MTMS MUSTANG MEADOWS BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Former Manchester Township Middle School (MTMS) students and proud Girl Scouts, Mackenzie, Olivia, and Brianna, have completed their Girl Scout Silver Award in a way that will benefit their school community for years to come.

Over the past several months, the girls have transformed an underutilized courtyard at MTMS into a vibrant butterfly garden called Mustang Meadows. Their goal was to create a space that promotes beauty, learning, and environmental awareness, and they achieved exactly that.

MTMS MUSTANG MEADOWS BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Working closely with MTMS staff, Rutgers Master Gardeners, their Girl Scout Troop leaders, and families, the students planned, designed, and built the garden from the ground up. To fund their vision, they organized bake sales and lemonade stands, demonstrating impressive creativity and determination. With approval from the Manchester Township Board of Education, they even repurposed old filing cabinets into raised flower beds, bringing a sustainable touch that adds character to the garden.

MTMS MUSTANG MEADOWS BUTTERFLY GARDENMTMS MUSTANG MEADOWS BUTTERFLY GARDENMTMS MUSTANG MEADOWS BUTTERFLY GARDENMTMS MUSTANG MEADOWS BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Their efforts culminated with the installation of a custom Mustang Meadows sign, funded through their own fundraising efforts and created with help from Gertain Signs. The Rutgers Master Gardeners guided the students throughout the project, helping them research plant species best suited for butterflies, teaching them about soil composition, and even donating time and plants to ensure the garden’s success.

MTMS MUSTANG MEADOWS BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Now complete, Mustang Meadows serves as a peaceful, educational outdoor classroom for MTMS students. Science classes will use the space to study organism production and the life cycle of butterflies, while small group instructional classes taught by Mrs. Strange and Mrs. Stinemire-Tordik will incorporate caring for the garden into their life skills curriculum.

To support future learning, the Girl Scouts added plant identification markers and a butterfly life cycle display board, ensuring that Mustang Meadows remains both beautiful and educational for years to come.

This project not only represents the culmination of Mackenzie, Olivia, and Brianna’s hard work and dedication but also stands as a lasting gift to the Manchester community and one that celebrates learning, nature, and the spirit of giving back.

MTMS MUSTANG MEADOWS BUTTERFLY GARDEN