The Riverside Garden Club continued with its annual tradition of exposing fifth grade students to a fun and educational day exploring the natural world at Binney Park.
Dabney Bowen, Executive Director of Call of the Wild with a baby raccoon.
Discussion around turtles and reptiles.
Demonstration of bees, hives and honeycombs.
Eighty Five students from North Mianus School were given the opportunity to explore the park and learn from various experts in their fields. Dr. Greg Kramer, Greenwich’s Tree Warden, led a hike up Daffodil Hill for students to learn about native trees and other flora. Paula Wolf, CT’s State Apiary Inspector, conducted a session on bees, hives and honeycombs which included a live hive teeming with busy bees.
The children then participated in a discussion about turtles and reptiles led by Dabney Bowen, Executive Director of Call of the Wild, an animal rehabilitation organization. In addition, the kids were thrilled to see a baby racoon which this organization is caring for.
However, the highlight of the day was a scavenger hunt around Binney Pond led by Riverside Garden Club volunteers. Students used a sheet of 20 photos to identify different plants, shrubs and animals; learning which species are native and thrive in wetland environments.
This origins of this program stem from the COVID pandemic when Riverside School fifth graders were unable to attend their annual trip to Washington, DC. Patty Roberts, a former Riverside Garden Club member, developed this meaningful alternative program and included the North Mianus School students as well. Although Riverside School has not participated since the reinstatement of the Washington, DC trip, the program continues to be a very successful one for North Mianus fifth graders.
Riverside Garden Club concluded its 106th year with a luncheon at Riverside Yacht Club where members were awarded for their hard work in supporting the club’s endeavors: Eileen August- Goodchild Award for Design, Elaine Hjelte-Bombeck Award for Horticulture and Helen Lovett Civic Award, Terry Lubman- Horticulture Outside Flower Shows, Laura Petit-Arrangements and Pagenstecher-Dolph Award and Toby Gordon-Fran Tarbox Award.
If you would like more information about the Riverside Garden Club and our many programs, please go to riversidectgardenclub.org or email us at [email protected].