International Paper, in partnership with Celebrate Planet Earth, provided 631 kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms in Escambia and Santa Rosa county school districts with free butterfly and sunflower kits, enabling local children to experience the wonder of nature.
Schools received their kits March through May and students had the opportunity to witness caterpillars underdo metamorphosis over the course of two to three weeks. When the butterflies emerged, students were able to feed them sugar-water for about a week before experiencing the delight of releasing them into the world. Students learned how to sprout and grow sunflowers from seed to bloom.
The following schools received butterfly and sunflower kits:
Bagdad Elementary School
Bellview Elementary School
Berryhill Elementary School
Beulah Elementary School
Blue Angels Elementary School
Bratt Elementary School
Capstone Academy – Milton
Central School
Creative Learning Academy
East Milton Elementary School
Ensley Elementary School
Episcopal Day School
Gulf Breeze Elementary School
Jim Allen Elementary School
Kingsfield Elementary School
Lincoln Park Elementary School
Lipscomb Elementary School
Longleaf Elementary School
McArthur Elementary School
Molino Park Elementary School
N. B. Cook Elementary School
Oriole Beach Elementary School
Pine Meadow Elementary School
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
S.S. Dixon Primary
W. H. Rhodes Elementary School
West Navarre Primary
“We are committed to improving the communities along the greater gulf coast, and we aim to be responsible stewards of our planet,†said Scott Taylor, Pensacola Mill manager. “We are proud to offer this learning experience to the young students in our surrounding communities and hope it instills in them a respect for our planet.â€
Since 1989, Celebrate Planet Earth has inspired young children to honor the earth and all its creatures through experiences of wonder, learning and care for the natural world. Formerly called Earth’s Birthday Project, the organization has rebranded as they broaden their outreach and expand their educational programs all year long.