April 29, 2026

 

Dear Friends,

 

The list of the world’s woes is long, yet you don’t have to look far to find plenty of folks working together for good. In fact, you don’t even need to look farther than Rockbridge County. 

 

Whether it’s protecting water, restoring wildlife, sequestering carbon, or just bringing more happiness into our world, we’ve got this. May this month’s can-do stories from the field inspire us all to keep summoning our gumption and shine.

 

Yours for a thriving Earth,

The Boxerwood Team

Earlier this spring, a bounty of youthful volunteers got to know Boxerwood from the ground up—literally. In mid-March, nearly 80 middle schoolers from both the LDMS and MRMS National Junior Honor Societies joined forces to plant almost 100 pine trees along Boxerwood’s golf course boundary. A few weeks later, VMI cadets pitched in with their own group efforts.

After months of swimming around in a glass-enclosed home, 100 native brook trout rode a school bus to Colliers Creek earlier this month, and they discovered a whole new world. Raised from eggs in a Rockbridge County High School Agriculture classroom, the fish entered their new habitat with considerable trepidation, but their student handlers encouraged them forth. Congratulations to all the students in Ms. Gwen Gosney’s Ag/Foresty program for a successful launch, pictured here with RCPS Superintendent Dr. Phillip Thompson, who came to cheer them on.

When 3rd graders learn that stormwater can wash soil down Boxerwood’s hill to the ponds, they are ever ready to help protect the habitat of frogs and turtles. This spring, many groups of children organized themselves – with a little Boxerwood help – to tackle erosion by planting grass in our bare spots. The activity is one of several in our 4-hour “Good Earth” program. By design, this lesson emphasizes teamwork and cooperation: the foundation for even more future stewardship actions to come. And it grows grass!

Eight weeks into this year's Backyard Compost Challenge, many of our participating households are gaining confidence with the composting process. How do we know? Together, they've already diverted almost 3,000 pounds of food waste from our landfill. This past week, we were curious about an upstream question: What can we do to prevent food waste to begin with? We asked the 2026 Slop Superstars for their advice, and they delivered.

A 600-tree project that took place last month in southern Rockbridge isn’t yet listed on our carbon offset marketplace, but it had all the hallmarks of a COREworks-worthy endeavor. Notably, the reforestation project wasn’t just about sequestering carbon, but connecting and inspiring people too. This project brought together two organizations – Boxerwood and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation – plus the landowners and team of forestry students from Rockbridge County High School. Planting trees together not only restored the land but helped these vocationally-focused teens forge new knowledge, skills, and career connections. In the COREworks world, caring for the Earth and one another go hand in hand.

We’ve had a number of folks ask us about the lineup for this summer’s Music in the Garden – and it’s going to be a great season! Our family-friendly evening concerts commence Friday, May 29th. Admission is $5 per adult, and free for all kids, lightning bugs, and adults with a garden membership. Most of the time we’ll have a food truck too. Able to help out with parking? Contact Hannah West.

Hey, friends – it’s bloom time! Join the community effort that helps unfurl Boxerwood’s wonders in all their splendiforous ways. Our annual Spring Appeal is now underway. Your gift in tandem with others keeps Boxerwood thriving – and we really do need and appreciate your help. Please consider a contribution today in whatever amount brings you joy.

Boxerwood and the Rockbridge Bird Club will host a Family Birdwalk on Saturday, May 9th, from 9:00–11:00 am. Bring your own binoculars if you can, though we have some to loan as well. All ages welcome and no prior experience expected. Meet in our upper parking lot for a fine morning of guided meandering. This program is free of charge, but please register below so we know who’s coming.

Wish you had more time to catch up with a friend? Why not volunteer together as weekend greeters at the Boxerwood’s garden kiosk, or at a summer Music in the Garden event? Shifts are two hours, seated, and in the shade. We supply the chair plus simple training. You supply a welcoming smile and if you want, BYOF (Bring Your Own Friend). We’re looking for some extra help now and then – is that you? Contact Hannah West.

Throughout our 25th year, we’re sharing stories of young people whose Boxerwood experiences shaped their passions and vocations. Have a young friend to recommend? Contact Catherine Epstein: catherine@boxerwood.org

 

In 2024, when Zola Brookman first joined the Tree Team – a Boxerwood-led internship for Buena Vista high schoolers – she doubted she’d enjoy it. “I thought we were gonna get really dirty and really sweaty and muddy, and that wasn’t my thing,” she said. While that first summer was more fun than she expected – “It was so much more amazing than I ever thought it could have been,” she remembers – she had no interest in a career related to the environment.

After another summer with the Tree Team, however, Zola underwent a transformation. “I completely changed my mind,” she explained. “I can so see myself doing something with environmental science, or trees, or just being in nature.”

What’s better than one corporate sponsor? How about two! How pleased we were to learn that both of Modine’s facilities in Rockbridge County are combining forces to support Boxerwood with a generous sponsorship for the upcoming year. The double sponsorship is new for Modine – and for Boxerwood – and arrives at an important time for our respective organizations. In conversations with company representatives, we have been learning more about Modine’s commitment to environmental sustainability and we’re heartened and honored to be a recipient of this company’s investment. Thank you, Modine.

Boxerwood Education Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Federal Tax ID: 54-1937944

Sent by Boxerwood.

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