Buckingham Middle School Getting Greener with Grant

Buckingham Middle School has been awarded a $750 grant in the Beautification and Community Greening Category.  The Keep Virginia Beautiful “30 in 30” grant program focuses greater resources and attention on organizations and individual
localities throughout the Commonwealth and how they are addressing the issues of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification and education.

The students at Buckingham Middle School want to expand their very successful garden project from spring 2011 to include fruit bearing trees, additional raised beds and a small greenhouse.  This hands-on opportunity enforces the SOL curriculum of photosynthesis, water cycle, producers/consumers/decomposers and food production through real life skills.  In addition, gardening students will work collaboratively with special needs students and take personal and school pride in a job well done.  There are many community partners involved in this much anticipated garden addition and the students, staff and parents can’t wait to get their hands dirty.  By involving students in hands-on projects, not only will Buckingham MS be greened up but the skills taught can be carried over to their home lives and even into adulthood.

We provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of thirty grants through April and May, ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories: Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling. These grants are made possible by our generous partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through 5 impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.