Service Sparks: Bee and Butterfly Garden
Keywords:
A Community of Givers
Bees
Community Service Project
Environment
Family
Garden
SimpleSafeService
Ignite meaningful action that lights up the world through "Service Sparks" youth projects! Get outside and take care of nature that takes care of us! Create a welcome environment for birds and beneficial insects by providing water and flowering plants.
SERVICE SPARKS
Ignite meaningful action that lights up the world through "Service Sparks" youth projects!
Bees, butterflies, and birds need water! When the sun is hot, provide a source of water and draw pollinators to your garden with bright flowers. Many people know about bird baths, but bees also need water for digestion and to keep their hives cool. Provide a simple bath for insects and animals.
- Clean a used 2-liter bottle or shallow plastic container. If using a 2-liter bottle, measure up 3 inches from the base and (with adult supervision for young children) cut the bottle around the diameter. Use tape to cover the sharp plastic edge. This makes a shallow dish.
- Tape or glue an eating utensil (plastic or metal) lengthwise from one side of the container to the other, as a perch for birds and insects. Or put stones in the dish for the guests to stand on while they drink.
- Fill the container with water, leaving 1 centimeter from the top edge. Put the water well outside and watch the animals and insects that stop by for a drink!
- Plant bright flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and birds, and make your garden a sanctuary. Flat or shallow blossoms, such as daisies, zinnias, asters and Queen Anne's lace, will attract the largest variety of bees.
- BONUS: Make a "bird treat." Tie a string around a pine cone, spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the pine cone, roll it in bird seed, and hang the "bird treat" from a tree.
- Learn more with a Learning to Give lesson Beneficial Bees and open the door to a local beekeeper here.
Reflection: Keep a journal of insect and animal visitors you see each day. Make notes about changes noticed and ideas for improvements. Reflect on your role in helping nature thrive.
Explore more Service Sparks projects:
Learning to Give ...
- educates youth about philanthropy, the civil society sector, and the importance of giving their time, talent and treasure for the common good (knowledge),
- equips youth by encouraging philanthropic behavior and experience (skills), and,
- empowers youth to take voluntary citizen action for the common good in their classrooms, lives and communities (behavior).