Written by: Jeanne Wood
I’m Jeanne, the newest recruit with the Oswego Lake Watershed Council, and I have the best job — supporting outdoor learning and school gardens.
I’ve spent years helping students connect with nature through watershed field trips, school garden programs, and native plant education. I’m excited to expand that work by supporting school infrastructure audits, curriculum development, supplies, and communications.
Each spring, there is so much exciting activity happening in our elementary school gardens — here’s a glimpse into what I support.
Last week at Palisades World Language Elementary, students jumped right into garden-based learning. Younger grades became seed scientists, examining seeds and noticing differences in size, shape, and color. They learned that each type of seed grows into a different plant, then planted their own seeds in the school garden beds.
Older students took a more exploratory approach with a scavenger hunt. They searched the garden and surrounding areas for insects, birds, and plant life, using iPads to document their discoveries. The activity sparked curiosity, movement, and thoughtful observation
These garden experiences are more than just fun — they help students build lasting connections to the natural world. I’m so grateful to support our school gardens.
