Beyond Recycling: Native Seed 'Bombs'
By Contributor
Mrs. Heikkila’s Gr. 6/7 class at Rossland Summit School enjoyed getting their hands dirty while making their own Native Seed Bombs for Earth Day.
The students have been participating in Beyond Recycling, a 24-week Wildsight program that tackles topics such as energy, waste and consumption. Using a hands-on approach and local community expertise, the program empowers students to come up with creative and positive solutions to environmental challenges.
Each student made four seed bombs containing four native, non-invasive seed species: Round Leaved Alumroot, Small Flowered Penstemon, Yellow Glacier Lilly and Bee Blend Wildflowers. They then tossed them into the re-established North Jubilee Wetland area on Earth Day. “The seed bombs were easy to make and it was nice not to have to coordinate tools and other materials to do the planting. Just toss, grow, and enjoy,” said Jess Williams, local Wildsight educator.
Along with learning about why we celebrate Earth day, each student learned why using non-invasive plant species is vital to increasing biodiversity. The students left with two seed bombs of their own to distribute in a location of their choice: their backyard or somewhere in the community. “Guerrilla gardening is so cool!” Exclaimed one student. “I’m tossing my seed bomb into an ugly spot on the side of the road that I always pass by as I walk to school.”
With some rain, sunshine, and some luck, Rossland will have beautiful new plants growing this season—thanks to the Beyond Recycling students at RSS and this Earth Day event!
Wildsight acknowledges the generous support of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, Columbia Basin Trust, Fortis BC, the WC Kitchen Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment, BC Gaming, and teachers, administrators and parents from schools throughout the region.
