Georgia Galle, from left, Kyla Barron and Vivian Dourado inspected a beehive. Photos by Andrea von Hohenleiten
The Conanicut Island Land Trust, which owns Godena Farm on North Main Road, continued its tradition of inviting fourth-graders to plant trees, build birdhouses and sow wildflowers. The field trip Monday was attended by 37 Melrose School students with teachers Phil Capaldi and Maryjane Moynihan. Students have helped plant nearly 100 trees in the four years of these annual trips. “What were 8-foot trees are now 12 feet,” Capaldi said. “The kids directly see and experience the contribution they are making.”
Quentin Anthony, president of the land trust, credited the volunteers who helped manage and direct the youthful energy. “I tell the kids each year that there will be a test before they can leave the farm,” he said. “If they don’t have dirt under their nails, they have flunked the test.”
Calla Petkus listens to instructions on how to build a bluebird nesting box from Godena Farm volunteer Ed Brazil.
Fourth-graders dig a hole so they can plant a tree.
Godena Farm beekeeper Jim Turenne teaches Mayeul Raoul, from left, Elle Emory and Emma Sorrell about apiculture.
Graham Radobicky, left, and Sam Brown, 4, helper transport buckets of water and soil.