Rewild at the Roots: FA Junior Turns Campus Soil into a Sanctuary

With a break in the heat and timed perfectly before a weekend soaking, Friends Academy students gathered on campus to celebrate biodiversity and environmental stewardship during the recent “Rewild at the Roots” event, led by Shreya Kedia '27.

More than a dozen students joined their classmate to help plant a garden of nine native plants, representing seven different species, that were selected to support local ecosystems and pollinators:

• Coneflower/Echinacea purpurea
• New York Fern/Helypteris noveboracensis
• Swamp Milkweed/Asclepias incarnata
• Wild Pink or Catchfly/Silene caroliniana
• Little Gold Star Black Eyed Susan/Rudbeckia fulgida
• Foamflower/Tiarella cordifolia
• Pink frosted Bee Balm/Monarda didyma
• Blue-Eyed Grass Suwannee/Sisyrinchium nashii

Shreya, who has volunteered with Rewild Long Island for the past four years, said her passion for native plants began through her work restoring biodiversity both locally and recently during a project focused on native plants in India.

“As development continues to expand, native habitats are becoming increasingly fragmented, making it more difficult for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife to thrive,” Shreya shared. “Rewilding is the process of restoring these ecological connections by reintroducing native plants that support local ecosystems.”

The planting event was held on International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), a marker that highlights the importance of protecting native ecosystems and promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Invited guest and Town of North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava attended the event and spoke to students, faculty, school leadership, and parents about the pressing need for these kinds of conservation and preservation efforts.

“We need to be aware of how much plastic is being dumped in our waterways and because of deforestation, what kind of extreme weather we are experiencing,” Mrs. Srivastava said. “We all have a role to play and our collective duty is to do something – maybe plant a tree, minimize plastic – whatever you can do to help Mother Nature and humanity.”

Mrs. Srivastava had the honor of planting the first native of the morning: Swamp Milkweed, a species Shreya selected for its ecological significance. “I chose this plant because it plays a critical role in supporting monarch butterflies,” explained Shreya. “In fact, monarchs can only lay their eggs on milkweed species, making plants like this essential for their survival. Its flowers also provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and many other pollinators that help sustain healthy ecosystems.”

With shovels and spades in hand, attending Upper School students worked quickly and efficiently to complete the garden installation. “Make sure the plant is fully covered with soil,” Shreya instructed her classmates as the garden began to come to life.

Sharing that her own interest in native plants began after searching for a difficult-to-find herb while cooking with friends, Mrs. Srivastava has found enthusiasm and momentum from the children of her constituents. “A lot of these plants aren’t utilized in a widespread way,” she said. “The children in my community actually came up with some of our town native plant initiatives, and I thought that if they are coming forward, then I’ll come and support it. I am inspired by this morning.”

Shreya’s parents, Rajiv and Abhilasha, who donated the native plants to Friends Academy, expressed gratitude for the strong turnout and community support. “I am overwhelmed by the support from the school and the students. The kids are really doing it, and this will be awesome if this continues,” shared Mr. Kedia. “If other people take over when Shreya graduates,” Mrs. Kedia stated, “that would be wonderful.”

Aided by several FA colleagues including Director of College Counseling Edward Dugger, Director of Student Engagement Deidre Cooper, Director of Student Affairs Camille S. Edwards, and Dean of Upper School Jozeph Herceg, the new native garden now stands as both a hands-on environmental project and a reminder of the important role students can play in protecting local biodiversity.

“While this garden may seem small, it demonstrates how even modest spaces can contribute to a healthier and more resilient environment,” urged Shreya.

Photography by Alvin Caal/Friends Academy