The Environmental Club at Springton Lake Middle School recently took part in a hands-on project to support local ecology by planting approximately 20 native shade trees along the school’s forested perimeter.
The after-school club was joined by Jim Jordan and Brian Winslow from the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. Both experts in water conservation and environmental education, they led the students in learning how to properly plant and care for young trees.
The event was made possible through a collaboration with local and national environmental organizations. The school received native plants from Wild Ones, a national organization dedicated to promoting native plant species, as well as support from local groups including Julie Smith from the MediaGreen Wagon Project and Transition Town Greater Media. Smith, who has previously spoken to students about ecological restoration, also contributed to the day’s event.
Educational Demonstrations and Tree Care Tips
During the event, Jordan and Winslow provided a demonstration on how to plant saplings, using tree tubes and stakes to encourage vertical growth and protect the trees from deer damage. The students learned that deer can harm young trees by eating their leaves and twigs, or by rubbing their antlers on the tree trunks.
Given the area’s recent fall drought, the students took extra care to water the planting holes both before and after planting. Fall is considered the best time for tree planting, as the cooler weather allows the trees to establish roots while dormant during the winter months, ensuring they’re ready to survive summer heat with minimal watering.
Rebuilding the Forest Ecosystem
The trees were planted in open spaces where dead white ash trees had once stood. These trees had been decimated by an infestation of the invasive emerald ash borer. In response, the students planted a variety of native trees, shrubs, and flowers to restore a healthy habitat for local wildlife.
The Environmental Club is also responsible for creating a vegetable garden and a native habitat and pollinator garden, which are located next to the school’s outdoor cafeteria area.
Ongoing Environmental Initiatives
This tree-planting project is just one of many initiatives led by the Environmental Club in past years. Other efforts have included:
Collecting plastic bags from the student body, which were upcycled into a park bench made by Trex, now located in the school’s garden area.
Setting up a “Share Table” in the cafeteria, allowing students to donate unwanted food to others or to the local food bank.
Promoting community environmental efforts through posts on the club’s social media channels, connecting with other environmentally conscious individuals.
By working together and engaging in hands-on conservation activities, the students are actively contributing to the health of their local environment while learning valuable lessons about sustainability and ecological stewardship.
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