“The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.” — Michael Pollan
Author and environmental thought leader Michael Pollan (Author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Second Nature) reminds us that a garden is more than a collection of plants—it is a place where people and nature work together. This idea perfectly reflects the mission of the Wild Ones Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education (SFE) Program, which funds native plant gardens that connect youth to nature through hands-on learning.
Through SFE grants, schools and youth organizations create outdoor spaces where young people can plant native species that support pollinators and local ecosystems and learn through experience by observing native plants and wildlife up close.
Wild Ones is pleased to announce that its 2025 Seeds for Education Grant program has awarded nearly $10,000 to 20 organizations across 14 states. Congratulations to the following organizations that will complete garden projects this year:
- Broward County Public Schools (Florida)
- Boys & Girls Club of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma (Oklahoma)
- Copper Hill School (New Jersey)
- East Hampton Public Library (Connecticut)
- Elm Fork Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists (Texas)
- Ernest Stapleton Elementary Student Council (New Mexico)
- Girls Athletic Leadership Schools Los Angeles (California)
- Jordan Community Elementary School and Network49 Environmental Justice Committee (Illinois)
- Honeygo Elementary School (Maryland)
- Knox County Purdue Extension Guardians of the Garden Master Gardeners (Indiana)
- Longan Elementary School (Virginia)
- Mitchell Intermediate School (Texas)
- Monte Vista PTA (California)
- Navarre Middle School (Indiana)
- Pickaway Ross (Ohio)
- Reed Elementary PTA (Texas)
- Riverbend Environmental Education Center (Pennsylvania)
- Sandy Point Neighborhood Association (Connecticut)
- The Bay School (Maine)
- Wynn Center (Ohio)
The Wild Ones Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education (SFE) Program honors Wild Ones’ founding inspiration, Lorrie Otto, who inspired school garden projects in the 1970s in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. This donor-funded program has provided $100 to $500 grants for nearly 30 years.
SFE grants are awarded based on youth engagement, educational value, native plant focus, and community impact. Projects must involve active youth participation, create STEM learning opportunities, use native plants suited to their ecoregion, and enrich their school and community through meaningful green spaces.
At Honeygo Elementary School in Maryland, school counselors Emily Rickelton and Suzanne Garci are leading a transformative effort to bring an abandoned rooftop garden back to life. Dormant since 2020, the space is set to become a vibrant learning hub where students can connect with nature, reduce anxiety, and cultivate a sense of stewardship. “I hope to create an opportunity for each student to form a relationship with the garden as they move through their elementary years,” says Rickelton.
The project’s centerpiece is a school-wide winter sowing initiative, designed to engage every student in planting native seeds. Through the school’s buddy class program, older and younger students will work side-by-side, planting and maintaining dedicated garden sections together. Leading the charge in garden preparation and weeding will be the Honeygo Gives Back Club, offering older students a chance to build leadership skills while caring for their community space.
This project is a community effort. Backed by the PTO, school administration, and the Wild Ones Greater Baltimore Chapter, the project is rooted in long-term sustainability and shared purpose. Through hands-on experiences and collaborative learning, Honeygo Elementary is planting the seeds of knowledge, responsibility, and wonder for generations of students to come.
The SFE program is about more than planting seeds—it’s about planting knowledge, curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation for nature. By supporting youth-centered projects, we help young people meet nature halfway—actively participating in the growth and restoration of native ecosystems.
Wild Ones is grateful to all the applicants who submitted applications to this grant cycle. We would also like to thank the volunteers, board members, and staff for their thoughtful review of all 139 grant applications this year.
The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant is a 100% donor-funded program, so consider donating today to help spread the seeds of change. This year, Wild Ones received nearly $60,000 in total requests. With your donation, we can expand this program to meet the needs of youth-serving organizations across the country. Together we can educate and engage the next generation of native planters.