Virginia Students Reduce Spread of Invasive Species

2023, Arlington, VA, USA

When fifth grade students at Jamestown Elementary conducted an environmental inventory of Jamestown Elementary and Jamestown Park with the Master Naturalist and Park Steward, they found many invasive plant species. These plant species were not native to the area and may have been spread there by seeds stuck on to visitors’ shoes.

To address this problem, students installed boot brushes close to where the invasive plant species were spreading as well as other key areas. They worked with their art teacher to create signs that would educate others on how to use boot brushes and the impact of invasive species. They planned and stocked up on replacement brushes and signs when future grade students notice that they are needed.

Many students have now changed their habits and use the boot brush regularly to protect the local watershed. They understand the impact of invasive plants and know what to look out for in the future.

SDG: 15: Life on Land

Targets: 15.5, 15.8

Creating Animal Habitats for Our Creek

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

Young People Leading American Eel Species Repopulation

2023, Lewistown, PA, USA

Wildlife and Fisheries Science students at Mifflin County High School took action to help restore the native American Eel population in Kish Creek.

They partnered with Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Cerry Township, Mifflin County Conservation District, PA Fish and Boat Commission, and the PA Game Commission to create a sustainable action plan.

Upon learning about the eels and their impact in the waterway, students raised eel in the classroom, released them into the local creek, and planted native seedlings along the creek. This project occurred throughout the duration of the school year and resulted in an immediate increase in the local eel population.

The students plan to continue monitoring the eel in their local watershed, conduct water testing, and involve future classes in macroinvertebrate monitoring. The knowledge and resources that they have gained while monitoring this eel population, is inspiring them to educate friends and families and involve themselves in other projects that can improve their local watershed.

SDG: 4: Quality Education, 14: Life Below Water, 15: Life on Land

Targets: 14.1, 15.1

Purple Martin Towers

2022, Herndon, Virginia, USA

We are the Herndon Elementary School Bee’s Green Team! In 2022 we won 1^st place in the Chesapeake Bay Caring for Our watershed contest with our project, “Purple Martin Project” and we installed 2 purple martin towers on our school property with funding from this competition. Why? This bird species has been declining and plays a vital role in improving the biodiversity of ecosystems in our community and around the world.

Now, we are expanding our idea to help others build Purple Martin Towers in their communities in order to help the Purple Martins thrive there. As the international idea for the 2022-23 school year, Purple Martin towers will be installed in each CFW region internationally! We are excited to continue to work as a school, and throughout other schools along the Purple Martin’s migratory path, to manage and monitor the tower and species with a bird watching area.

Check out our demonstration of setting up and cleaning out your purple martin towers here:

Students Expand Tree Canopy

2022, Arlington, VA, USA

5th graders at Barrett Elementary School launched a campaign to expand their community’s tree canopy and raise awareness of how to keep trees healthy to improve their watershed.

The students led by example and participated throughout the whole process of planting trees. Despite hot weather, they dug holes, hauled mulch, and planted the trees. They collaborated with John Stewart, a special education teacher, who donated his time to purchase the trees from a local nursery.

Students are planning to continue to work to keep them strong and healthy as they grow by mulching and rewatering as needed. The students have launched an awareness campaign with their peers around how to keep our plants healthy and plan to create posters about the benefits of trees and why we shouldn’t climb, or pick leaves off when they are young. By raising awareness about how to protect life on land, they aim to change resident practices to create a lasting impact on their watershed.

SDG: 15: Life on Land

Targets: 15.1

To FLY you must eat first!

Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

The monarch butterfly population is decreasing fast which is why Jake Anselmo from Rocky Mountain High School decided to take action. Monarch butterflies migrate across the continent providing an invaluable service as pollinators. Their role as pollinators is essential for many ecosystems to thrive. In an effort to address his concern, Jake planted native milkweed in his watershed. Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed for laying their eggs and for nourishment. Milkweed, unfortunately, has also decreased in Jake’s watershed due to the loss of habitat from land development and the improper spraying of weed killer. To make his impact count, Jake distributed milkweeds to his peers at school for planting. Jake also planted milkweed in a personal garden and in a garden near his school. Jake’s solution helps contribute to Target 15.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

outside garden containing milkweed plant, student standing in garden

There’s No Plan Bee

Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

The bee population is decreasing across the United States due to habitat loss. Their population decline could result in major effects on native plants and crops as bees play a vital role in our watersheds. Sadie Gudmestad and Evelyn Railsback from Rocky Mountain High School decided to take action by educating elementary students about these essential pollinators and how they benefit their watershed. Sadie and Evelyn presented to 150 elementary students in two different schools. Each student also received a kit containing flower seeds, a flowerpot, and a soil disc. With these kits, students were given the opportunity to grow a bee habitat around their homes to help address the decline in bee population. Sadie and Evelyns’ project contributed to Target of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Students presenting in front of screen to class, classroom view of students presenting

Sustainable Rain Garden

Dayspring Christian Academy, Greeley, Colorado, USA

Jacob Riemer, Elijah Dougherty, Malachi Fast, and Jack Lawrence from Dayspring Christian Academy noticed that water was running off the streets and their school parking lot, carrying pollutants into water sources. Their school did not yet have a water collection system in place to help filter runoff water. That’s why this team decided to install a rain garden at the end of their school’s courtyard. This location was ideal for their rain garden as the water from their school’s parking lot often ended up in this area. Plants native to Colorado were planted in the garden. These plants require little water to thrive making them sustainable for the area and will play a vital role for pollinators. Within the first summer of completing this project, water has already filled this rain garden! This team hopes to incorporate some educational activities in the near future for the elementary students to utilize and learn at the rain garden. With their project, Jacob, Elijah, Malachi, and Jack contributed to Targets 6.3 and 15.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sketch of rain garden, students digging out rain garden by school, finish rain garden by school

Seed Bombs and Pots for Seniors

Greeley Central High School, Greeley, Colorado, USA

Leighann Silvernail from Greeley Central High School was aware that pollinator habitats have been declining and wanted to do something about it. Leighann worked with their environmental club to give peers the opportunity to build seed bombs and paint terracotta pots during earth week. This event was strategically organized to give students the opportunity to socialize with one another after a difficult year with COVID-19. The seed bombs contained native wildflower seeds encased in pulverized paper. When the seed bombs were complete, students took them home along with an informational flyer describing how to plant and maintain the seed bombs so they would hopefully bloom –benefitting pollinators. The painted terracotta plants, that were to include basil plants grown in upcycled plastic containers, were donated to seniors at a local senior home. This project allowed students to artistically express themselves through the painting of terracotta pots, create seed bombs that would benefit pollinators, enjoy an opportunity to socialize with peers, and gift seniors a decoration piece for their room that would further benefit pollinators by contributing to better air quality. Leighann’s project addressed Targets 12.5 and 15.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Round seed bombs sitting on newspaper, terracotta painted pots sitting on table

Pollinator Planters

Greeley West High School, Greeley, Colorado, USA

Through their environmental class, Joselly Vazquez and Gabriella Lam from Greeley West High School learned about the impacts housing development has had on pollinators. Pollinators play a vital role creating and maintaining ecosystems that many animals depend on whether it’s for food and/or shelter. Almost 80% of our food and plant-based industrial products require pollination by animals. Flowering plants also play a crucial role in watersheds as they help purify water, prevent erosion, and return moisture to the atmosphere. The population of pollinators, especially bees, are decreasing due to habitat loss from increased development –and development in Greeley is continuing to grow rapidly. If local pollinators are affected, the food chain along with water quality will be compromised. To address this concern, Joselly and Gabriella upcycled filing cabinets from their school and turned them into pollinator planters which were then installed around their new school building. Joselly and Gabriella provided habitat and food source for pollinators while also preventing some filing cabinets from being thrown into the landfill. Their project contributed to Targets 6.3, 12.5, and 15.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Recycled filing cabinet with pollinator plants in them, planters positioned outside of school, students posing