2012 Arlington, Virginia, USA
Swanson Middle School sixth graders examined the condition for Four Mile Run in Bluemont Park and discovered that the erosion and sedimentation that are evident there also have serious consequences for the Chesapeake Bay. They decided to take action on the school grounds, where they focused their efforts on an eroding slope in front of the school at a location that is highly visible to the public.
With help and guidance from Arlington Regional Master Naturalist volunteers, they identified suitable native plants for the location and obtained school permission to replant the area. They also formed an art committee to design and created signage to draw the attention of passers-by to the erosion, habitat, and pollinator benefits of native plantings.