Cultivating Curiosity: GreenSchool’s Journey in Urban Conservation

Posted in Garden News on August 8, 2024, by Tai Montanarella & Charlotte Smith

Tai Montanarella is the Marian S. Heiskell Associate Director of School and Out-of-School Programs, and Charlotte Smith is the Assistant Educator for Schools and Out-of-School Programs at the New York Botanical Garden.


GreenSchool started as a special place for young people to learn about plants at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. For almost 50 years, children from the Bronx and beyond have visited to discover incredible biodiversity and develop a love for protecting nature. This spring, for the first time, GreenSchool took its program from the Conservatory into the community through the Cultural After School Adventures (CASA) Program, an initiative of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. We aimed to spark curiosity about the plants growing in our students’ own neighborhoods and to empower them with tools for conservation that prepare them to tackle real-world environmental challenges, including climate change.

With these goals, we created the out-of-school Curious Nature Club with Bronx Charter School for Excellence 1 and M.S. 45 X Thomas Giordano Middle School, funded respectively by City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias (District 18) and Council Member Oswald Feliz (District 15). Over three months, GreenSchool educators worked with school staff to offer 20 hours of NYBG mission-aligned workshops, supporting actions that contribute to resilient and livable cities.

Where did we begin? As always, by observing. We started with outdoor nature walks around the school neighborhoods.

After using the iNaturalist mobile app to document the remarkable plant species that enhance urban living around city blocks, we got to work. Naturally, we planted.

As weeks passed, students from both schools maintained pollinator beds and landscape plantings, applying ecological principles in an urban setting and understanding the importance of environmental stewardship. More importantly, they connected with native plants and experienced the well-being from nature in their city. It was only a matter of time before they wanted to visit NYBG to learn more. And we did.

Ultimately, GreenSchool didn’t need to work hard to inspire curiosity. Participants, already eager learners, came after long school days ready to engage with nature, support NYBG’s environmental efforts, and connect with one another to make a meaningful difference in their communities, both for today and the future.

Here’s what we heard from students:

Curious Nature Club helps us learn about the environment and ways to help the Earth last longer. My favorite memory is planting flowers with my peers.” —Mahreen, 6th Grade

“I would recommend this club because I like plants and viewing the Conservatory. You can have fun and learn new stuff.” —Josiah, 8th Grade

“I would totally recommend Curious Nature Club because it is so relaxing and fun! The entire club teamed up and overcame challenges when gardening the plants outside, which was so fun!” —Pragya, 5th Grade

Curious Nature Club made me want to learn more about plants. My favorite memory is planting plants in the tree pit, because we could spread the beauty of plants around.” —Samina, 6th Grade

The 2024 CASA partnership was facilitated by School and Out of School Program Coordinators, Jada Henry and Charlotte Smith, with assistance from Celine Brad. Special thanks to our partners at Bronx Charter School for Excellence I, and M.S. 45 Thomas Giordano Middle School.

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