Hawthorne School Idaho Native Plants Learning Landscape & Teaching Gardens

Before 2017, Hawthorne Elementary’s front garden looked very much like other 60’s era government facilities. A few flowering trees, a couple of tulips, and a whole lot of sod. An effort spearheaded by a group of 6th graders, teacher Susan Wolfe and parent Amy Pence-Brown earned Hawthorne Elementary a Vista Neighborhood Reinvestment grant and transformed the unused grass into the Hawthorne Native Plants Learning Landscape & Teaching Garden. Almost a 1/2 acre of sod was removed and a meandering garden that focused on pollinators, water conservation, locally-sourced landscaping, and outdoor classroom space was put in its place. It was the first of its kind in Idaho and continues to be one of the largest, even now as outdoor learning spaces have hit the mainstream. 

Hawthorne’s native garden features themed areas like the Sensory Garden, Pollinator Garden, Artist Path, and the newest addition, the Principal’s Labyrinth. This hands-on, place-based space connects students to nature, enhances learning, and fosters environmental stewardship. It is 100% volunteer maintained with our deepest gratitude towards our many community partners and supporters and our very own 6th grade teacher Misha Smith for continuing to keep it alive and thriving!

Awards & Grants:

• Recipient of a Vista Neighborhood Reinvestment Grant 2017
• Recipient of an EPA grant 2023
• Recipient of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus certification 2025
• Recipient of a National Geographic grant for a Garden Explorer’s Club 2026
• Hosted the 2021 BSD Sustainability Summit
• Hosted several Project Learning Tree workshops
• Hosted the 2025 NASA Earth to Sky Idaho workshop

Our Current Garden Leads:

• Misha Smith, 6th Grade Teacher, 2023 Environmental Educator of the Year, National Geographic Grosvenor Fellow
• Lauren Studley, Parent volunteer and “Garden Guru”
• Hawthorne Elementary’s Green Team staff and 4th-6th grade “Earth Nerds”

The Original Dream Team!

• Amy Pence Brown, Garden Coordinator (2017-2020)
• Susan Wolfe, retired educator, 2021 Environmental Educator of the Year, National Geographic Grosvenor Fellow
• Holly Hovis, Sego Lily Garden Design, Lead Botanist
• Stephanie Inman, Artist/Designer
• Kenneth McCall, Artist/Sculpture
• Sue Latta, Metalworker

Also Thanks To:

• Ali Ward, BSD Sustainability Team
• Ada Soil & Water Conservation District & Treasure Valley Pollinator Project
• Idaho Native Plant Society & Native Plant Network
• Bird to Bird and Wildbirds Unlimited
• Mike Andrews, City of Boise Community Forestry
• Draggin’ Wing Farm
• Idaho BLM
• Boise Urban Garden School
• Idaho Botanical Garden 
• Idaho Native Plant Society
• UofI Master Gardeners
• Idaho Fence & Stain