People and horses can enjoy some new plants at the Virginia Beach Police Mounted Patrol, thanks to students at the Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center.

Landscaping students worked with Virginia Cooperative Extension to design and install plantings for the front of the building on Indian River Road. They used native plants that are not toxic to horses. (Sometimes the mounted patrol horses are out in front of the building.)

Laurie Yates, who teaches   the Landscape Design and Horticulture Science classes, said students can earn industry credentials while learning about ornamental plants and turf, the safe operation of equipment, plant production in a greenhouse environment and indoor hydroponics —  growing plants without the use of soil.

Yates worked with Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Ashton Holliday-Goulart on the project at the Mounted Patrol on Indian River Road.

For two years, the classes have participated in the Virginia Turfgrass Council’s “Come to the Bay” service day, which this year included planting native beach grasses at the Brock Environmental Center.

“We try to give the students as many opportunities as we can to participate in hands-on projects that give them real-world experience,” Yates said. “We try to do what we can to give back to the community that shows us so much support during our three annual plant sales.”