ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals defenseman Jeff Schultz will join nearly 50 Caps fans and 20 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff members and volunteers to build a habitat garden at Powell Elementary School on Thursday, June 9 at 9 a.m. This garden is part of the USDA's People's Garden initiative and the Capitals and USDA have been working with the staff and students at Powell Elementary School on making it a reality since February. The Capitals adopted Powell Elementary School, a largely minority D.C. Public School for preschoolers through fourth graders, during the 2010-11 season and have visited the school with staff and players on numerous occasions.
With the help of the USDA and Caps volunteers, Schultz and mascot Slapshot will help transform the grassy area on the Powell playground into a habitat garden and outdoor learning area. The project involves building a path, planting plants and flowers and installing bird feeders, a bird bath, a bat house, a tool shed and benches. The garden will include a picnic area, outdoor classroom, hummingbird garden, bird habitat, monarch watch garden and native bee garden. Throughout the course of the day, students will help volunteers on the project.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned to take place at approximately 12:45 p.m. with volunteers and the entire student body participating.
About the United States Department of Agriculture's People's Garden
The People's Garden initiative is an effort by the United States Department of Agriculture which challenges its employees to establish People's Gardens at USDA facilities worldwide or help communities create gardens. People's Gardens vary in size and type, but all have a common purpose -- to help the community they're within and the environment. For more information, go to www.usda.gov/peoplesgarden.
WHO: Washington Capitals defenseman Jeff Schultz
WHAT: Will help Caps, USDA volunteers and Powell teachers and students build a garden at
Powell Elementary School
WHEN: Thursday, June 9
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled to take place at 12:45 p.m.)
WHERE: Powell Elementary School
1350 Upshur Street, Northwest
Washington, DC 20011