Students and staff explained information about the rain garden Wednesday at Goodland Montessori School, 4800 Graceland Blvd. Standing in the front row from left are sixth grader Riley Kastler, sixth grader Paige Reff, second grader Luca Carpino and second grader Laila Vinson. Standing in the back row are Principal Lisa Johnson, left, and teacher Marianne Giannis.
RYAN PATTERSON
Laila and Luca
Second grade students Laila Vinson, left, and Luca Carpino look at the rain garden Wednesday at Goodland Montessori School, 4800 Graceland Blvd. The rain garden is located in a low area of the school’s backyard where rainwater gathers. The garden filters the water, resulting in fewer nutrients washing into the Root River Watershed.
RYAN PATTERSON
Luca Carpino
Second grade student Luca Carpino looks at plants in the rain garden Wednesday at Goodland Montessori School, 4800 Graceland Blvd. Carpino said he once counted 57 insects in the garden over the course of two hours.
RYAN PATTERSON
Marianne Giannis
Teacher Marianne Giannis looks at a plant in the rain garden Wednesday at Goodland Montessori School, 4800 Graceland Blvd. The garden's multitude of plants attract birds, insects and small animals like rabbits and squirrels, and the garden can provide real-life examples for science classes
RYAN PATTERSON
Riley and Paige
Sixth grade students Paige Reff, right, and Riley Kastler spent time in the rain garden Wednesday at Goodland Montessori School, 4800 Graceland Blvd. They saw weeds growing and pulled them out. Principal Linda Johnson says students have been "very respectful" of the garden.Â
RYAN PATTERSON
Flowers
Flowers provide a vibrant color Wednesday in the rain garden at Goodland Montessori School, 4800 Graceland Blvd. The multitude of plants in the garden attract birds, insects and small animals.
RYAN PATTERSON
Garden bridge
A small white bridge is in the middle of the rain garden for students to walk on at Goodland Montessori School, 4800 Graceland Blvd.
RYAN PATTERSON
Rain garden
The rain garden at Goodland Montessori School, 4800 Graceland Blvd., was installed in May 2023.
