Ask any typical third-graders if they wan to spend the school day playing in the dirt and odds are you'll get a unified high pitched “yes” from them all. West William’s third grade class at Rainbow Mountain School had that opportunity a few months ago when the kids (with a little help from the adults) got to install a moss garden on their campus.

The project came about when Dulcita Love, whose son is in West’s class, met Annie Martin (aka, “Mossin’ Annie”). “We started talking and came up with the idea of installing a moss garden at the school,” says Annie.

Dulcita was excited and set to work raising funds for the project. “The response was incredible,” she says. “Within 12 days of opening up the donations, we were able to triple the size of the garden we had originally planned.”

Before digging in the dirt could begin, students had to prepare the land. Armed with shovels and rakes, they cleared old mulch and weeds from the plot. With guidance from adults, they even drew up the design plans. In the classroom, they listened with rapt attention as they were taught about the different types of moss, the importance of proper land stewardship, and the environmental benefits of moss.

“The kids were in total awe of Annie (especially her theatrics and enthusiasm) and the many varieties of moss that she brought,” says West. “Annie’s energy and knowledge was contagious and the kids jumped right on board with her.”

Children were divided into teams for the planting phase— there was the rock team, the fern team, the wildflower team, and the log team. The children were paired up and given a six-foot section to plant. “They were so proud,” Dulcita says.

Annie often conducts educational workshops in schools but this is the first onsite installation. “Most school projects are small, in pots that they can take home. This is something that the whole school will benefit from. The whole experience was unbelievable. I was so impressed with how focused they were. The energy and synergy of these kids were remarkable.”

The garden was competed in a few hours and, when the last piece had been placed, the children were eager for approval. “I think they were the most amazed to step back and look at the finished product. It was so artistic ... a true magical land,” West says.

Although the installation is complete, the benefits are just beginning. The school plans on integrating the garden into the regular lessons as a living classroom and the board recently approved a grant to fund a sprinkler system. At the recent graduation ceremony, one third grader expressed how she felt, “The one memory I will hold in my heart forever is the moss garden.”

“The garden has already brought joy to other grades ... it is a land where imagination can come alive through stories, free play, and creative writing,” says West.