"If we don’t start making serious changes to the way we live, it could be detrimental for the earth. This is why we believe that young people need to be both educated about our planet and the struggles it is going through, but also empowered and treated with respect.” These wise words were spoken by Grade 11 Environmental Science students from Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School in Orillia as part of their pollination project.

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Environmental Program at Patrick Fogarty was challenged by Parks Canada to develop a business idea, activity or program to help pollinators. One group of students created the idea of P.A.L.S. - Pollinator Ambassador Leaders in Schools, and, in particular, presented a seeding activity. The activity has younger students create golf ball sized seed balls out of recycled paper mache and locally sourced native wildflower seeds. These get planted at home and voila! -  wildflowers grow.

On Monday, June 20th, the first day of National Pollinator Week, a group of students from the class as well as the school's EcoClub decided to bring their idea to fruition. The students lead two Grade 3/4 classes from Monsignor Lee Catholic School through an activity to create 'wildflower seed balls', to teach them about the importance of pollinators.

You can make your own wildflower seed balls - here are some simple instructions. https://www.cbc.ca/parents/play/view/diy-earth-day-wildflower-seed-bombs