|
| |
Lower Southampton Schoolyard Habitat#131
Pond News
Adding a Pond Study Area
Lower Southampton Elementary is happy to announce a new addition to our schoolyard habitat. Thanks to grants received from Neshaminy Superintendent’s Mini Grant, Neshaminy Education Foundation and SHOPA Foundation for Educational Excellence and the Lower Southampton PTA., a new pond area was added this spring. Students will be able to visit the pond area and learn how to observe plants and animals in the pond habitat. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn how plants and animals depend on each other to survive.
The corner by room 11 was chosen for the pond area. Many hours of work were needed to prepare the area for the pond. Shrubs were overgrown and plants needed to be replanted in other areas of the habitat. Work on the pond area began in April 2001.
The Lower Southampton Elementary Children’s Environmental Outreach (CEO) group met after school to help begin with pond area cleanup. Everyone worked together to dig the grass and prepare the ground.
Sticks were gathered, and the garden beds were cleaned up.
Many CEO members stayed after school and volunteered their time to help maintain the habitat. Everyone worked together to prepare for the
pond.
Dr. Muenker helped to remove the mulberry tree. We will miss the little mulberry tree, but we already have a new tree growing.
Removing the mulberry tree was necessary to develop a walking area to the pond.
Mrs. Bauer had a hard time watching as the mulberry tree was cut down. She will miss the little tree, but not as much as our resident little gray squirrels.
Mrs. Debbie Sheridan, PTA president, volunteered many hours after school to help build the pond.
Tom, a fifth grade student, volunteered his recess time to move in topsoil to build the pond area.
Justin volunteered his recess time to move in topsoil. Everyone at Lower South is very proud of the students who take the time to help their school.
The three layer pond forms were moved in and placed in position.
The top of the pond begins with a cascade of water and travels to three lower levels. Each level will be pumped through the system and cascade once again from the top.
After the pond forms were in place, shrubs and plants were planted. Once again, with the help of many volunteers, mulch was moved in around the plants.
Large shrubs were trimmed and more mulch was moved into the area.
An arbor invites visitors to the pond area.
Students helped Dr. Muenker and Mrs. Sheridan make measurements for the new fence around the pond area.
The new pond is now ready for new visitors. We will enjoy watching the pond change over the summer and during the seasons. Fish and water plants were added to the pond. If you look carefully, you will also be able to see a frog or maybe even two!
The finished pond garden will offer many wonderful opportunities for the students at Lower Southampton Elementary to learn about a pond ecosystem and learn some of the Pennsylvania State Standards in Environment and Ecology.
The pond garden will be a quiet learning place to sit and listen quietly to the sounds of nature. It will be a learning place to observe how plants and animals learn to live together in a pond ecosystem.
Because of the generous support of SHOPA and Ames Department Stores, Neshaminy Superintendent’s Mini Grant, Neshaminy Education Foundation and the Lower Southampton PTA, our National Wildlife Schoolyard Habitat continues to grow with the addition of our new pond study area.
Working together can make a difference.
Lower Southampton Elementary
National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat #131
Pond Ecosystem Study Area
Spring 2001
|
