Elementary school builds ‘living lab’ butterfly garden

Students at Lake Hills Elementary School now have a living lab where they can watch butterflies and hummingbirds be drawn to their natural food sources. With the help of a $300 grant from the North Bank Communities Fund, fifth-grade teacher Jean Baker planted a butterfly and hummingbird garden Monday near the elementary school's front entrance. Baker also had a hand from students, other teachers and members of her gardening club.

Jordan Travis

May 24, 2011

An advanced master gardener through the Michigan State University Extension program, Baker said she put a lot of research into choosing the right plants. With most of the planting finished, she and others will put down mulch today, she said.

Plants in the garden include dogwood trees, which Baker said is appropriate since the school is on Dogwood Drive. There are also perennial flowers and herbs to attract swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

To read more of this story, see today’s print edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.