2023, Arlington, VA, USA
5th grade students at Jamestown Elementary studied and investigated the local creek on the school property with the help of a Master Naturalist and park Steward. They discovered that there was a lack of animals around the creek and decided to make a change. Students attracted animals using bird houses and insect hotels. This also included a screech owl box to attract new birds to the area. A flicker nesting box near the creek to attract the local northern flicker population, and snake guards to the blue bird nesting box poles to protect them.
The students were thrilled to see that all 4 boxes were used by the targeted bird population, wrens, and the nests were kept and shown to science students.
The creek became a valuable learning tool for all ages to understand the unique role each organism plays in the overall health of an ecosystem.
SDG: 15: Life on land, 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Targets: 15.5, 6.6
