2.4 Habitat Restoration
#1 Build and Maintain Native Gardens
Sparrows Point students are actively involved in the design, build, and maintenance of native gardens on campus.
Sparrows Point students are actively involved in the design, build, and maintenance of native gardens on campus.
- During the Spring of 2017 a very large native plant garden was installed using a grant received from the BCPS Education Foundation as an award for our Clean Green efforts. Students learned about the importance of native plants and then competed to design a plant layout for one section of the garden. Several classes of students worked for weeks to build and plant this garden. The garden is maintained by SPHS students. During the Fall of 2019, students completed the paperwork to certify the garden as a Certified Butterfly Garden. We received certification January 2020 and will place the signage when we return to school. The garden has provided excellent opportunities for learning and the neighbors love it.
- That very same year our school won a native plant garden through the Subaru Loves the Earth initiative. We received enough plants to plant a 4' x 16' garden. Students decided these plants would beautify the sign in from of our school.
- In May 2018, two additional native plant gardens were planted alongside several raised vegetable garden beds. These gardens were planted with native plants cultivated in our other native plant gardens.
- We have several other native gardens that were planted in conjunction with the middle school May 31, 2014. Our students mulch, weed, and use these gardens to cultivate new gardens each year. Additional, native plant beds were included with the installation of the vegetable gardens.
#2 Improve habitat for wildlife
- In students built a bug hotel and placed it adjacent to our native garden. The hotel is monitored and maintained by students.
- During the winter of 2019, students built butterfly houses and bird houses. The houses will be installed when we return to campus.
- During the fall and winter of 2019-2020, students were in the process of gaining approval for a new bluebird trail to replace our current trail that was built several years ago. Most of the bird houses have been removed and the few that remain are in a state of disrepair.
- Students maintain the pond in our courtyard. This pond acts as a water source for many birds, amphibians, small mammals, and an occasional turtle.
- The Science National Honor Society frequently holds fundraising activities to raise money for the Chesapeake Bay foundation and other organizations instrumental in the restoration of habitats. For one project the students sold leaves during the lunch shift. Students could buy the leaves and place notes on them helping to heighten awareness for the environment.