Nestled within 49 acres of trails and wild nature, the Sibley Nature Center’s Education Garden serves as a vibrant educational resource for the Midland community.
Established in 1998, the garden’s mission is to engage youth and adults through hands-on horticultural education and interaction with the region’s natural habitats. Jennifer Gammage, the garden coordinator, shares insights into the garden’s offerings and impact.
“The vision of the Sibley Education Garden is to engage youth and adults in the natural habitats of our region through horticultural education and interaction with nature,” Gammage said. “When we invite our community to the Garden, we hope to inspire them to want to learn about the flora and fauna that can be found in our own backyard and the ecosystems that can be discovered in them.”
The garden showcases a variety of popular plants, each with unique attributes that attract visitors and pollinators alike. Some popular plants in the garden include the Flame Acanthus, which provides a beautiful visual for visitors with its firework-like flowers and also attracts many pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, Gammage said. Lantana is another favorite, recognized for thriving in the Midland environment and drawing numerous pollinators.
Among the garden’s highlights are the seasonal vegetables and fruits that captivate students during field trips. The sustainable Snapdragon flower, known for its vibrant colors and whimsical “mouth” illusion, is a particular favorite.
“We have three types of Milkweed planted in all four corners of the garden, a vital plant for the lifecycle of the Monarch Butterfly,” she said. “This helps spread the word about the importance of this plant and encourages the community to plant some as well.”
The garden’s landscape evolves with the seasons, offering an ever-changing display of spring wildflowers and stunning summer sunflowers. This dynamic environment ensures that each visit offers something new to discover.
The Sibley Education Garden is a sensory-rich environment designed to stimulate children’s curiosity about nature. According to Gammage, the Education Garden helps children utilize their senses the moment they walk in. The smell of the blooms, the visuals of flowers and bushes, and the sight of butterflies are noticed immediately.
Children are encouraged to interact with plants like fresh-cut dill and sweet mint, enhancing their experience through smell, touch, and taste. The garden also provides a habitat for various birds, offering a symphony of natural sounds.
“We often stop to discuss the Mockingbirds, Thrashers, Hummingbirds, and Hawks that can all be seen and heard from our garden,” Gammage said.
Educational activities at the garden extend beyond flora and fauna to include solar energy demonstrations and water conservation practices. Gammage explains that they discuss water conservation using their dripline system, recirculating pond water, and rain collection station. Her workspace, the "Haybale" house, is made from haybales with a stucco finish, which allows for discussions on the integration of nature, architecture, and function.
Since its inception in 1998 and the construction of the Haybale house in 2000, the Sibley Education Garden has grown into a cherished community resource. Looking to the future, the garden aims to expand its educational offerings.
“Our future goals are to continue to grow, develop, and implement educational classes and courses for both kids and adults while stimulating a desire to learn and grow,” Gammage said.
Visitors are welcome to explore the garden, usually open to the public from Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Those on the trail can enjoy a stroll through the garden or relax by the small pond near the shade of a large mesquite tree. As Gammage aptly puts it, “Sibley Education Garden is a beautiful hidden oasis amongst the 49 acres of trail system and wild nature in Midland, TX.”