Glen Canyon Natural History Association | Native Plants Greenhouse Project: Upcoming Schedule & Activities

Botanical Learning Center

Recent News & Activities

Botanical Learning Center opens up its door for the first young botanists
On September 24, 2003, just 6 short months since the restoration effort of the Botanical Learning Center began, 16 enthusiastic 2nd graders from Desert View Elementary School in Page, Arizona, became the first students to use our Botanical Learning Center as an outdoor classroom. Exploration and activities were led by Glen Canyon’s Education Specialist and two student interns for an hour and forty-five minutes of uninterrupted fun-filled educational enchantment.

To view photos of the fun: click here.

Since none of these children had ever stepped foot in a greenhouse, few of them knew what to expect—the perfect captive audience. When they entered, we heard a collective whisper: “Wow”. There were so many things to look at and touch, they were giddy with excitement. Equipped with their own magnifying glass, they immediately inspected everyone and everything around them. Distracted but patient, they listened to our safety talk and expectations of their visit until a student urged, “Let’s look at plants”. That was our cue to start the activities.

We reviewed parts of the plant and challenged them to identify the parts under large magnifying boxes. Eagerly waiting their turn, they investigated plants with hand lenses to look for nuisance bugs that are devouring our more delectable plant specimens. Using pest management posters they identified those pesky creatures. Looking for “good” bugs, they captured and released shy crickets and perturbed spiders. Screeching by wormaphobics took place at our vermaculture condos as students dug to find the squirming soil makers. Next onto our edible herb section with eyes closed and noses fully dedicated to the plants’ strong fragrances. They touched or sampled some of our most interesting and tastiest veggies. Lastly, they worked on propagating and planting new cuttings for continued study.

The Page High School Botanical Learning Center proved so far to be an exciting and significant outdoor classroom. As each student said good-bye, some gave us parting instructions; “take care of my plant and make her grow tall”. We promised to comply—we love their plants too. Thankfully, this 2nd grade teacher had the wisdom to bring her students to the facility; she will bring them back for more exploration and learning because she too had as much fun as they did.

To view photos of the fun: click here.

The Native Plant Greenhouse Project
A Glen Canyon Natural History Association, National Park Service, &
Page Unified School District Community Project