In an effort to fulfill our school’s pledge to plant trees for each Christmas tree sold at our December fundraiser, Salmonberry’s intermediate class made a journey to San Juan Island to continue our work with the San Juan County Land Bank. The SJCLB is engaged with its largest habitat restoration project in the Beaverton Valley Marsh. This area which has been largely used as cattle pasture for the past fifty years has the potential to return to one of the few significant wetland areas in the islands.
Salmonberry kids worked tirelessly despite the muddy conditions. We laid down cardboard and hauled and spread wood-chip mulch around the base of each plant, and protected each planting with a protective plastic ring and bamboo stake, as voles and other rodents tend to browse on the bark of the young saplings.
Hands-on field experiences like this help the kids to understand and embrace their potential role as stewards of the earth and deepen their connection to place.
Oh, Boys.
