Planting Seeds of Awareness

By Melissa Brooks, SAA-SDS Librarian

To celebrate Earth Day in a meaningful and memorable way, I had the pleasure of partnering with the 6th grade class at St. Agnes and the talented team from Lynn Doyle Flowers for a hands-on floral experience that beautifully combined environmental education with creativity.

The event took place in our school’s Innovation Center, where students had the opportunity to explore the beauty and diversity of the plant world up close. With the support of Lane Wheeler Doyle (SAA Class of 1977, and grandmother of Margaret Motte, SAA 6 and Sutter Motte, SDS 2) and Rebecca Lovett of Lynn Doyle Flowers, we created a unique lesson that emphasized the importance of plant conservation and the richness of flora from around the globe.

We began with an engaging conversation about rare and fascinating flowers from different parts of the world. The students were captivated by the Shampoo Ginger plant grown in Australia and Asia, Tulips from Holland, the delicate Garden Rose of Mexico, and the vibrant Pincushion Protea native to California. My hope was to spark curiosity and help them see that Earth Day is not only about awareness, but also about taking meaningful action.

Following our discussion, students were treated to a live floral arranging demonstration by Lane and Rebecca. They generously shared their expertise on everything from color coordination to flower care and design techniques. It was a joy to see the students light up as they created their own bud vase arrangements using fresh, seasonal blooms.

To conclude the lesson, each student selected a packet of flower seeds to take home and plant in honor of Earth Day. Whether it was sunflowers, zinnias, or wildflowers, each choice represented the idea that even the smallest acts of care can lead to lasting beauty and growth.

This Earth Day celebration was a truly enriching experience. It deepened our students’ appreciation for nature and encouraged them to think about their role in caring for our planet—one flower at a time.