Through a grant from the National Wildlife Fund, students in Michele Larson’s White River High School advanced placement biology class have been putting together a garden that involves the community and creates awareness about native plants.

Those students are ready to open its gates to the public. A native garden open house is set for 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at White River High School. Everyone is welcome. The native garden is behind the WRHS theater and across from the retention pond. There will be refreshments and door prizes.

For nearly a year, students have been researching native plants and the importance and benefits of planting native gardens. Larson said the garden will be open to all grades and academic areas with the hope of increasing awareness of native plants and the importance of maintaining native biodiversity. Students are also working to create an elementary curriculum packet to encourage the use of the garden by the elementary school teachers in the district. Students will also be creating brochures about native gardening.