This month’s Garden Buddies adventure at Sarah and Bailey Williamson Nature Preserve was bursting with fun, learning, and laughter—despite a last-minute change in plans from creek exploration to land-based discovery (thanks to water quality concerns). Huge thanks to our friends at the Triangle Land Conservancy for turning the day into something truly special for our Trail Mommas crew.

Our day kicked off with a hands-on lesson all about pollinators—those tiny but mighty heroes like bees and butterflies that help our gardens grow and food crops thrive. Through interactive games and activities, the kids learned just how important these creatures are to the world around us—and how we can help protect them.

We also discovered what makes this preserve so unique: the working farm areas! TLC partners with local farmers who use the land to grow crops in a way that supports both community and conservation. It was a powerful reminder that nature and agriculture don’t have to be separate—they can thrive side by side when done thoughtfully.

One of the highlights of the day was our “Seed to Store” apple relay. The kids ran, laughed, and learned as they acted out each stage of an apple’s journey—from seed, to tree, to harvest, sorting, and eventually landing on grocery store shelves. It was a playful but meaningful way to understand the work behind the food we eat and the importance of eating our veggies.

And speaking of veggies, our group even adopted fruit and veggie nicknames for the day! We had a Liam Lime, a Barrett Banana, a Wesson Watermelon, a Marley Mango, and even an Oliver Orange—just to name a few. It added a silly and sweet layer to the day.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Garden Buddies event without crafts! The kids got creative and made their very own Garden Buddies to take home—adorable plant pals with names and personalities all their own. Two favorites from the day? Cricket and Dory, who we’re pretty sure are going to be the stars as they grow into tomato plants.

We left the preserve with dirty hands, full hearts, and a deeper appreciation for pollinators, farmers, food, and each other. These are the moments that plant seeds of connection—and we can’t wait to see what grows next.

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