As Austin ISD schools that were shuttered back in 2021 take on new life, one such transformation is garnering attention for its innovative approach to education and community engagement. The Outdoor Wonder and Learning (OWL) Center, situated at the former Metz Elementary School site, is reinventing the way students interact with their natural environment. According to the City of Austin blog post, Colleen Garland, an Outdoor Learning Specialist with Austin ISD, is the driving force behind the project, which scored a Bright Green Future Grant to jumpstart its mission.
The OWL Center aims to convert a previously unremarkable lawn into a bustling pollination station. Flying by, bees, butterflies, birds, and bats will find refuge and a habitat at this blossoming site. As Garland pointed out in the blog, "We will convert a boring mono-crop lawn into a lively pollination station to provide respite and habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, and bats." The plan includes the introduction of native plants, pollinator-friendly water features, and even solar-powered amenities.
More than just a biodiversity hotspot, the OWL Center endeavors to restore a sense of vibrancy to a neighborhood that felt the silence after the school's closure. Recalling discussions with local residents, Garland shared in an interview, "He told me it was like going outside and no longer birds chirping. He just wanted us to bring the kids back." The initiative has been well-received, with the space opening for field trips ahead of its official launch this fall.
The center reflects a larger purpose of acknowledging the intrinsic value of nature within an urban setting. As put by Garland, "All children and grown-ups deserve to experience the wonder of the natural world, even in the city!" With the ongoing support from the Bright Green Future Grants program, Garland's vision of igniting curiosity and joy in natural spaces is unfolding one child, one neighbor, and one garden at a time in various corners of Austin.
