Educators: Bring the Biodiversity of Southern Appalachia to Your School

Middle school teachers in Thrive’s tri-state footprint of southeast Tennessee, northwest Georgia, and northeast Alabama are invited to apply for an innovative program that brings local, native plant gardens and biodiversity education directly into the classroom! 

‍

Based on the Thriving Gardens regional plant guide, Thrive’s partner, Homegrown National Park™ (HNP), is launching a new hands-on learning opportunity to connect students to nature in their own backyard. This program, materials, and training will be provided at no cost.

‍

Selected schools will receive:

• A fully developed, NGSS-aligned ecosystem unit – engaging students in biodiversity, ecology, and habitat restoration.
• Classroom resources and interactive tools – including organism cards to help students explore food webs and ecosystem connections.
• A simple-to-install Roll-Out Native Plant Garden – professionally designed by Ecoplantia, making it easy for teachers and students to set up and maintain.

Why participate?

This is a unique opportunity to create a lasting impact in your school community while giving students a meaningful connection to their local environment. Students will learn how to restore habitats, track biodiversity, and contribute to a national movement for ecological regeneration!

‍

Spots are limited, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

‍

More Information