The Meadow at Davis Elementary
$44,714.86 donated
$45,000.00 goal
Campaign ends on April 24, 2024 Campaign ended on April 24, 2024
Above images were used for design inspiration purposes only and should not be construed as actual photos of the completed project.
 

Together We Swim, Together We Bloom

Davis Elementary School has been selected by local landscape company Native Son Gardens as the recipient of its Plant Community Pilot Project, a newly established nonprofit whose mission is to increase equitable access to nature by transforming unused spaces within Austin ISD into safe areas of play for kids to learn and explore. Valued at over $270,000, this revitalization project will reimagine the school’s front yard into a space that is welcoming to visitors and serves as a nature-based educational setting for students and staff.

Through this partnership, Native Son Gardens has pledged to invest $6 for every $1 that is raised, turning an ambitious idea into an attainable goal. In response to their matching support, we have launched The Meadow Capital Campaign with a fundraising target of $45,000 to fully fund the project.

The proposed landscape design will create a usable environment with six complementary areas that promote exploration and education through nature.

  • The Prairie will spark kids’ imaginations with lush and rolling grasses that evoke the original landscape of Texas.
  • The Orchard will grow fruit for our students to harvest with 22 peach, fig, apple, and loquat trees.
  • The Butterfly Garden will flower with perennials providing a food source for butterflies, birds, and bees.
  • The Farm will house a veggie bed for each grade level and a chicken coop for outdoor agriculture lessons.
  • The Woodland will create opportunities for bird watching with the canopies of more than 50 native trees.
  • The Rain Garden will absorb rainfall with the deep roots of its 130 native shrubs and perennials.
This sustainable ecosystem of local flora and fauna is designed to be low maintenance and drought resistant as well as alleviate drainage issues and prevent current classroom flooding. These thoughtfully planned features will conserve school resources and allow future students to benefit from this outdoor learning environment for years to come.
 
WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY?

Outdoor and nature-based learning have a variety of benefits for students, including improved academic performance, increased engagement, and enhanced social-emotional learning skills. Studies also show that kids who learn and play outside are happier, more confident, and less anxious.

  • Natural environments enhance creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. (Natural Learning)
  • Children are not only more engaged in learning during outdoor classes but also upon returning to their classroom, even if the subject they return to is not nature related. (Frontiers in Psychology)
  • Children are less stressed when immersed in green spaces and having class in a natural setting even one day a week can significantly decrease the daily cortisol levels of students. (Green Schoolyards | Stress in School)
  • Children with a strong connection to nature have higher SEL skills such as self-awareness, self-management, and relationship development. (Children & Nature Network | Texas Children in Nature Network)
 
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THIS PROJECT?

Through generous donors and engaged community members, we can bring about big change.

  • Make a donation by clicking on the GIVE NOW button above. Every dollar matters!
  • Send this link to your company and ask them to match your donation.
  • Sponsor The Meadow Capital Campaign at one of five levels below.
  • Post a link to our campaign on your social media accounts to help us get the word out.
 

 

The Meadow Capital Campaign
Sponsorship Levels
 
Brick Sponsor | $150  Unlimited
Commemorative clay brick engraved with a unique message will be sunk in the decomposed granite paths. Bricks are 8" x 4" and allow 84 characters.
Tree Sponsor | $500  22 Available
Fruit trees in the Orchard will produce peaches, figs, apples, and loquats.
Bench Sponsor | $1,000  4 Available
Large limestone boulders along the decomposed granite paths will offer visitors a place to sit. 
Habitat Sponsor | $2,500  5 Available
The Meadow will be home to five native plant habitats.
Prairie + Butterfly Garden + Orchard + Rain Garden + Woodland
Farm Sponsor | $5,000  1 Available
Hands-on agriculture learning will take place at the Farm, enclosed by a box wire fence allowing chickens to roam and vegetable gardens to thrive. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

The Meadow Capital Campaign
Sponsorship Benefits
Brick
Sponsor
$150
Tree
Sponsor
$500
Bench
Sponsor
$1,000
Habitat
Sponsor
$2,500
Farm
Sponsor
$5,000
  Recognition on Digital Donor Wall Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
  Hyperlinked Logo Featured on School Website + Weekly e-Newsletter --- Yes Yes Yes Yes
  Recognition on Permanent Plaque Affixed to Item or Placed in Corresponding Area  --- --- Yes Yes Yes
  Social Media Shout Out on Facebook + Instagram --- --- Yes Yes Yes
  Opportunity to Publish Short Feature Article in Community-Wide Email --- --- --- Yes Yes
  Opportunity to Distribute Branded Merchandise to Students + Staff --- --- --- --- Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN WILL THIS PROJECT BEGIN?

