Application Request/Project Summary:

Hilburn Academy

Project: The Hilburn Pollinator Learning Corridor - Bees, Butterflies & Beyond

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Narrative / Scope of Work

A K–8 Outdoor Classroom Dedicated to Native Pollinators and Sustainable Habitats

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The Hilburn Pollinator Learning Corridor: Bees, Butterflies & Beyond will transform an underused grassy area (near 4th and 5th grade trailers) into a vibrant, sustainable outdoor learning environment. The space will include a Native Plant Pollinator Corridor, a Butterfly Life Cycle Garden, a Bee Habitat Zone, a Pollinator Observation Deck, and Student-Made Educational Signage.

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This will be a living laboratory where students in grades K–8 can engage in hands-on investigations of pollination, migration, ecosystems, data collection, and environmental stewardship. The project directly supports year-round learning in literacy, math, art, and especially science, including life cycles, weather, ecosystems, sustainability, and interdependence of living organisms.

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Key Components

Hilburn Pollinator Learning Corridor:

• Native Plant Pollinator Corridor with milkweed, coneflower, mountain mint, asters, bee balm, black-eyed Susans, goldenrod, and annual nectar plants.

• Butterfly Life Cycle Garden featuring host plants (milkweed, dill, fennel, parsley) and nectar flowers with a “Life Cycle Viewing Zone.”

• Bee Habitat Zone including mason bee hotels, hollow stems, logs with drilled holes, sandy soil patches, and water sources for native bees.

• Pollinator Observation Deck with seating for sketching, data collection, and scientific investigations.

• Student-Made Signage such as “Meet the Monarch,” “Why Bees Matter,” “Host vs. Nectar Plants,” and

  “Life Cycle of a Bee.”

• Optional Sustainability Add-Ons such as a rain barrel, compost tumbler, wildflower seeding area, or leaf-litter overwintering zone.

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Purpose & Expected Impact Purpose of the Project:

The Pollinator Learning Corridor is designed to:

• Support native pollinators—including bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

• Serve as a K–8 outdoor classroom that integrates science, literacy, math, art, and environmental stewardship.

• Provide hands-on learning opportunities year-round.

• Inspire students to take ownership of sustainability initiatives.

• Create a beautiful, functional, and ecologically rich outdoor space for the entire school community.

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Key Learnings for Students:​

• Connected to the aligned NC K–8 science standards:

• Life cycles of butterflies, bees, and plants.

• Interdependence between organisms and their environment.

• The role of pollinators in ecosystems and food webs.

• Human impact on the environment and sustainable solutions.

• Weather and climate effects on living organisms.

• Data collection, graphical representation, and scientific reasoning.

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Impact on Students and the School:​

• Hands-on STEM Learning: Students become active investigators—collecting data, observing patterns, and engaging in inquiry-based learning.

• Cross-Curricular Integration: Writing, art, math graphing, and digital literacy (QR-coded signage) enrich the learning experience.

• Student Stewardship: Student teams (Bee Team, Butterfly Team, Water Warriors) cultivate responsibility and leadership.

• Environmental Awareness: Students learn about conservation and the global importance of pollinators.

• Community Engagement: Creates opportunities for partnerships with NC State Entomology, Raleigh Parks, local garden clubs, and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

• Campus Beautification: The school gains a long-lasting, sustainable, visually inviting outdoor space.

Project Site Photos

KNCB Visit / Pre-project

Project Site Area

Project Development Photos