Irrigation irrigation irrigation!

Irrigation is in! With the help of 5 incredible helpers, Mike, Mike, Shula, DJ and Chris we were able to install three rain barrels, 200 feet of irrigation with 75 emitters for each individual plant! The process was slow and difficult with punching holes, connection tubes, along with emitters but it will pay in the long run.















While promising Sugarloaf school of no financial burden by this project, I offered alternative watering outlets which are self sustaining rain barrels. Native plants that have been transplanted from pot to earth need at least 3 years of scheduled water (depending on plant), according to Midge from Earth and Sea Irrigation. The rain barrels and irrigation system donated by Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority will play a vital role in the success of the habitat for years to come.















I hope teachers will incorporate the rain barrels in their current curriculum and teach students the importance of alternative watering and water conservation.

Straight from the Key West Citizen front page!

Article Tools A Sugarloaf School alumnus has found a way to give back to her elementary and middle school alma mater in the form of an outdoor classroom equipped with walking paths and native plants instead of desks and bookshelves.
Class adds 'More Nature'
By MANDY BOLEN Citizen Staff















Ashley Moore grew up in Big Pine Key and left her native Florida Keys to attend college in Arizona, where she is majoring in environmental and marine studies.

Eventually, Moore wants to teach high school students, but right now said the ideal job would be to continue installing all-native, outdoor classrooms in all Monroe County schools.

As part of her undegraduate degree requirements, Moore has implemented her own More Nature program at Sugarloaf School.



"My aim is to create a space in which students have the opportunity to learn about companionship and stewardship with the natural world," she said.

When finished, the all-native, outdoor classroom will be in the heart of the school's campus and will include plants that attract butterflies, Sugarloaf Principal Terri Axford said.

"She's also including a walking path," Axford said. "So that when the teachers and students are studying plants in science -- or the life cycle of the butterfly -- they will be able to use this classroom."















Moore presented her project idea to the Sugarloaf School Advisory Committee, and assured Axford and other administrators that it will not cost the school district anything.

Thus far, Moore has received donations of plants, machinery, labor, money and other materials from local nurseries and businesses. The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority donated a rain barrel in which the garden can collect rain for irrigation.

"I worked on a similar project in Arizona, when I was observing a classroom for student teaching," she said.

The plants that are native to Arizona differ greatly from those in the Florida Keys.

The Sugarloaf outdoor classroom will include sea grape, herb of grace, Cuban jute, buttonwood, thatch palm, slash pine and milkweed to attract butterflies.

Moore also will design a curriculum for teachers to use at their will to ensure proper environmental education, she said.














The outdoor classroom likely will be finished in the next two to three weeks -- just in time for the students to celebrate the end of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

"I wanted to come back to my community to give back," said Moore, who spent nine years at the Sugarloaf campus.

"The fact that she chose us makes you feel like you really contributed to the future of a student," Axford said.



To learn more about the project, visit http://morenature.blogspot.com.


mbolen@keysnews.com

The past weekend (February 27th, 28th and March 1st) was incredibly productive for the More Nature project! I wish I could express all of my gratitude in a single letter to all who helped transported plants, materials, and mulch along with heavy labor work and enthusiasm! Ben Hockney, Ashley Miralise and my sister Danielle Moore were a big help on Friday when we filled over 30 bags of mulch donated by Dot Palm, and 5 bags of manure donated by the Monroe County Correction Facility Petting Zoo and transported it all to Sugarloaf School. Thanks folks!



The following Saturday, I was pleasantly surprised by the great help that showed up that morning to dig holes, plant the shrubs and trees and spread mulch. Big thanks goes out to Shula Freedman, Ashley Todd, Midge Jolly and husband for the excellent garden and planting skills. With their help More Nature was able to plant over 60 plants that day! But it wouldn’t had been possible without the enormous help by Mike Townsend (red), and DJ who dug all of the holes by their burly and manly selves! Mucho Gracias you two. I look forward continuing this project and involving as many people as possible!

As time goes on

More Nature

For those who are not familiar with the More Nature Project, Ashley Moore is currently creating an all-native plant habitat to be used as an outdoor classroom. She strongly believes that the educational system needs more alternative teaching outlets. The project employs an optimistic approach of implementing environmental education in the public school setting. Moore, a former Sugarloaf student decided that it would be a wonderful idea to create an all native plant habitat in which students and teachers could use as an alternative learning environment, “My aim is to create a space in which students have the opportunity to learn about companionship and stewardship with the natural world” Moore comments. The all-native habitat is located in the heart of the school where teachers can teach integrated lessons from multidisciplinary aspects, including science, math, writing and humanities, without leaving the campus.
Moore has encountered many obstacles while trying to make her vision a reality. She explains that the most difficult problem she has encountered was receiving funding in tough times that we are currently facing with the economy. Moore has realized that sending emails to over 100 neighboring businesses and organizations would not be sufficient to raise enough money needed for this specific project. She had to reach out to the community on a personal level. Moore traveled and spoke to several local businesses explaining the importance of her worthy project. In turn, Moore has raised fifteen hundred dollars and would personally like to thank all who have contributed financially. A special thanks especially goes out to the Eden House in Key West for the generous donation, love, and support.
Moore thus far has received an incredible amount of support whether it has been through donated time, money or materials. Green Dreams Nursery located in Big Pine Key is supplying machinery work, laborers, and plants. She exclaims that the project wouldn’t be happening without the generous time and money Green Dreams had contributed. She also had a variety of local nurseries donate plants such as 10,000 Palms in Marathon, John Pennekamp Native Plant Nursery, Octopus Garden, Big Pine Key and the Marc House in Key West. Florida Keys Aqueduct Authoriy is also involved, supplying the project with rain barrels so the project will be sustainable for years to come while ensuring the school of no financial burden. Dozens of people and businesses are eager to help. Moore says “I can’t explain how many people have showed genuine passion for the project. Everybody wants to see the habitat succeed. The project wouldn’t be successful without the help from the community, I feel truly blessed to have been born and raised in the Florida Keys.”
Moore hopes the Keynoter will keep the community posted on the progress of the native plant habitat and encourages anyone to contact her if they are interested in learning more about the project. She also stresses that her financial needs are not yet met. Materials, donations, master gardeners, and volunteers are still greatly encouraged. “I will never forget that to obtain a vision of any matter there will be obstacles along the way, but none too big to cross. I know that my convictions and determination will always allow me to prevail no matter how big my dream is.” –Ashley Moore