During the last four years, Mount View is proud to have restored habitat on school grounds and in our school community through the following projects created by students:
Monarch Waystation
(on school grounds) |
Backyard Bird Habitat
(on school grounds) |
Native Plant Gardens
(on school grounds) |
Honeybees Friendly Plants
(school community) |
Milkweed Restoration
(school community) |
Educational Garden
(on school grounds) |
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Green Team members working in the garden.
A student who regularly visited the monarch raising cages during his lunch shift was lucky enough to release a monarch into our garden.
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Backyard Birds
Students in the backyard birds committee of the ELT are working to restore the habitat of birds on school grounds and raise awareness of bird habitat loss. They have installed four different styles of bird feeders and one bird box on school property. The committee organizes an annual educational event to teach students how to get involved in the Backyard Bird Count. Participating in this event helps scientists to have more data on the changes in bird behavior and migration so that they can help the birds. |
Top 2 photos: ELT members fill the bird feeders.
Bottom left: a goldfinch visits a feeder (look closely to the right) Bottom right: ELT members figure out a new way to store seeds. Minutes kept by the committee members:
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Native Plant Gardens
Mount View has 2 native plant gardens in the front of the school that suffered a complete loss of plants when the front concrete and drainage system of the school was reconstructed during the summer of 2017. Students were able to get free plants through the Subaru Loves The Earth campaign and a budget request from the PTA. Now, there are more than 30 native plants, from black-eyed susans to beebalm. While working in the gardens, students observe plenty of wildlife such as butterflies, bees, toads, and birds. Students in the committee learn how native plants help restore original habitat for wildlife by providing food, shelter, and a balanced ecosystem. In addition, native plants help prevent invasive plants from unbalancing ecosystems and destroying habitat. |
Photos (clockwise from upper left):
Students planting in the first garden. Students planting in the second garden. A butterfly visits the garden. A screenshot of the kit received from the Subaru Loves The Earth kit. |
Honeybees
A group of students in G/T Research wanted to bring attention to the problems facing honey bees and increase the number of bee friendly plants in the Mount View community. They spent a year researching the problems facing honeybees and then designed an educational seminar where students could learn about bees, make origami newspaper pots, and plant seeds for bee friendly plants. They went to STEM nights at local schools to inform the community about planting pollinator friendly plants and to give away seeds. |
Screenshots of the educational slideshow created by the students.
Research conducted by the students showing that Mount View families were interested in planting bee friendly plants in their yard.
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Milkweed Restoration
In an effort to increase milkweed habitat for monarch butterflies, students in the ELT organized a swamp milkweed sale for community members. They created announcements for our TV show and a sales booth for our Enrichment Fair. They kept track of orders, and more than 60 plants were purchased by families in the community! People who purchased plants were asked to share photos of the monarchs on their plants in the fall. |
An ELT member waits for people to pick up the milkweed that they purchased, and the milkweed delivery!
A staff member who bought milkweed plants for her home shares photos of caterpillars, so that students know the project worked.
A family responds to our request asking for updates on their milkweed, so that we know if the sale was effective.
A student, Eric E., sent us a photo of a monarch on the milkweed at his house.
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Educational Garden
In May 2019, Mount View will have an educational garden for students and families to learn about native plants, wildlife, and habitat restoration. The garden will have sections for turtles, humming and song birds, beneficial bugs, bees, and butterflies. In addition, it will showcase how native plants are beneficial for wildlife and habitat restoration. Teachers across all three grades have committed to teaching various lessons in the garden. |
Research by one of the committee members showing that families want to know more about including native plants in their garden.
Screenshots of some of the the slideshow created by the students and used for approval of the garden showing the lessons teachers have agreed to teach in the garden.
The final draft of the garden plan created by students.
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