East Panhandle Times

Martinsburg High School's Ecology Club enlisted the assistance of the City of Martinsburg Stormwater Management team to educate its members on rain barrel installation. This initiative is intended to benefit the school's pollinator garden, an undertaking supported by a $300 grant from the Monarch Alliance.

Biology teacher Melissa Gantt, who advises the Ecology Club, credited parent volunteer Savannah Hannon for organizing the event. Hannon collaborates with the city to create green spaces in Martinsburg, offering opportunities for community engagement with nature.

Hannon reached out to the stormwater management team to provide expertise in installing a rain barrel, which will supply water to the garden. The club, utilizing the Monarch Alliance grant, intends to plant 98 native plants to aid local pollinators disrupted by ongoing development.

“Bees are important for everything,” Gantt explained. “Creating green spaces in the community will help them thrive.”

Thomas Joy and Nick Cole, holding the positions of president and vice president of the Ecology Club, expressed enthusiasm about the project's potential. Cole remarked on the simplicity of the installation process and emphasized the importance of student involvement in environmental improvement.

“The main thing for us is to be able to improve the school and the outdoor environment,” Cole said. “It’s a chance to beautify the school and do our part to help the environment by planting the garden and use rainwater.”

Joy appreciated the passion of the stormwater management team and sees his participation as a contribution to maintaining the natural beauty of Berkeley County. “I enjoy helping the Martinsburg community learn about ecology and raise awareness,” Joy noted. “We want to help people understand the consequences of their actions and how they can help protect the environment.”

The club aims to complete the garden by May 20, providing a final project to mark the departure of graduating seniors.