metamorphosis and food chains. Students would be able to get their hands dirty and see how their hard work supports other living things. A butterfly garden would do not only this, but it would also help endangered species of butterflies thrive in Gloucester! Species such as Monarch, Spicebush Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, Checkered White butterfly, Black Swallowtail, and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, would all visit our garden. These butterflies would increase biodiversity in the ecosystem that surrounds our school. We would be observing and conserving nature!

To make it happen we would definitely need some help. Harbor house teachers Ms. McGrath and Ms. Hand have already gotten us started by helping students remove dead grass and garbage from our preferred garden spot in the front of the school. Teachers will definitely continue to be involved by getting students interested and willing to help. The organization Backyard Growers (Backyard Growers leads our school garden program) has already volunteered to provide technical assistance. The DPW is helping us to repair our garden bed. Some possible supporters are the Generous Gardeners and Kim Smith, a local butterfly expert. No matter how many people are involved, the students at O’maley will play a huge part in making it awesome!