A group of dedicated Davis parents has been hard at work over the summer, collaborating with Native Son Gardens to manage the beginning phases of the project and contributing additional labor alongside the crew. In preparation for the fall planting season, the first of three phases has already been completed.

  • Deconstructed Interior Fencing
  • Removed Invasive Trees + Poison Ivy
  • Scalped Invasive Weeds
  • Broke Up Compacted Soil by Kindergarten Classrooms + Prepped Drainage Area for Rain Garden
  • Laid 70 Yards of Decomposed Granite Paths + Play Areas
  • Spread 150 Yards of Sandy Loam + Sand + Limestone Gravel Mixture for Seeding
  • Relocated 4 One-Ton Boulders
  • Relocated 6,000 lbs. of Limestone Rocks
  • Installed Stump Circle

The second phase is planned for the Fall and includes all project work except for the fence around the farm, veggie beds, and commemorative bricks. The fence and veggie beds will be built upon funding and brick installation will take place in the new year, most likely February depending on the manufacturing timeline.

  • Relocate Shipping Container
  • Remove Obsolete Solar Panels
  • Seed Prairie + Butterfly Garden
  • Plant Fruit + Shade + Ornamental Trees
  • Plant Shrubs + Perennials
  • Install Natural Play Elements
  • Paint Schoolyard Games on Concrete Play Area
  • Build Fence Around the Farm
  • Build Veggie Beds
  • Install Commemorative Bricks

​Many features of The Meadow’s natural design allow it to be self-sustaining with little effort. Seeded with native grasses and flowers that grow deep roots, the Prairie and Butterfly Garden will be tough enough to survive droughts; some species may go dormant during dry summers but will green back up in fall. The densely seeded perennials and grasses in these areas will also eventually shade out weed growth. The Woodland will be planted with native sapling trees in late fall. When small and while dormant, they work on growing their roots and by spring will be established. Due to this strategic timeline, no water is required. The Orchard is the only area that will have irrigation until the trees are established. A low watering, timed irrigation system will be used for the first year and during especially tough summers.

The final phase focuses on getting The Meadow established in the first year so that minimal maintenance will be required long term. 

  • Set Up Drip Irrigation for the Orchard + Run Until Trees are Established
  • Cut Back Prairie + Butterfly Garden Five (5) Times in First Year to Allow Grasses to Germinate Before Spring Wildflowers Shade Them Out
  • Weed Prairie + Butterfly Garden Throughout First Year to Allow Seeds to Sprout

The Grounds Beautification Committee will coordinate ongoing maintenance to ensure The Meadow's success. 

  • Cut Back Prairie + Butterfly Garden Each Spring to Promote Regeneration During Growing Season 
  • Mow + Weed Decomposed Granite Paths Annually to Keep Overgrowth at Bay
 
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROJECT?
Reach out to grounds@davisdolphins.org.
 
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No. of Campaigns (4)
Donors
Gwendolyn (on behalf of Josie Mesa : Dolphin Pride, 2020 – 2026 : Class of 2033 )
Jeff McCarty (on behalf of THE MCCARTY FAMILY; EMMY ’28, WILLA ’26; BONNIE & JEFF ’94 )
Alana M (on behalf of N/A )
Alana Parker (on behalf of Linnea + Julian ; Krueger )
Tiffany Mendenhall (on behalf of The Mendenhalls; Davis Proud; Parker & Caroline ‘24; Audrey ‘28 Hattie ‘29 )

We can’t wait to see the garden come to life! We love Davis!

Margaret Harris (on behalf of Hazel Mae Smith )
Jennifer Burnette (on behalf of Karis Burnette; Dolphin Pride; 2019 - 2025; Class of 2032 )
Rose Barrera (on behalf of The Barrera Family : Thank you Davis : We are Dolphins Forever! )
Wesley (on behalf of Elia and Cole Lichtenstein; May you find joy and peace in everything you do; Love, Mom & Dad )

Such a lovely way to show how much we love this school

Mauricio English (on behalf of English Family )

English Family

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