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On Site - Pictured (from left) in the MIS Learning Garden are Undrea Lamb, MIS Principal Belinda Akin, David Ridgell, UAM faculty members Wes Fletcher and Jim Edson, Josh Weaver, McKenzie Zieman and fifth-grade teacher Holly Montgomery.

   When Monticello Intermediate School added new classrooms to its existing structure, the new addition took up half of one of the school’s playgrounds. 

   Since the area was no longer big enough for recess, school officials decided to turn the area into a Learning Garden where students could conduct science experiments and study plants, birds and insects. 

   To help turn the former playground into an outdoor classroom, University of Arkansas - Monticello faculty members Jim Edson and Wes Fletcher are assisting MIS with the project. Edson, a professor of geology, has been working with MIS administrators from the beginning of the project. Fletcher, an instructor of land surveying in the School of Forest Resources, recently surveyed the area for school officials. 

   MIS has received three grants to help fund the project – a $4,900 grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and $500 grants from Wal-Mart and Delta Kappa Gamma. 

   According to MIS Principal Belinda Akin, the finished Learning Garden will include water features, a butterfly garden, birdhouses and birdbaths and an outdoor classroom. 

   “The emphasis is going to be on science,” Akin said. “We want to create a place to do science experiments. We are so grateful for the help we’ve received from UAM. Jim Edson has been working with us on this since day one.” 

   MIS is also receiving community support from the Parent Teacher Organization, the MIS Parent Advisory Council and the Master Gardeners. 

   Persons wishing to contribute to the project should contact Akin at 870-367-4030.