From Classroom to Conservation: How Matti Curran Inspires Future Pollinator Protectors
- Melissa Marazas
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Meet Matti: An Educator, Practicing Environmentalist, and Planet Bee Icon
Matti is a Philadelphia-based elementary educator and an integral volunteer at Planet Bee Foundation. For the past three years, she’s been a vital part of Planet Bee’s presence at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Without her support, Planet Bee wouldn’t have been able to engage thousands of attendees in hands-on activities like making seed balls, sharing pollinator knowledge, and fostering meaningful conversations about sustainability.
Discovering Planet Bee and Finding a Purpose
Matti was led to the foundation by Planet Bee’s unique blend of environmentalism and education. “I was excited by the dual focus on environmentalism and education at Planet Bee Foundation,” she said. “I'm grateful for their programs and resources and happy to give back by offering my time.” Since getting involved, volunteering with Planet Bee has offered her new opportunities—like tabling at events and connecting with other passionate people. “Volunteering for Planet Bee has provided new experiences (tabling) and the chance to network with so many awesome people,” she shared.
Her enthusiasm for the mission continues to grow. “I learn a ton at every event which motivates me to stay engaged and continue participating whenever possible.” Matti encourages others to get involved—not just for the knowledge they’ll gain, but for the sense of community and purpose it fosters.
The Philadelphia Flower Show: A Tradition with Meaning
The Philadelphia Flower Show (PFS) is the oldest and largest annual event of its kind in the world, curated by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Attracting more than 250,000 people each year, it features elaborate floral displays, sustainable gardening exhibits, educational workshops, and hands-on experiences.
For Matti, attending PFS has long been a tradition, but discovering Planet Bee deepened her connection to the show. She’s now volunteered at the event for three consecutive years. “The production is so grand, but the individual interactions with guests, volunteers, and staff are what make it so special,” she said.
One of her favorite memories is from the 2024 PFS, when she helped table for Planet Bee during “Flowers After Hours.” As she described it, “A mix of nature-love and glamour made for an amazing night!”
Bringing Environmentalism Into the Classroom
In her professional life, Matti is an outstanding role model as an educator and environmentalist. She continuously looks for ways to share, engage, and discuss environmental issues and personal sustainability practices in the daily lives of her students. In her classroom, she centers educational content around plant and animal species, habitats, natural resources, conservation, and human impact. “It makes it easy to get students thinking about important topics and issues that exist,” she said.
Environmentalism in her classroom is based on mindfulness. “We are mindful of our impact on natural spaces. We are careful around plants, try not to disturb insects, and dispose of trash responsibly. We are mindful of our consumption of supplies, especially single-use items. We collect would-be trash for upcycled art projects, go on litter-walks around the recess yard, and clear trash from the storm drains and sidewalks near our school.”
Matti believes that conversations around pollinators, sustainability, and climate are especially powerful in urban settings where students may not always have direct access to green space. She explained, “There is so much overlap when it comes to social and environmental justice, and it’s really uplifting to witness students as they share concerns, find root causes, and propose changes/solutions.”
Environmental literacy has been widely recognized as a catalyst for civic action and personal accountability. Studies show that when people understand the importance of ecosystem services and how their choices affect the environment, they are more likely to make informed decisions and become engaged citizens. From an environmental citizenship perspective, awareness about pollinators helps boost active and responsible participation in addressing urgent issues (Cho & Lee, 2018; Hadjichambis & Reis, 2020)
Matti’s Green Living Guide
Beyond her classroom, Matti continues her commitment to sustainability. Her “yard” in South Philly—a cement slab—is full of large pots where she grows native plants, including some from Planet Bee seed balls. “It’s full of large pots where I have native plants growing (including some from seed balls!) to help our pollinators,” she said.
Still, she acknowledges the challenges of living a low-waste lifestyle. “Some things inevitably become waste,” she said. To reduce her impact, she makes thoughtful purchasing decisions, minimizes packaging and shipping, sends hard-to-recycle items to Terracycle, and drops off glass containers at a local circular production site called Bottle Underground.
She also practices one of her guiding mantras: “Repair > Replace!” Whether it’s clothing, household goods, or classroom supplies, Matti prioritizes fixing items before buying new ones. “An electric pencil sharpener,” she said, was her latest challenge—“proof that sometimes, sustainability takes patience!”
The Power of Community Involvement
One of Matti’s most meaningful takeaways from her environmental work is the power of community. “There are just so many opportunities for growth and connection when you intentionally lean into local groups and initiatives,” she said. She believes that people are most engaged when their time and efforts are valued, and that collaboration can lead to lasting change. “It’s empowering to see so many people protecting our natural spaces and species. It reaffirms that collective action has a lasting impact, no matter how small.”
Join the Movement at Planet Bee Foundation
Matti’s story is just one example of how Planet Bee volunteers make a real difference. Whether you’re passionate about pollinators, environmental education, or sustainability, there’s a place for you. Get involved with your daily choices—or by volunteering with Planet Bee—and be a part of something bigger. A healthier planet starts with all of us.
Thank you, Matti, for your dedication and passion!