PHM Education Foundation Awards Grant to Revitalize Prairie Vista’s Natural Prairie

Prairie Vista Elementary is set to bring nature-based learning to life, thanks to a $10,250.00 grant awarded by the PHM Education Foundation (PHMEF). Jennifer Turnblom, Executive Director of PHMEF, visited the school to present the check to Principal Keely Twibell.

The grant will support a project to restore and utilize the natural prairie area on the school’s property, creating unique learning opportunities for Prairie Vista students and the broader PHM community. In collaboration with community volunteers, the PTO, and school staff, the revitalized prairie will serve as a dynamic outdoor classroom. Teachers will have a space to conduct lessons in a natural environment, engaging students directly with the world around them.

The restoration plan includes the addition of wildlife identification and trail marker signs, observation station stumps, a natural obstacle course, raised garden beds, bird and bat houses, and more. Tools like microscopes, binoculars, magnifying glasses, and field guides will further enhance hands-on learning experiences. The prairie will also host conservation activities such as seasonal clean-up, maintenance, and seeding initiatives.

This project aims to inspire conservation efforts among students and community members while offering an innovative space for research and advanced study. Once complete, the prairie will be a resource for all PHM schools, providing an opportunity for collaborative learning across the district.

Congratulations to Prairie Vista Elementary and Principal Keely Twibell for this exciting initiative, and thank you to PHMEF for supporting the school’s vision for immersive, nature-based education!