The Northeast Pioneers Greenway has some new plants thanks to a few students.

Students in Grades 2 and 3 from Elmwood-based River Elm School spent a chilly morning last week planting wild flowers along the greenway near Gateway Road and Fleming Street in East Kildonan.

The flowers are all native to the area and include prairie crocus and narrow leaved sunflower.

Students from George V School are also taking part in wild flower planting on the greenway this week.

Carissa Campbell, a community school support worker at River Elm, said taking part in the planting was a great opportunity for students to have an impact on their community.

"This is huge for our kids, it’s all about community," Campbell said.

"It’s a way to learn about the environment, and we walked 1.5 kilometres to get here, so there’s the physical aspect as well."

Grade 3 student Kaitlyn Stacky said she enjoyed helping out on the greenway, and is no stranger to getting her hands dirty.

"It’s really helpful for the community. I’ve helped my baba plant flowers and vegetables in her garden too," Stacky said.

Fellow Grade 3 student Sadayna Packo said it will be great when she and her classmates come back next spring to see how the flowers did.

"It’s fun, I want to see the pretty flowers," she said.

Sigrun Bailey, co-chair of the River East Neighbourhood Network-Trail Committee, said it’s a positive sign when youth take an interest in beautifying the greenway.

"We’re really trying to work with the youth to learn about tall prairie grass," Bailey said.

"We think the way to educate people is to start with the youth."

Paul Mutch, education co-ordinator with the city’s naturalist services branch, said having kids get involved is a positive step for the survival of tall prairie grass.

"We’re trying to enhance the existence of the plants that are here already," he said.

"This is exciting because tall prairie grass is an endangered ecosystem, and to have kids learning and helping plant is nice to see."

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adrian.alleyne@canstarnews.com