Once it was a health hazard. The 70' X 110' city block was once a deserted rockpile - an eyesore for the entire community to endure.
Our Habitat Story
The Habitat Program
My Backyard Habitat
Animals In My Yard
Measuring Our Success
In Closing
Governor Graves' Letter
Our Habitat Story
We worked hard to lift and carry away the rocks and to fill the area with purchased dirt and dirt donated by neighbors and the city. Together we have worked to create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. The local newspaper, the Fort Scott Tribune, provided information about our habitat and how to get more information about becoming involved in the project. Several people contacted us in the community for more information and more people seem to be feeding the birds. We are proud of our accomplishment and provide habitat information globally on our website. Our habitat project has been featured in KIDS F.A.C.E. newsletter too.
The Habitat Program
We discovered the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program through The National Wildlife Federation's web site. They indicate that habitat restoration is critical for wildlife in urban and suburban settings where commercial and residential development infringe on natural areas that wildlife need in order to thrive. The habitat program goal is for groups and individuals to provide wildlife food, water, cover and places to raise young in their yard, patio or balcony. The size is not what is important, rather, we learned it was the outcome.
My Backyard Habitat
I like animals and wanted to see what I could do to help. My family bought an empty lot. It was full of rocks and brush. I helped pick up all of the rocks. Mom used some of the rocks for borders for flowerbeds. We had big trucks come and bring dirt. I threw out grass and clover seed. I helped plant flowers and trees. Now the birds and animals have cover, shelter and a place to raise their young. I contacted Kansas Wildlife Department to get more information. Then I made posters and put them up at the library to tell people how to help animals. I even wrote to Governor Graves and told him what I was doing. He wrote back too! I hope my work gets other people to help too.
By Samantha
Animals In My Yard
I like to look at birds and frogs and squirrels through my bedroom window. I like putting pecans in my wagon for woodpeckers and squirrels. Sometimes I see bunnies when I go outside to play. I like to plant flowers for bees and butterflies and moths. I pick up the yard so animals can have a clean place to live. I like to watch the animals.
By Nicole
Measuring Our Success
The best measure of our success is that both students understand that they have the ability to make an impact on "their space." The project was accomplished with help from neighbors and from the city. It has made an impact as what was once unsafe and a health hazard to all is now a growing ecosystem for wildlife.
It is exciting to see our Wildlife Habitat project is catching on! Our Mayor and Council are interested in building a Backyard Wildlife Habitat at our Community Center. Samantha wrote to the Kansas Forest Service to find out how we can get trees for our city. We received information from them that will help us get trees for our Backyard Habitat and get trees for the city's project. We plan to register our 50 trees with the "One in a Million" tree planting campaign.
Here we are with two elm trees we are going to register with the "One in a Million" tree planting campaign. (Our little sister is helping too.)
In Closing
The pecans and walnuts never go to waste. We take what we need in the fall and leave the rest for wildlife. The squirrels in our yard are always fat. We learned that birds will also pick up the pecans in the winter and fly up high dropping the nuts to the ground. The pecans crack open providing a winter treat!
We changed a deserted rockpile into a a place where birds and animals live. There is always something going on and something to look foreward to. In winter we look foreward to the crocuses blooming. In spring we look foreward to the orioles. In summertime we look foreward to the butterflies and in fall we look foreward to the pecans falling and the squirrels and birds feasting. There is always something new.
By Samantha
Governor Graves' Letter
Dear Nicole and Samantha:
Thank you for your recent letters regarding your concerns about wildlife and the environment in Kansas. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts with me.
A healthy environment is a concern to all Kansans. We are fortunate in that we enjoy one of the richest and most diverse states in the union. We are blessed with fertile farmland, fresh air, and a diverse wildlife population.
Preservation of our natural resources is a priority for my Administration. I want to leave our children and grandchildren a state that is viable and productive. I believe education is the key. We must provide Kansans with accurate information and solutions on how to conserve what we have and minimize waste.
Thank you again for your letters and for taking the time to write. I appreciate the letters I receive from young people who are trying to improve the world in which they live.
Sincerely,
BILL GRAVES
Governor
The Backyard Habitat Program is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. Information used about Backyard Habitats was obtained from their website. Appropriately a hyperlink to the site is included.
For more information about the "One in a Million" tree planting campaign please follow the hyperlink to the web site.
© Copyright 1998 The Hendrix Home School
