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Twenty- seven students from the 5th grade class
the Mountain Ridge Intermediate School participated with
lead teacher, Beth LeGrand, in planting 72 native plants in
a 120 square foot rain garden. The rain garden is located
near the art classroom along the side of the school. |
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After
meeting with Principal Mullenax and Beth LeGrand it was
clear the enthusiasm they had for a diverse landscape around
the school grounds. The abundance of turf grass surrounding
the school provided a blank canvas for change and a rain
garden that provided both function and beauty for the school
was an ideal match. The rain garden will capture stormwater
runoff pollution from a section of parking lot and sidewalk.
Four
students from Musselman High School’s W.E.T Club (Watershed
Enhancement Team) visited the school to provide an
educational outreach for the 5th grade class. The
High School students gave lessons using Cacapon Institute’s
Potomac Highlands Watershed School (eSchool) on watersheds
and non-point source pollution. An enviroscape was used to
depict how urban and agricultural runoff pollution can
decrease water quality. Students learned that pollution
affecting water quality comes from the surrounding land use
practices. |
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Students joined us first thing on April 11, to get started
on planting. Molly Barkman, CI’s Outreach Coordinator, did a
small review lesson with the students before planting.
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Each student helped to arrange the plants according to the
plant that had been drawn up prior. A planting demo was
performed for the students. The hard working students worked
in pairs to plant the 72 native plants. |
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Students
learned new names for plants and also learned the proper
mulching practices.
Students
enjoyed the activity and reflected on their experience in a
writing assignment.
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A core group of students continues to make sure the rain
garden is watered and the weeds are pulled. |
