2022-2023 Finalists
Plastic Pollution, Composting, and General Recycling – Rachel Carson Middle School
Conquering the issue of plastic pollution and lack of composting and recycling in our local community.
Attracting Native Animals to the Creek – Jamestown Elementary School
We plan to install nesting boxes and insect hotels to attract native animals to use the creek near our school and county park.
Eradicating Invasive Plants – Herndon Elementary School
We are planning on eradicating invasive plants to replant native plants and fruit bushes.
Stopping the Spread with Boot Brushes – Jamestown Elementary School
We want to help prevent the spread of invasive species in our community by installing 5 boot brushes and 7 signs explaining how to use them and why they are important.
Our Littering Footprint – Eastern Middle School
Students will create a 15 minute documentary to educate fellow students at Eastern and other MCPS middle Schools about the impact of littering on the Chesapeake Bay. After the documentary is shown, student viewers will be given an opportunity to sign a pledge to stop littering.
Monarch Butterfly Action Plan – Herndon Elementary School
We want to create a Monarch Butterfly Garden Sanctuary at our school to help increase Monarch Butterfly Populations in our area.
More Energy Conservation, Less Global Warming – Rachel Carson Middle School
Our idea is to have Meatless Mondays which will conserve energy that is taken by the meat industry. Another idea is to encourage community and school libraries to have conservation kits.
Eel Restoration – Mifflin County High School
This project focuses on reestablishing American Eel populations in Kish Creek, with the aim of helping to restore native habitats and populations of organisms. Eel are a keystone species that will help reduce invasive crayfish populations, increase native mussel populations and help to improve the quality of the water.
MCHS Revitalizes Recycling – Mifflin County High School
MCHS Environmental Science students generated a plan to revitalize the (practically non-existent) recycling program at our school, aiming to accommodate plastics and aluminum recycling in addition to the paper recycling. It combines a plan to educate the student body, change procedures and improve access for all students.
Demonstration Garden – Caroline Middle School
Students want to create demonstration gardens at our school to show sustainable garden practices including garden set up, plant selection, and rain water use.
2022-2023 Special Recognition Projects
Blair Middle School Environmental Club - “Be part of the solution, stop the pollution”
Blair Middle School wants to do their part in keeping our Chesapeake Bay Watershed clean. We want to keep our storm water drains free from trash to prevent clogging and reduce pollution. Our Environmental Club would like to have designated trash cans placed outside our school. We would like to continue cleaning up around our school 3 times per month.
Jamestown Elementary School - Interpreting the Importance of Natives
We want to design and print interpretative signs to educate our community about the issue of invasive species, how to remove and prevent them, and what type of native plants can be planted to replace them. We will place them along the new stepping stone path being installed at our school's new native plant garden, which we will advocate to help design.
The Hague School - Butterfly Garden to Benefit Biodiversity
We will plant and maintain a sustainable pollinator garden in our school yard, supported by collected rainwater and school compost. The pollinators from our garden will bolster the vegetation surrounding the nearby body of water to improve the local ecosystem.
Eastern Middle School - Rain Gardens Save the Bay for Future Days: Runoff Control
Students will install a rain garden at Eastern Middle School to reduce runoff carrying litter into Sligo Creek. Students also will create a 3-hour workshop to educate other MCPS middle school communities about the uses of a rain garden and how to make a rain garden.
Farmwell Station Middle School - Young Naturalist Club's Saving Our Watershed
Rachel Carson Middle School - Monarch Butterfly Waystation
This proposal focuses on the importance of Native Perennials, the rain garden, and pollinators such as monarch butterflies, due to their massive role in the ecosystem. Due to this, this proposal establishes some key points, and emphasizes actions such as educating people, creating designated areas for plants, and maintaining all of this for the future.
Download the SY 22-23 Chesapeake Bay Caring for Our Watersheds Toolkit now to get started!
The program is a project of Nutrien in partnership with nonprofit organizations around the world. Earth Force is proud to be the host of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Caring for Our Watersheds.