Officials from the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and the Regional Environmental Council, Inc., of Worcester, on Friday, July 24, visited Elm Park Elementary School’s outdoor garden — one of several that benefitted recently from a $56,000 state grant.

The funding, through the Community Biodiversity Grant Program, expanded 10 existing pollinator gardens and resulted in the installation of 5 new gardens in the city, primarily at schools.

The project included planting more than 40 native perennial species to increase biodiversity, sustain pollinator populations, improve soil health, strengthen urban ecosystem resilience, and connect communities to nature.

Additional schools that benefitted from the grant were Tatnuck, Rice Square, Wawecus, Jacob Hiatt, Flagg Street, Goddard, Clark Street, North High, Worcester Technical High, and Vernon Hill.