Native Plant/ Habitat Restoration

2013 Sacramento, California, USA

As students in the Watershed Biology class as Christian Brothers High School, Scott Sturges, Ty Patrick, and Dominick Tullo studied several issues and concerns with their local watershed. They were especially concerned about the loss of riparian habitat for wood ducks and other bird and wildlife species. Their proposal, which made the finals, was to restore habitat by planting native species of trees and shrubs and building nesting boxes for birds.

Christian Brothers students worked with Putah Creek Council to plant several native species of trees and shrubs both along the banks of Putah Creek and in an upland area adjacent to the creek. An implementation grant from Nutrien helped pay for transportation for the students to the project site.

In addition to improving wildlife habitat and the increasing the diversity of native plants along the creek, their plantings will help to stabilize the stream banks and strengthen the riparian buffer, which acts to filter pollutants before entering the creek. The diversity of natives can also serve as habitat for pollinators, which are essential to the surrounding agricultural area. Theirs is truly a project that will have positive benefits for the watershed for years to come.

Blackberry Removal Along Arcade Creek

2013 Sacramento, California, USA

As a student at Mira Loma High School, Preethi Raju participates in the Arcade Creek Project, which aims to restore Arcade Creek by having students engage in a variety of actions, such as testing water chemistry to check for pollution, cataloging the different plants and animals, and taking part in restoration tasks. In addition, Mira Loma students hold various outreach events throughout the year to inform the public about how they can help to ensure the creek stays healthy.

As students spend time and learn more about the creek area, they are encouraged to think of ways to improve and expand upon stewardship of this natural resource

After visiting Arcade Creek, Raju was particularly concerned with the invasive, non-native plant Himalayan Blackberry, This aggressive, thorny bush grows quickly, has a large root system, and outcompetes native plants. Thus, these native plants are deprived of their habitats, and so are the animals that depend on these plants.

Raju wrote a proposal to increase the number of student volunteers and work events held to limit the encroachment of Himalayan Blackberry. Her proposal included recruiting students from other area high schools. Raju’s proposal made the Caring for Our Watersheds finals, and as a result of her actions, more than 20 students joined the effort to help remove the non-native plant.

With implementation funds from Nutrien, Raju purchased new tools to remove the invasive species and held outings after school various times throughout the year to go and work on the plants. The students not only removed considerable blackberry from several sites, but also engaged in other projects, such as picking up trash and planting seeds for native plants.

Students Raise Salmon in Their Classroom for Release

2013 Stockton, California, USA

When Stockton Collegiate juniors Breana Inoshita, Nura Nasser, and Alyssa Somers were directed to research the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and identify an environmental concern, the girls identified a native fish facing declining populations, Chinook salmon. Raising salmon would help bring awareness to the student body of Stockton Collegiate that Chinook salmon are native to the Delta and that the salmon population has been declining for a variety of reasons.

In March 2012 Inoshita, Nasser, and Somers were awarded 7th place in the Caring for Our Watersheds competition for their plan to raise salmon and release them to the Delta. Starting in December of 2012 the girls implemented their plan at school with funding from Caring for Our Watersheds. With the help of their school club, they built the incubator for the salmon, and eggs were delivered on December 19, 2012. The tank was monitored daily for appearance (of the salmon), water temperature, and pH. When the salmon fry were finally ready, the girls and their teacher traveled north east to just below the Mokelumne River Hatchery, and helped release the fry on March 22nd, 2013.

The students plan on raising salmon again next year and will include a second incubator at the Stockton Children’s Museum.

Students who are a part of the after school program will maintain and monitor the incubator. This project will bring more awareness and education about the salmon native to our watershed to the greater Stockton community.

Tree Huggers

2013 Campbellford, Ontario, Canada

Taylor, Christina, and Brooke, grade 8 students from Kent Public School in Campbellford identified that their watershed is lacking in trees. Currently, our watershed forest cover is only 21% when it should be (at a minimum of) 30%. We’re looking to increase this forest cover. By increasing the amount of trees in our watershed, will help purify the air and water.

Taylor, Christina and Brooke proposed planting trees in their community. Their project was implemented by planting 62 trees in the spring of 2014 as part of a larger edible forest project at Kent Public School.

This Caring for Our Watershed idea has had a positive impact for the health of the Lower Trent Watershed and the local communities.

Bag it! Trash it!

2013 Brighton, Ontario, Canada

Tyler Brown, a grade 9 student from East Northumberland Secondary School won first place for his idea called Bag it! Trash it! Tyler identified that dog waste that is left on the ground by pet owners throughout the watershed is a problem with an easy solution. He identified various environmental concerns such as contamination of local water systems as well as health concerns from diseased dog feces

Tyler proposed installing dog waste dispensers with biodegradable bags in convenient public locations throughout the watershed to encourage dog owners to pick up dog waste and dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner.

