Many Hands:

Student Volunteers Help the Garden Grow

A warm May afternoon provided the perfect backdrop for a group of student volunteers to spend time in Jug Handle Creek Nature Center's Native Plant Nursery. Under the guidance of our nature educators, Fern, Sue, and Heather, the students rolled up their sleeves and got to work supporting the ongoing efforts to grow native plants for restoration projects.

One of the day's biggest tasks was mixing soil for future plantings. Working together, the students blended and moved pounds of nutrient-rich soil, creating the foundation that will help so many young plants thrive. Their energy and teamwork turned what could have been a daunting job into a fun and productive afternoon.

Of course, no day in the nursery would be complete without encountering some of the local wildlife. As students worked through pots and planting materials, they discovered many, many slugs hiding in cool, damp corners. Rather than seeing them as pests, the students carefully and happily relocated their slimy companions to more suitable habitats nearby.

We are grateful for the hard work, curiosity, and positive attitudes these students brought to the nursery. Together, they contributed to the larger mission of restoring native habitats and connecting people with the natural world. We look forward to welcoming more volunteers into the nursery as we continue growing plants—and stewards of the environment—for years to come.