Brooksbank Elementary School boasts a plethora of Green initiatives, but most exciting is the recent initiation of the students in Mr. Clarke and Mrs. Reichert’s classes to the rank of  “Guardians of the Bees.” 

Partnered up with local expert and dedicated volunteer guardians Ric Erikson and Sharon Lisette, the two classes spent a beautiful morning learning about bees, creating native plant seed pod bombs to plant in surrounding areas. Throughout the year  monthly workshop sessions will include learning about the lifecycles of bees, their role in our ecosystems and mitigate the effects of dwindling populations.  The students look forward to creating bee homes for, to name a couple of these non-aggressive species, mason and leafcutter bees, caring for them over winter and releasing them  . They will also learn to identify and count bees to add to the collective knowledge of North Shore Bee populations, and how they can be helped.

The bees the students raise will have a positive impact on surrounding areas, and help pollinate the Loutet Park Urban Agriculture Project gardens, fondly called Loutet Farm by locals. Ric and Sharon have permission to raise honey bees in hives, as well.

Brooksbank was especially pleased to welcome Mayor Darrell Mussatto to his former elementary school, and School Board Trustee Linda Buchanan to witness the inaugural event and join in the tour. Brooksbank school Principal Arlene Martin also joined in the event. Green Hats Off to Brooksbank!