November 1st

By Mutt Mulligan

TurfMutt grant funds outdoor classroom in Florida

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from TurfMutt, the students at Guardian Angels Catholic School in Clearwater, Fla., have a new outdoor classroom. A dedication ceremony will take place at the school on November 9.

Created with Orlando’s Massey Services, the outdoor classroom will help Sandra Hoolihan’s students learn hands-on lessons about science, math, the environment and living landscapes. Student Marissa Weber of Palm Harbor, Fla. won the annual TurfMutt “Be a Backyard Superhero” contest earlier this year. The outdoor classroom is a result of her hard work.

Marissa’s winning entry, one of over 1,000 entries received this year, was a story depicting TurfMutt and the Outdoor Powers. She added her own original character “Earthy the Worm” to fight Dust Demon, a TurfMutt-branded evil character, and encourage healthy soil.

Because of Marissa’s win, her teacher Sandra Hoolihan was presented with the first-ever National TurfMutt Teacher Award. The award earned Ms. Hoolihan a trip to the National Science Teachers Association annual convention in spring 2017.

Massey Services installed the outdoor classroom and added significant value to enhance the school’s yard. The Massey team created a courtyard and learning garden renovation that was designed to be safe, water efficient, have minimal pest impact, and encourage the learning process. Additionally, the new design and the material used will significantly reduce the issues that were present when the project started, including: flying, biting and stinging insects, harborage areas for pests, and forage paths for rodents.