Ayona2010
Registered: August 2012 City/Town/Province: Ann Arbor Posts: 1
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Our Youth Environment project goals are to interest and educate the children of the community about native plants, shrubs, and grasses in and around our wetlands by identifying, planting, and nurturing them.
We are mentoring children ages 5-14 in such horticultural tasks as removing invasive plant species, and replacing them with native trees, grasses and plants. In addition, the children are learning to identify and care for the native plants surrounding the wetland area. Thus, over the course of time the children are learning to appreciate and respect their community’s natural resources. The city has urged us to plant native plants around our pond to purify the run-off from our buildings and parking spaces.
Upon completion of the project, maintaining the natural areas will become a yearly task, and part of our summer youth program. In addition, we are also working to create a nature path. This past summer 18 kids worked a combined 200 hours of outdoor restoration work voluntarily; they are learning promptness, concentration, work skills, and that one might earn a living with horticultural skills. This project was a learning experience for me as well. Youth of various backgrounds found a common interest in something that can leave a positive footprint in our environment.
Through this project, at-risk children of the community can look forward to being part of a positive, healthy, and social learning adventure. Thank you for considering my request.
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