The uptake of Tyler’s solution has been tremendous throughout the Lower Trent Region Watershed with a total of 18 dog waste dispensers to be installed as a result of Tyler’s idea. From May 2013 to August 2013, 14 dog waste dispensers were installed in high canine areas in the towns of Colborne, Brighton (including two Conservation Areas; Proctor Park and Goodrich-Loomis) and Frankford. In the fall of 2013 another eight dog waste dispensers were installed in Presqu’ile Provincial Park.

Tyler’s Caring for Our Watershed idea has had a positive impact for the health of the Lower Trent Watershed and the local communities.

“Green” Education for Life

2013, San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires, Argentina

This project emphasizes the early teaching of environment care to kindergarten students. It aims to teach the students about nature and simple ways to take care of it. One example is by making vegetable gardens that are built with disposable materials. This project also implements puppet shows and plays to captivate students while also creating awareness.

CNC assisted in the project by putting the students in contact with two plastic artists. These artists helped the students create a “square garden” with puppets for the puppet shows/plays and an “owl” that illustrates different images of birds and trees.

Students Demonstrate Water Efficient Landscaping

2012 Sacramento, California, USA

Florin High School students identified an opportunity on their school campus to demonstrate water-efficient landscaping, educate fellow students, parents, and community members, and beautify the school. Their proposal was to overhaul 8 old school planter boxes, which formerly held only unsightly weeds, old tree stumps, and garbage, by planting drought-tolerant California native species. Native species are adapted to the local climate and environment and do not require long-term irrigation or use of pesticides.

Acknowledging the diversity of their community, they also planned to install interpretive signs in 8 languages to educate on the benefits of landscaping with native species, such as conserving water, supporting native pollinators and bird species, etc. Students also would to give tours of the planters on back to school nights and other events to educate community members in addition to the student body.

When the students, who were mostly ESL Learners, gave a solid presentation at the 2012 Caring for Our Watersheds (CFW) final competition, they took second place and decided to implement their project with available CFW funds and additional club fundraisershe CFW finalists, as well as other members of their Watershed Team, planted in two phases. Fortunately, the school donated maintenance staff time to clear the planters of old tree stumps and fix existing irrigation, as this required some machinery. The students then refilled the planters with soil and planted a variety of California native forbs and shrubs. In addition to drawing attention to the newly refurbished planters, the students also drew more attention and interest to their afterschool Watershed Team, which has since tripled in size. These students will not only continue to care for the planter boxes, but will also continue to pursue other watershed stewardship and education opportunities in their community

Students Plant Oaks Along Sierra Creek

2012 Antelope, California, USA

Antelope High School Student Stephani Smith was concerned about the health of a creek that ran through her suburban neighborhood. Sierra Creek, a tributary to larger Dry Creek, had very little vegetation along its banks and the water was warm, stagnant, and full of sediment. Dry Creek has historically been habitat for Steelhead Trout and Chinook Salmon, but has suffered habitat degradation. Smith wanted to address this problem in her local watershed by planting native oak trees along the banks of Sierra Creek. In her Caring for Our Watersheds proposal and presentation, she explained the many benefits of such a planting. The roots of the trees would stabilize the soil and help prevent excessive soil erosion. The trees would provide shade to the creek to lower the water temperature for fish and aquatic species while also providing habitat for the native species of birds and mammals in the area. Also, the trees would improve the appearance of the local community and increase her community’s pride and respect for nature. Smith took first place in the 2012 CFW Final Competition.

Smith, fellow Antelope High Students, and community members participated in a large planting event on November 2, 2012. CFW implementation funds helped pay for the trees and many materials needed. They also received technical support and/or funding from several environmental organizations, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dry Creek Conservancy, Center for Land-Based Learning, Sac Tree Foundation, and Sac Area Creeks Council.

Approximately 60 saplings of Valley and Interior Dry Oaks were planted, along with 56 acorns. Different methods of non-traditional irrigation were used in separate areas of the planting site, including Dri-Water and Groasis Waterboxes. Antelope students will continue to monitor and study the effectiveness of these different methods as well as continue to care for the trees in years to come.

Erosion Control Project

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.

Native Plants Project

2012 Arlington, Virginia, USA

Swanson Middle School sixth graders wanted to address the problem of invasive species in Virginia because they inadequately support local food webs and they threaten native plant species. They chose to remove invasive plants and plant native species on the school grounds. As an outreach component of their project, they created a “garden of photographs,” that identified native and invasive plants commonly found in Arlington.