Old Trail School Kindergarten students have successfully created a Certified Schoolyard Habitat® through the National Wildlife Foundation’s Garden for Wildlife program. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization.

Old Trail School has joined with more than 5,000 schools nationwide that have transformed their schoolyards into thriving wildlife habitats that provide essential elements needed by all wildlife – natural food sources, clean water, cover and places to raise young. The habitat also serves as an outdoor education site where students can engage in cross-curricular learning in a hands-on way.

Students transformed an area right outside their classroom windows at the urging of Head of School, John Farber. “I wanted to challenge the children to think about how this great little area could become a wildlife habitat. They did research then created a plan to use the trees, big green plants, berries, rocks and pinecones to create their own habitat. It was amazing to see such young children collaborate on such an important and fun lesson,” said Farber.

Students used natural items as well as other materials (re-purposed from other uses) to make bird baths, bird feeders and bird houses. In addition to birds, the students hope that the habitat attracts mammals (deer, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, etc.), spiders and insects, amphibians, worms, snails and slugs.

Students shared their new habitat with the School community as well as parents, grandparents and special friends the week of November 7.

National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.