SCHOOLYARD HUMMINGBIRD HABITATS
- Proposal & Project Timeline -

In 2001-2002, a grant from The Foundation for the Carolinas Impact Fund (Animal Issues Interest Team) was used by Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History to establish Schoolyard Hummingbird Habitats at seven K-12 schools in York County SC, and Mecklenburg County NC. In late December 2001, invitations to participate were sent to all (approximately 250) public and private schools in those counties. Schools had until 5 p.m. on Friday, 1 February 2002 to prepare and submit applications for the Schoolyard Hummingbird Habitat competition; all acceptable applications were received at the Center by that time.

When responses were received from potential participants, the Center's Advisory Council selected the seven finalist schools. Special consideration was given to innercity and rural schools with limited resources and/or with historically underserved populations. Parent volunteer groups played a role in garden installation at all schools that received grants.

In a preliminary visit to each winning school (mid-February 2002), Center staff provided students with basic information about hummingbirds. On subsequent visits (late February-early March), students and teachers helped design their respective Schoolyard Hummingbird Habitats, selected and installed plants and hardscape (mid-March), maintained the habitats (March and thereafter), and--as hummingbirds were attracted to the new habitats--made scientific observations of hummingbirds (April and thereafter).

Each school received $400 to underwrite purchase of native hummingbird plants (trees, shrubs, and herbaceous flora), soil amendments, and hardscape components (e.g., wooden fence rails, trellises, and/or natural habitat enhancements selected by the students). Each school also received an instructional visit from Center staff, during which--when hummingbirds are present--students helped the staff capture, band, and release hummingbirds in the Schoolyard Hummingbird Habitat.

• Winners of the 2002 Schoolyard Hummingbird Habitat Competition

Back to Introduction to Schoolyard Hummingbird Habitats

Back to Miscellany

Up to Top of Page