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Oak Grove Elementary is the recipient of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Teacher of the Year Grant. The grant will be used for the Birdsong Nature Trail 30th Anniversary Project.
On Earth Day in 1992, the Birdsong Nature Trail was dedicated to the memory of Oak Grove students Brian and Laura Birdsong, who died in a plane crash in Brunswick, GA in 1991. In the almost 30 years since the dedication, the nature trail has become overgrown in some areas and non-native plants like English Ivy, privet and nandina have taken over. The timbers lining the trail have decayed in many places making it difficult to determine where the trail ends and the natural areas begin. We will rededicate the Birdsong Nature Trail in April of 2022, having completed a restoration/habitat rehabilitation project that improves the area for our native plants and wildlife, as well as students, educators and community members. Fourth graders added a rock pile and bird feeder to the Birdsong Nature Trail as part of the NWF Wildlife Certification project.
Third graders learned about the adaptations that invasive/non-native plants can have. They learned how invasive plants spread, and then played the game "Spread", which illustrates how quickly Hedera helix (English Ivy) can take over natural areas.
Fifth graders will be assessing the biodiversity of the nature trail habitat as well as identifying and classifying the different plants and fungi. They were introduced to the project by playing the Project Wild game Oh Deer!, and then discussed factors that may be causing habitat loss on the Birdsong Nature Trail. Students will also create plant labels with common and scientific names, and if the plant is native or non-native.
Fourth graders learned about mayapple in the woodland habitat, planted some mayapple rhizomes where invasive ivy used to be, and did some mayapple inspired creative writing.
Mayapples have emerged in areas once covered in English Ivy!
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THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY DONORS
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In the Project Wild lesson, What's That, Habitat?, fourth graders identified their own basic needs and then learned more about habitat components and what animals need to survive. During the project, students will be assessing what components need to be added to the nature trail in order to receive the NWF's Schoolyard Habitat designation. They will also be adding native plants, nesting boxes and other elements beneficial to wildlife.
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Click here for the NWF checklist |