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Native Plant Explorers

Activity

What’s Growing on Campus?

Palmer Elementary is surrounded by a variety of beautiful and unique native plants. As you explore the area around the school, see how many you can identify.

Science Seed

Geraldine Palmer Elementary is surrounded by a rich variety of native plants, reflecting the vibrant ecosystem of the Rio Grande Valley. On the school grounds, you can find colorful plants like Texas lantana, verbena, and Mexican petunia, which attract pollinators such as Gulf fritillary butterflies and hummingbirds. You can also find beautiful, unique trees like the Texas ebony tree, Montezuma bald cypress, anacua (sandpaper tree) and mesquite. In the surrounding area you might find hardy plants like the prickly pear cactus and yucca thriving, helping to stabilize the soil and conserve water. These native plants not only enhance the beauty of the campus but also support the diverse wildlife of the region.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Geraldine Palmer Elementary

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by HEB.