We have an official habitat name!

Here’s a brief synopsis of the high points of our meeting today. The big news is that we chose an official name for our new habitat. Welcome to… (drum roll please)

The Caraway OWL (Outdoor Wildlife Lab)

Our mascot will be proud.

Also, our design has been officially approved by RRISD, so yay! We have a sign out now to show parents and kids where the new garden will be.

Hardscape is scheduled for March 9. And of course, Dig Day is March 27. Dedication Day is Earth Day! 

Fundraising is officially commencing. Donations can be as cash or checks (payable to Caraway PTA), and all donations should be in an envelope. They can be dropped off to a teacher or at the front office. Please spread the word and recruit donations! As kids and families and community members donate any amount, small or big, we’ll add a leaf with their name on it to our Giving Tree, soon to be hung up in school. Flyers with envelopes will sent home in March.

The 3rd and 4th graders have started their Legacy of Giving environnent project, 3-D murals all about wildlife habitats. These will be going out to the community to teach others about the importance of native plants and habitats. These projects will lead right into our building of our new garden at Caraway, perfect timing.

We are applying for various grants to help us with our Phase 2 projects. Cross your fingers! And Ms. Conti has a great idea for an art fundraiser for the habitat in the fall.

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Next Team Meeting February 17

Our next team meeting will be February 17 at 3:05 p.m. in the Caraway library. We hope you can be there!

Something to be thinking about is what we’d like the garden to be named. It could be something simple, such as the Caraway Garden or the Caraway Wildlife Habitat or the Caraway Habitat Garden. But we could call it our Outdoor Learning Center or our Living Habitat or something along those lines. Joslyn Elementary in Austin ISD is building one they are calling their Living Lab. Bring some ideas with you! As we approach the community about our garden, it would be nice to have an official name for it so we’re all referring to it the same way.

In the meantime, keep talking about the new habitat to your kids and students. Talk about nature and wildlife whenever the opportunity presents itself. Let’s build up the excitement and spread the word! Fundraising is around the corner!

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