How can increasing biodiversity in a food-producing landscape affect the relationships among plants, animals, soil, water, and people?
This is the driving question behind the first phase of this project where RiverStewards is working with a local elementary school teacher, SC Wharton, and her students on designing, installing, observing and monitoring a native riparian food forest.
With this initial funding from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Environmental Education program, this project will be part of SC’s dissertation as she pursues her Doctorate in Sustainability Education.
Students who are part of the school’s ECO club, led by SC, will be participating in this project where they will be restoring 100 sq. ft. of riparian habitat at Millport Conservancy in Lititz, PA. They will be utilizing the Miyawaki planting method, which utilizes small spaces to maximize native reforestation methods that will increase native plant density and biodiversity; and improve soil structure and moisture retention. To encourage a “food forest”, native species with culinary and medicinal properties will be selected – such as river birch, pawpaw, serviceberry, wild strawberry, spicebush, elderberry, etc.
The goal of this project is to establish a long-term ecological monitoring site that will continue to be used in schools and throughout the community to:
- Strengthen watershed literacy
- Increase student understanding of native vs. invasive species
- Build field science skills (soil testing, biodiversity observation, mapping)
- Develop student environmental stewardship identities
Do you have kids that would enjoy participating in this program? Click this link to ECO Club’s flyer to learn how to get them involved: ECO Club Flyer
Just interested in learning more about ECO Club and it’s progress so far? Click this link to learn more: ECO Club Guide