A band of local middle-school students has returned a wetlands-turneddumping-ground to its former fecund glory, drawing wildlife almost to the back steps of Treasure Mountain Middle School.
The 2-year-old project, dubbed "Kids for Creeks," is one of eight environmental efforts recognized nationally by the "Class Act" Environmental Challenge sponsored by Amway Corp. and Newsweek magazine. The distinction bears a $7,500 grant for continuation of the project, which competed against 400 others.The central feature of Treasure Mountain's project is Kids Creek, a meandering stream dug through several acres that for years had been a favorite dumping spot of contractors looking for a place to discard miscellaneous fill material.
Now the area serves as an outdoor classroom, says Anni Schneider, the science teacher who supervised the cleanup and restoration. A weather station has been installed on the grounds, and there are plans to build boarded walkways through the park. Kiosks will be erected to display student work, and an amphitheater is in the plans. Several ponds have been refilled after being empty for years.
"They brought back the waters that once flowed next to our school property," Principal Karla Hunt said.
"Occasionally now we get moose wandering down from the hillsides," said Schneider, adding that sandhill cranes and hawks are now common sights out the back door.
Other projects recognized around the country included student purchase of endangered woodlands, publication of environmental poetry and an earth-conscious cartoon strip and development of nature trails for the handicapped.
Schneider said the outdoor classroom is a useful tool in teach- ing stewardship of the land: "We want our children to take ownership of it so they won't bring their dogs down here or kill the snakes," she said.
As part of the national award, Schneider and two students from the school will take a paid vacation to Washington to attend a conference hosted by Vice President Al Gore. The Park City project was started on a $5,000 grant secured by Park City High School biology teacher Tony Winterer.