The Problem
RES has a Turtle Habitat which currently houses approximately 14 tortoises. We want to maintain the health and safety of those animals and attract more wildlife.
Our Plan
We are adding bird and bug houses, watering stations, and bird feeders. We would like to add more native plants and pollinator flowers for the benefit of all in the habitat.
Themes Addressed
-
Community
![term icon]()
-
Education
![term icon]()
-
Pollinators
![term icon]()
-
Wildlife
![term icon]()
The Benefit
-
People
![term icon]()
-
Animals
![term icon]()
-
Environment
![term icon]()
Here is how the project went:
It is a work in progress! We were able to purchase 2 birdhouses, a bug and butterfly hotel, a bird feeder, birdseed, perennial wildflower seed, reptile food, and signs/flags about "Leaving the Leaves" and not using pesticides.
Through this project I/we learned:
The volunteers are made up of students, their families, and school staff. We enjoyed learning about the Eastern Box Turtles and sharing facts while working on the habitat. We learned about birds native to our area, and some students were able to share what birds they saw at the feeder. We researched for the future what we can do to control the mosquito population better, as we didn't want to use chemical sprays.
What I/we might change:
Because the habitat is part of a school, hours for volunteering in the habitat were limited. I do plan on continuing this project and plan to focus on creating a specific list for volunteers to follow regarding what needs to be accomplished.
My/our favorite part of this project was:
It was amazing to see the different people come forward to volunteer and to share in their excitement about working on the habitat! It was fun to hear the laughter when a turtle poked their head out of a burrow or was seen scurrying towards the 'turtle pond' we created. I love the sense of community from our school family!
Some tips, tricks or fun facts about the project:
It takes a village! Be open about your ideas and be open to listening to others about theirs. Never stop learning, whether from an internet search or hearing about someone else's experiences!
